Afghanistan, April 3 -- UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennett has called on the international community to increase funding for mine clearance and unexploded ordnance removal, warning that Afghanistan remains one of the world's most heavily contaminated countries. His appeal came due to April 4, the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
Bennett said official figures show that 471 civilians were killed last year in explosions caused by mines and unexploded ordnance, and that 67 percent of the victims were children. He stressed that children continue to bear the heaviest burden, with many incidents occurring while they are playing or collecting scrap metal.
He said the widespread ...