Australian Landmine Action Week Launched —

(Friday 07 May 2004 Australia) This month Landmine Action Week is to be launched Australia-wide in a joint initiative of the Australian Network of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (AN-ICBL) and AUSTCARE (Australians Caring for Refugees).

This month Landmine Action Week is to be launched Australia-wide in a joint initiative of the Australian Network of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (AN-ICBL) and AUSTCARE (Australians Caring for Refugees).

Landmine Action Week, 14 - 23 May 2004, aims to raise Australian community awareness of landmine issues, urge the Australian government to renew its commitment to mine action over the next decade, acknowledge and promote Australia's commitment to mine action, and raise funds to continue to assist people affected by landmines in developing countries.

Landmines continue to kill or main between 15,000 and 20,000 people every year, almost all of whom are innocent civilians. Landmines impede the delivery of humanitarian aid and indiscriminately punish people struggling for the survival of their families after conflict. Landmines also pose huge economic and social burdens on developing countries even long after conflicts have ended.

"We can be proud that Australia was party to the Antipersonnel Mine Ban Treaty when it came into existence in 1997 and was ratified in January 1999," says Sr Patricia Pak Poy AM, Australian Coordinator of AN-ICBL. "Sadly, there is still much work to be done and we urge the Australian Government to renew its commitment to mine action by pledging a further $150 million over the next ten years."

Every hour it is estimated that one person is killed or maimed by landmines. Every Step Counts is the message of Landmine Action Week. Every signatory to the petition to the Australian Government is a positive step. Every dollar donated to support humanitarian demining and to assist landmine victims will make a difference.

According to the CEO of AUSTCARE, Major General Mike Smith AO (Ret): "Within Australia, AUSTCARE is at the forefront of landmine action and has a proud record of achievement in Cambodia, Angola, Bosnia, Mozambique and Afghanistan. AUSTCARE is keen to continue and extend our lifesaving work with the continuing support of the Australian community."
Australian freelance photographer, John Rodsted, whose photographs will feature in some public awareness and fund-raising events during Landmine Action Week, has seen the horrors of landmines first hand: "The human suffering and devastation caused by landmines is unspeakable, and can no longer be tolerated".

For more information, event details around Australia, visuals or to arrange interviews, please contact our website at www.landmine-action-week.org or contact

• Major General, Mike Smith, AUSTCARE, 0422 204 790
• Sr Patricia Pak Poy, AN-ICBL, 0418 284 358