Nonetheless, the grim statistic is simply the floor of a bigger disaster, unbiased human rights consultants warned on Friday, because the army junta intensifies its assaults on civilians, together with individuals with disabilities.
“The junta is doubling the affect of its in depth use of landmines to crush nationwide resistance,” mentioned Tom Andrews, Particular Rapporteur on Myanmar, and Heba Hagrass Particular Rapporteur on the rights of individuals with disabilities.
They highlighted egregious violations, together with forcing civilians to stroll by minefields forward of army models and systematically denying victims entry to life-saving support akin to medical care and prosthetics.
These actions, they emphasised, are “completely opposite” to worldwide legal guidelines, together with Article 11 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and UN Security Council resolution 2475 on defending individuals with disabilities in conflict.
Kids most affected
The affect of landmines and unexploded ordnance is especially extreme on Myanmar’s youngsters, with UNICEF data launched earlier this 12 months revealing that over 20 per cent of the 1,052 verified civilian casualties from such incidents in 2023 had been youngsters.
This was a big rise from 2022, when 390 incidents had been recorded.
Kids are notably susceptible to landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), usually unable to recognise their risks.
As well as, the indiscriminate placement of those lethal weapons in and round properties, colleges, playgrounds, and farming areas, places youngsters at fixed danger.
A baby who misplaced his left leg after by accident stepping on a landmine in his household’s paddy fields in central Myanmar.
Victims dealing with criminalisation
The results for landmine victims prolong past bodily accidents.
Amputees, already grappling with life-altering trauma, are being criminalised by the junta, which associates lacking limbs with resistance exercise.
“Now amputees are being compelled into hiding to keep away from harassment and arrest. Dropping a limb is being seen as proof of against the law,” the consultants mentioned.
Actuality far worse
Amidst the dire image, the truth is even worse for landmine victims and their households.
“I used to be heartbroken speaking with a younger girl who had misplaced her leg after stepping on a landmine close to her dwelling,” Mr. Andrews mentioned.
“However I used to be infuriated when her physician advised me that she had no hope of securing a prosthesis as a result of junta forces had been blocking entry to the supplies mandatory to construct one,” he added.
Name for motion
Mr. Andrews and Ms. Hagrass urged UN Member States to take coordinated measures to weaken the army junta’s means to hurt civilians.
Additionally they referred to as on all events to the battle in Myanmar to right away cease laying landmines and start eradicating them immediately.
Particular Rapporteurs are unbiased human rights consultants, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council as a part of its Special Procedures. They’re mandated to observe and report on particular thematic points or nation conditions and work on a voluntary foundation.
They serve of their particular person capability, will not be UN workers and don’t obtain a wage.
