Chin rebels agree not to use landmines

Mungpi
Mizzima News: 10 August, 2006 

Given the long term negative impact of the use of anti-personnel mines in conflict zones and the international campaign against it, the Chin National Front, ethnic armed rebel group in Burma, last week made a commitment to ban the use of mines.

Thomas Thangnou, Chairman of the CNF told Mizzima, "We have agreed to abide by this commitment in view of the long term consequences that mines have. Mines know no friend or foe and have no boundaries."

Responding to Geneva Call's efforts to eliminate the use of anti-personnel mines, the CNF on July 31, signed the Deed of Commitment to effectively ban the use of anti-personnel mines.

The CNF, formed in 1988, has been fighting against the Burmese military junta for self-determination rights. Thomas admitted that the group has used anti-personnel mines since the beginning of its resistance movement.

"We have seen that mines have killed our enemies as well as innocent villagers and even our troops. And we realize that the impact of mine explosions go far beyond killing enemy soldiers," said Thomas.

Katherine Kramer, Geneva Call's Programme Director for Asia told Mizzima that the total ban on the use of landmines is in line with the principles of international humanitarian law.

The use of landmines could be hazardous to the environment and could jeopardize the lives of people even after peace is ushered in.

"Landmines do not know ceasefire agreements," Krammer added.

Though the CNF has agreed to remain committed to its signature, the Burmese military junta, which is reportedly stepping up its occupation in Burma's western state of Chin, has not signed the Geneva Call's deed of commitment.

"We have limited capacity but we do not rely only on landmines to fight our enemy [Burmese junta]. We are more concerned about the lives of innocent people whom the landmines have put at risk," said Thomas.

Close on the heels of the CNF, the Kuki National Organisation, comprising a number of armed factions operating in India's northeastern state of Manipur on August 9 signed an agreement to ban the use of landmines.