Landmine victims gather to protest US decision to supply Ukraine / Photo: TANG CHHIN Sothy - AFP
Landmine victims gather to protest US decision to supply Ukraine
Landmine victims from across the world gathered at a conference in Cambodia on Tuesday to protest the United States' decision to give landmines to Ukraine, with Kyiv's delegation expected to report at the meet.
More than 100 protesters lined the walkway taken by delegates to the conference venue in Siem Reap where countries are reviewing progress on the the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty.
"Look what antipersonnel landmines will do to your people," read one placard held by two landmine victims.
Alex Munyambabazi, who lost a leg to a landmine in northern Uganda in 2005, said he "condemned" the decision by the US to supply antipersonnel mines to Kyiv as it battles Russian forces.
"We are tired. We don't want to see any more victims like me, we don't want to see any more suffering," he told AFP.
"Every landmine planted is a child, a civilian, a woman, who is just waiting for their legs to be blown off, for his life to be taken.
"I am here to say we don't want any more victims. No excuses, no exceptions."
Washington's announcement last week that it would send anti-personnel landmines to Kyiv was immediately criticised by human rights campaigners.
Ukraine is a signature to the treaty. The United States and Russia are not.
Ukraine using the US mines would be in "blatant disregard for their obligations under the mine ban treaty," said Tamar Gabelnick, director of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.
"These weapons have no place in today’s warfare," she told AFP.
"[Ukraine's] people have suffered long enough from the horrors of these weapons."
A Ukrainian delegation was present at the conference on Tuesday, and it was expected to present its report on progress in clearing mines on its territory.
P.Rossi--IM
