International Disabled Day
International Disabled Day was celebrated in Samroung village Wat in mine affected Ochrou district, Banteay Meanchey, by hundreds of disabled people, villagers, monks, non government organizations and ministry and district representatives. "It was an occasion to raise awareness of the issues of disabled people and to celebrate the anniversary of the Ottawa Treaty to Ban Landmines," said Ms. Sok Eng, spokesperson for the campaign in Banteay Meanchey.
At Banteay Prieb, Kandal province, disabled students gathered for their own mini Olympics.
Humor, courage perseverance triumphed over athletic prowess, said the eyes of Klieng Vann, a campaigner who rode his cyclo from Paris to Brussels to encourage the mine ban in the lead up to the 1997 treaty. Battambang will hold a parade on Sunday and a public event is scheduled for Phnom Penh at the National Assembly Park.
Recent
interesting events in the implementation of the Ottawa Treaty and mine action
include, 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
* The near completion of Level One survey on mine areas in Battambang by
Geo Spatial
* A visit by Campaign Ambassador Tun Channareth to Singapore,
where he met the Defence Minister and gained support for Singapore joining the
Mine Ban Treaty from undergraduates
* Reports done on "spontaneous demining"
by villagers and on the first year of the Land Use Planing Units.
* Presentation
in Spain by Cambodian Dancers for Peace of the Ban Land Mine Dance followed by
the destruction of Spain's last stockpile of mines.
The Campaign welcomed the words of the Prime Minister at a recent meeting in Phnom Penh. "Mine clearance activities are considered our top priority in the rehabilitation and development of the country, in particular in light of the achievement of poverty reduction. Our past actions reflect clearly the government's determination into implement the Ottawa Convention". Minister Sok An continued, " We must find ways to achieve a comprehensive solution to the legacy of land mines per the spirit of the Ottawa Treaty."
More than 800 people have been injured by land mines in Cambodia in 2000.
The campaign calls on the Cambodian military authorities to destroy the anti-people-mines remaining in their Stores and urges donors to fund mine clearance, assistance to the disabled and to mine affected communities.
140 countries have signed the mine ban treaty. In the South East Asia region Indonesia and Brunei have signed but still need to ratify the Treaty.
The campaign eagerly awaits the news that USA, Russia, China, Israel, Korea(N&S)
Singapore, Vietnam and Laos have joined with the other 140 countries in addressing the root cause of the crime that amputates the legs and arms and eyes of Cambodian children , men and women.
To sign on International Disabled Day would be a great way to celebrate!
3 December 2000
CONTACT Bill Herod:
NGO Forum
Ny NHAR or Sr. Denise Coghlan: 23 880 139
E-mail:
jrscam@forum.org.kh or camban@online.com.kh
