The legacy of landmines

Every 22 minutes someone is killed or injured by a mine

Some people call landmines silent killers, others say that they are a cruel legacy of war. No matter the name, their effect is horrendous. Every 22 minutes, one person is killed or wounded by these dangerous devices and many of these victims are children. ¹ “Mines may be described as fighters that never miss, strike blindly, do not carry weapons openly, and go on killing long after hostilities have ended,” a Red Cross delegate once said. “In short, mines are the greatest violators of international humanitarian law, and laying them is a monstrous form of terrorism.” ²

In October this year, medical students from several countries met in Sarajevo to take part in the International Student Conference Against Landmines. Organised by Bosnian medical students, the conference had two main aims: to increase the awareness among students about landmines and international humanitarian law and to provide the students with the necessary skills to work for the total ban of landmines worldwide.

There are over 110 million mines laid in over 60 countries. Mines cause injuries in two distinct patterns: either by direct blast or by penetration of multiple metal fragments. Those mines triggered by foot pressure wound by blast. The tissues of the foot are exploded or with a larger charge the lower leg is simply blown off. Damage is rarely limited to one leg; severe damage is frequently caused to the other leg, genitals, arms, chest, and face. Blast injuries involve severe shock through loss of blood, pain, heavy contamination with dirt and mud, and widespread contusion with thrombosis in small vessels leading to a high risk of gas gangrene.³

Many of the injured die within minutes before being transported to hospital, and often transport is not available. The less seriously injured who do reach hospital usually need traumatic amputation of part of a lower limb, well above the apparent extent of the injury. The victim of a fragmentation mine may not have the same bloody appearance of the victim of a blast mine. At casual inspection it may even seem minor but many tiny fragments often penetrate deep through the skin, muscles, and blood vessels causing internal damage which is difficult to repair and may lead to overwhelming infection and death.3

Since landmines are cheap to produce and easy to use, there are about two million new mines deployed in the world every year.⁴ At the same time, only 10 000 are removed from the ground and permanently destroyed. A single mine can be purchased for as little as £2 while it costs from £200 to £700 to find and remove one from the ground.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports, “A child injured at the age of 10 years, with a life expectancy of another 40 to 50 years, will need 25 appliances during his or her lifetime. At approximately £80 per prosthesis, this amounts to more than £2000. In countries where average per capita income £15 per month, it is easy to understand why most people can only afford crutches.” ⁵

In 1993, six non.governmental organisations joined together to begin campaigning against landmines. They formed the steering committee of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). Many individuals and organisations joined in or supported the ban. In 1997 the ICBL and its coordinator, Jody Williams, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The award came just weeks after more than 90 countries met in Oslo to draft an international treaty banning antipersonnel landmines—a treaty which was signed in Ottawa.

The Ottawa Treaty was adopted in December 1997 and was implemented in March 1999, quicker than any other major international treaty in history. However, although many countries have signed and ratified the treaty, the United States, Russia, China, and India did not sign. Some of them are world's main producers and exporters of antipersonnel landmines.

The ICBL has met one of its objectives through the Ottawa Treaty and has committed itself to insuring that the words of the treaty are turned into action by continuing to press the governments that have signed to ratify it. The ICBL is closely monitoring the implementation of the treaty so that it makes a real difference for those individuals and communities affected by landmines.

It is estimated that there are over 30 000 mined areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, covering an area of more than 300 square kilometres. Since the war ended in 1995, there have been more than 1300 mine casualties, including many children.⁶ However, resources for demining are rapidly decreasing and so many landmines will remain in the fields, waiting for new victims.

Besides the long and slow process of demining, much effort is being put into mine awareness. By educating people how to live safely in dangerous areas it is hoped that the number of mine casualties will decrease.

The students who attended the conference were motivated to work towards the goal of a mine.free world. Another conference might be held next year. In addition, a student mailing list will go on line soon at minefreeworld@yahoogroups.com as a tool for exchange of information and ideas. Finally, the ICBL is preparing a youth campaign kit and an ICBL youth website. This will provide information to anyone who wants to be involved in the campaign.

1. International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Landmine Monitor Report1999. Toward a mine free world.
2. International Committee of the Red Cross. Landmines: time for action, international humanitarian law. Geneva: ICRC.1995.
3. Maddocks I. Landmines: a major threat to global health. Vital Signs 1996;10:no 1.
4. Atikovic D. Norwegian people's aid demining activities. Sarajevo: Norwegian People's Aid, Mine Action Team, 2001.
5. Bosnian and Herzegovinian Medical Student Association. Final report of the international workshop on medicine, war and peace. Sarajevo: Bosnian and Herzegovinian Medical Student Association, 1997.
6. Jones A. Landmines in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sarajevo: Bosnia and Herzegovinia Mine Action Centre, 2001.