Pope: No more landmines

Pope Benedict XVI has launched an appeal for the UN-sponsored International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. Speaking during his General Audience he said “Today marks the International Day to raise awareness about the problem of landmines – to the victims of which I express my closeness, as also I am close to their families. I encourage everyone to be committed to freeing humanity from these terrible and devious weapons, which, as Blessed John Paul II said to mark the entry into force of the Convention for their elimination, keep people from, “Walk[ing] together on paths of life without fearing the dangers of destruction and death. (Angelus of February 28th, 1999)”.

On 8 December 2005, the General Assembly declared that 4 April of each year shall be observed as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.

It called for continued efforts by States, with the assistance of the United Nations and relevant organizations, to foster the establishment and development of national mine-action capacities in countries where mines and explosive remnants of war constitute a serious threat to the safety, health and lives of the civilian population, or an impediment to social and economic development at the national and local levels.

Long after wars are waged some weapons remain a lurking threat to civilians in the peacetime that follows. Landmines are indiscriminate weapons that wait underground for years and sometimes decades maiming and killing children, farmers and everyday citizens who happen upon them. In 2010 there were 4,200 victims of landmine’s devastating effects - 11 people a day.