(Vatican Radio) On World Refugee Day this year, the International Campaign to Ban
Landmines called on states to eliminate the harrowing risks that refugees and asylum
seekers face from landmines and other unexploded devices. Despite a 1997 treaty
to ban the use of landmines, these indiscriminate weapons, continue to injure and
kill civilians every day in countries around the world. Over 150 states have signed
and ratified the treaty which prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and trade
in anti-personnel mines. Yet an estimated 100 million of the deadly devices still
lie in fields and along roads in former conflict zones, killing and maiming over 500
victims each week, earning them the nickname ‘weapons of mass destruction in slow
motion.’
Jerry White lost his lower left leg – and almost his life – in a landmine
explosion, but went on to co-found a survivors’ network and then take a leadership
role in the international campaign to ban landmines, which won the Nobel Peace Prize
in 1997. Today he serves with the US State Department’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization
Operations. Just recently Jerry was in Rome and spoke to Philippa Hitchen about his
work, his faith and his own dramatic experience…..
Listen::
"I was
an Irish Catholic boy in the United States.....I studied Judaic studies.....and I
went walking in the Holy Land...in Egypt and the Sinai, enjoying the Bible landscapes
and suddenly...Boom! I step on a landmine and it blows off my lower right leg......I
had never thought about landmines or knew they were a problem in the Middle East....
I
met another survivor, Ken Rutherford, he'd lost both legs to a landmine in Somalia...he
said landmines have killed more people than nuclear, biological and chemical weapons
combined so...we started to network with other amputees all around the world from
Cambodia to Columbia, Afghanistan to Angola.....
The U.S.. although it
hasn't signed (the treaty) is the world's leading de-mining supporter....about 120
million dollars each year is spent towards these programmes...but up until now, because
of issues related to the Korean peninsula and other security concerns, the US has
not felt ready (to sign)..Under this administration...there's been an instruction
to review the landmine policy...it would make me proud as a survivor...to see this
make progress..
When Princess Diana got involved....the cameras of the
world focused attention on her and where she went....those iconic photos of her walking
along the mine fields and holding survivors and children....Diana was an authentic
champion for the cause....she put a human face on it and almost singlehandedly translated
it from a security issue to a humanitarian one...."