The rising toll of civilian casualties from landmines in Myanmar has drawn international attention and concern. As of 2023, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported 1,052 such casualties, with children making up more than 20 percent of this distressingly high number.
Landmines, an indiscriminate and dangerous weapon, have afflicted civilians across nearly every state and region in Myanmar, with the notable exception of Naypyidaw, the capital. Particularly impacted are children, who are often unaware of the lethal risk that these hidden explosives pose.
On this alarming issue, UNICEF’s Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific, Debora Comini, stated that the use of landmines, “is not only reprehensible but can constitute a violation of international humanitarian law… It is imperative that all parties to the conflict prioritize the safety and well-being of civilians, especially children, and take immediate steps to stop the use of these indiscriminate weapons.”
As a state party to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, Myanmar is obligated to abide by international humanitarian laws that protect non-combatants and those unable to participate in hostilities due to incapacitation or detention. This law specifically calls for the protection of children as well as the prohibition of indiscriminate weapons such as landmines. Myanmar’s accession into the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991 further obligates the state to protect children affected by armed conflict and comply with humanitarian law.
Tensions in Myanmar escalated after the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) staged a coup on February 1, 2021, leading to the arrest of key government figures, including Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. But recent opposition victories have presented significant setbacks for the Tatmadaw, with opposition forces gaining control over several towns and disrupting major border routes. Despite the Tatmadaw’s concerted efforts, they have struggled to regain lost territories, encouraging rebel groups across the nation to intensify their attacks.
In light of this escalating conflict, UNICEF has called for $208.3 million in funding to deliver life-saving aid and essential services to 3.1 million children and families affected by the crisis in Myanmar.
More information can be found in the in-depth reporting by Jurist – News.