Colombia’s largest rebel group FARC was urged to reveal the location of its anti-personnel mines in various areas of the country as the peace process continues.
“We need to have information to know where these minefields are, so that we can develop measures of protection, education and prevention, and of course proceed to humanitarian de-mining in areas where possible,” said Daniel Avila, director of the Presidential Program for Comprehensive Action Against Anti-personnel Mines, as reported by Caracol Radio.
The program has condemned the use of anti-personnel mines, a form of land mine designated for use against humans, which Colombia lies second behind Afghanistan as the country most affected in the world by the macabre device.
According to the Colombian government 10% of the 9,000 victims of mines and other explosion devices in the country are children, and 40% of victims are civilians.
Peace negotiations between the FARC and the Colombian government will officially begin October 8 in the Norwegian capital of Oslo and continue on in Cuba’s capital Havana in search of an end to the country’s 48-year armed conflict.