Ambassadors and representatives of 28 countries in Europe, Latin America, Africa and elsewhere gathered on Wednesday at the Colombian Embassy in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, to promote awareness of the destructive consequences of landmines and other explosive remnants of war.
April 4 was designated International Mine Awareness Day by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005. Since 2011, a Colombian NGO has promoted a "lend your leg" campaign on that day. Participants roll up a pant leg or sleeve to call attention to landmine issues and express solidarity with victims. The Slovenian Embassy, whose government has actively promoted demining and assistance to victims, cohosted the event.
Colombian Ambassador Gabriel Duque delivered a speech to about 50 guests, saying, "In raising awareness of the need to keep working toward the elimination of landmines from our planet, it is essential to highlight the role of international cooperation." Participants then rolled up their pant legs or sleeves for commemorative photos.
Colombia was previously one of the countries most affected by mines due to its conflicts with rebel groups, such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Such guerilla groups often placed landmines in remote or mountainous areas to protect their territory.
According to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines -- Cluster Munition Coalition (ICBL-CMC), 2,269 people were killed and another 9,201 wounded by mines or explosive remnants in the country between 1990 and 2016. The Colombian government reached a peace agreement with FARC in 2016 and aims to clear all mines by 2021.
ICBL-CMC says at least 2,089 people were killed and another 6,491 injured by mines or other explosive remnants worldwide in 2016 -- an average of 23 a day. Civilians accounted for 78 percent of victims. Among these civilians, 42 percent were aged under 18.
In fiscal 2016, the Japanese government donated about 41 million dollar for landmine and other explosives-related initiatives in 21 countries, including Colombia and the Gaza Strip.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
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