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Site Admin <webmaster2@icbl.org> .
Monday 10 August 2009
The first map documenting the hazard posed by antipersonnel landmine contamination in Myanmar/Burma was issued by the UN in July 2009, based on data provided by Landmine Monitor. It represents a first small step by illustrating the extent of the country’s landmine problem in order to be able to address it more effectively.
The map was produced by the Myanmar Information Management Unit of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Yangon.
It reveals that 26 townships, in seven states and divisions, are mine-affected. The map does not result from technical survey, which is not currently possible due to ongoing armed conflict, and does not convey how extensive mine contamination is in any particular township.
The map is based on casualty data from January 2007 to June 2009 and on other information on mined areas from January 2008 to June 2009, both compiled by Landmine Monitor, the research and monitoring initiative of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.
Myanmar/Burma and Landmines
Myanmar/Burma is not party to the Mine Ban Treaty and is one of a handful of states still actively producing antipersonnel mines. It is one of only two states in the world to have used antipersonnel mines in recent years (the other one being Russia). Non-state armed groups in the country also use antipersonnel landmines. No humanitarian mine clearance programs exist in the country.
Atrocity Demining
According to Landmine Monitor, there has been evidence of civilians being forced by the military to clear brush in suspected mined areas, to carry provisions for the military in areas where there is a mine hazard, or to remove mines without training or protective equipment. “The ICBL strongly condemns these practices,” said Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan, a researcher and editor for Landmine Monitor.
Mine-Affected Townships
The Townships with Known Hazard of Antipersonnel Mines map lists as mine-affected the following townships:
• Kayin (Karen) state: Thandaung, Hlaingbwe, Hpapun, Myawady, Kyain Seikgyi, and Kawkareik;
• Kayah (Karenni) state: Mese, Hpasawang, Loikaw, and Demoso;
• Shan state: Mongpan, Mawkmai, Hsihseng, and Tachilek;
• Rakhine (Arakan) state: Maungdaw;
• Mon state: Thaton, Thanbyuzayat, and Ye;
• Bago (Pegu) division: Tantabin, Kyaukkyi, and Shwekyin; and
• Thanintharyi (Tenasserim) division: Thayetchaung, Thanintharyi, Dawei, Bokepyin, and Yebyu.
Download the map
Read more about landmines in Myanmar/Burma
