A Colombian congressman, in partnership with an anti-mine NGO, called on Thursday for the FARC to demine certain areas of humanitarian interest.
Access to water sources, areas around schools and hospitals, roads reaching remote communities, and recreation zones should be demined by the FARC, according to House Representative Guillermo Rivera Florez.
“We propose to the FARC that they contribute by demining humanitarian environments … that impair the lives of those most effected by the conflict,” Rivera said in partnership with the Colombian Campaign against Mines.
Thursday marks the International Day of Mine Awareness.
Vice President Angelino Garzon took a more forceful tone against the “cowardly act” of using mines in areas with civilian traffic.
“What is revolutionary about leaving a child… totally incapacitated?” Garzon asked rhetorically. “The most counter-revolutionary thing done by the guerrilla is the use of deadly mines,” he said.
In an open letter earlier this week, Garzon called for Colombians to show their solidarity with landmine victims by rolling up a pant leg.
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