Mine Action Day: Global campaigns call for an end to the use of landmines and cluster munitions

A mother holds an image of her daughters Piou and Paeng, both victims of a cluster bomblet explosion. 10-year-old Piou did not survive the explosion; her 15-year-old sister was heavily injured. / Image: Giovanni Diffidenti

Today, 4 April, is the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (Mine Action Day). Members of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) in close to 50 countries around the world today are calling on states to put an end to the use of landmines and cluster munitions immediately and to address their deadly legacy.

“The use of both these banned weapons recently by Syrian government forces, causing large numbers of civilian casualties, clearly demonstrates why these weapons are being consigned to the ash heap of history,” said Sylvie Brigot-Vilain, Executive Director of the ICBL-CMC. “The remaining hold-out countries should join the two treaties comprehensively banning these weapons now,” she added.

To push for more action by states, ICBL and CMC campaigners from Afghanistan to Zambia have organised public outreach events from 1 March to 4 April as part of global “Lend Your Leg” activities.

To take part or find out more go to www.icbl.org/index.php/icbl/Home-Elements/Key-Issues/LYL2013

Read the press release here.

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