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Boletín Inglés Colombia Sin Minas
Boletín Inglés Colombia Sin Minas
Boletín Inglés Colombia Sin Minas
TWO PERSPECTIVES
Given the limited data and analysis on the topic, and statistics that only
reveal a glimpse of the reality, the situation in Colombia warrants analysis.
Let us begin with the definition of the term The figures demonstrate to us the differing
victim given by the Ottawa Convention: immediate effects between males and
“All persons that have suffered individually or females. The number of direct victims of
collectively as a result of an APM APM/UXOs who are male is far greater than
(antipersonnel mine) accident, including from the number who are female. However, how
physical and mental harm, emotional distress, many of these accidents have an effect on
economical loss or a significant violation of women as indirect victims?
fundamental rights. The term includes those
affected by fatal injuries, survivors and their Female victims of APMs and UXOs are faced
immediate family” (underlining ours). with pre-determined social and cultural
standings that make the recovery process for
Direct Victims: women more complicated because their pre-
Colombia holds a register of the direct victims established cultural role is to care for the
from 1990 to April, 2009. Of the 2682 civilian home.
victims of APMs and UXOs (unexploded
ordnances), 383 have been women, whilst 2250 These women are affected not only by the
have been men. The gender of 49 of the physical consequences of the accident, but
victims is unknown. also by their new state of vulnerability,
stigmatization, isolation, as well as by
Chart showing the percentage distribution of psychosocial effects. Often these women have
registered female victims of APMs and UXOs to reduce the amount of medical treatment
according to the consequences of the accident. and care they receive because of economic
1990 to April 2009:of the accident. 1990 to April factors and because it is, as carers of the
2009 home, impossible for them to abandon their
existing responsibilities.
Indirect Victims:
replaced by conventional
precision-guided bombs,
the CCCM believes that
it is a great step forwards
that these weapons
which represent a great
risk to civilians no longer
exist on our land.
Colombia continues to
store 31 ARC-32 type
bombs which were
produced in Israel.
This was made possible thanks to Present at the opening were, among
support from the Colombian Campaign others, the Ambassador for the United
to Ban Landmines (CCCM) and Mercy States, William Brownfield, the Governor
Corps, through the project Atención of Nariño, Antonio Navarro Wolff, the
Integral a Víctimas de Minas Antipersonal Mayor of Pasto, Eduardo Alvarado, the
(Comprehensive Assistance for Manager of the University Hospital of
Antipersonnel Mine Victims), financed Nariño, Bernardo Ocampo, the Director
by USAID (The United States Agency for of PAICMA (Presidential Program for
International Development). Essential Action Against Antipersonnel
Mines), Andrés Dávila, the Colombian
For almost four years Nariño has Representative for Mercy Corps, Gary
reported the most civilian victims of any Burniske and the National Coordinator of
department in Colombia and it was this CCCM, Álvaro Jiménez Millán.
that motivated the creation of the
rehabilitation centre. It will guarantee The project, which began in 2008, grew
victim assistance for those affected in the from the need to provide care to victims
region and therefore avoid the secondary of armed conflict in their own
consequences of landmine accidents, department and is a clear demonstration
such as the need to travel for medical of the advances that have been made
attention, cultural uprooting and within the framework of the project
economic difficulties. Plus, the centre will Atención Integral a Víctimas de Minas
offer closer, constant and more effective Antipersonal (Comprehensive Assistance
aid during the process of rehabilitation. for Antipersonnel Mine Victims).
GERVASIO SÁNCHEZ
AND HIS POSITION ON THE COLOMBIAN CONFLICT
Spanish photographer Gervasio Sánchez has dedicated a large part of his professional
life to capturing pictures of landmine victims. In this interview he tells us, among other
things, his opinion on the role of States Parties to the Treaty and on the fact that
Cartagena will host the Second Revision Conference.
(The opinions expressed in this article are those of the interviewee only.)