Burma: One of the World’s Landmine"Black Spots"

The Irrawaddy recently spoke with Stephen Goose in Montreal, program director of the Arms Division of Human Rights Watch, to discuss the landmine situation inside Burma. Goose, who is also one of the founders of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (recipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize), described Burma as "one of the real black spots around the world in terms of anti-personnel landmines," with both government and rebel armies making extensive use of the weapon. Below are excerpts from the interview:

Question: How much cooperation do you get from the Burmese authorities when you are conducting research on anti-personnel landmines?

Answer: Well, as with almost every kind of issue, it is very difficult to get any kind of cooperation or information from the government of Burma. However, we have been allowed to conduct some research inside of Burma, in many different areas.

Q: So they allow you to go in to inspect?

A: Yes, we have had researchers who are based in Thailand go into Burma. And we have also been able to conduct interviews with some government authorities, although they don’t give us any information that is useful.

Q: Can you describe the landmine situation in Burma these days?

A: Well, mines are being used both by government forces and by various non-state actors, or rebel groups. Burma is one of the real black spots around the world in terms of anti-personnel landmines. It is conceivable that Burma is one of the countries where the most mines are being laid. One of our surprising findings from our research over the past year and a half is that it is likely there are more landmine victims each year now in Burma than there are in places like Cambodia, which are almost always cited as the heaviest mined countries in the world.

Q: Do you have any figures?

A: We’re estimating that about 1,500 people a year almost all civilians step on landmines and are either killed or lose a limb.

Q: Which areas are most heavily mined?

A: There is extensive mining along the border with Thailand. There also mines along the border with Bangladesh, and mines throughout the interior as well. Regrettably, it is a situation where it is difficult to find areas that are not mined. Wherever there is conflict in Burma, mines are sure to be used.

Q: How about casualties in the Burmese army?

A: We don’t know about Burmese army casualties. They won’t provide us with that sort of information. It is easier to get information about civilian casualties, but hospitals generally won’t release information because of intimidation. But at least ten different non-state actors are using anti-personnel landmines, and a number of them have the capability to produce the weapon as well. We have identified several different types of homemade mines, and the government also produces the weapon.