Bosnia and Herzegovina & Landmines

(Friday 30 April 2004 ) Quick facts: the mine problem in BiH, how its being resolved and where to find more information.

The Situation:

• BiH is one of the most mine-affected countries in Europe with more than 2000 square kilometres suspected to be mine and UXO contaminated. In addition, new minefields are being discovered every year.
• The most mine-affected regions of BiH, in order of severity, are: 1) The Federation, 2) Brcko (a demilitarised and autonomous region of BiH), and 3) The Republic of Srpska.
• Although there are several university clinics, hospitals, health-centres, community rehabilitation programs and 8 prosthetic centres in the country, landmine casualties still may have to travel up to 150km to seek adequate treatment. High unemployment and lack of programs for socio-economic reintegration of survivors is a key concern for full implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty.
• The BiH Mine Action Centre, responsible for the coordination of all mine action on behalf of the government, stated it needs an additional EURO 324 million ($308 million US) to free BiH from the threat of mines. The BiH government has contributed to the funding in the past but there is still a heavy reliance on donor countries and the International Trust Fund.

Progress made:

• BiH became a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty in March 1999. BiH regularly attends Meeting of State Parties and intersessional meetings on the Mine Ban Treaty.
• BiH, as part of former Yugoslavia, was responsible for half of mine production in the country. All production ceased in 1995.
• Although last year there were 72 new mine casualties reported, this is a dramatic decrease from the previous year, which was on average 52 new casualties per month. This rate will likely continue to decrease.
• BiH’s stockpile of antipersonnel mines was destroyed in November 1999 although new mine caches are found frequently as part of the International Stabilisation Force’s (SFOR) “Operation Harvest”.
• Bosnian demining expertise is being exported to other mine-affected countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Find out more:

For other information on the landmine situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina:

• Go to http://www.icbl.org/imagelibrary/Around_the_World/Europe/Bosnia to view pictures of Bosnia
• Go to http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/423.php to view video of Norwegian Peoples Aid demining in Bosnia