The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) said that Syria is among the worst countries in the world in terms of the number of landmines laid since 2011, noting that more than one third of the victims of landmines in Syria are women and children.
In a new report issued on Thursday, the Network said that at least 2,601 civilians, including 598 children and 267 women, have been killed in explosions of landmines across Syria since March 2011. It added that the victims included eight medical workers, six civil defense volunteers, and nine media activists.
The report indicated that nearly 51 percent of the victims were killed in the provinces of Aleppo and Raqqa, while 16 percent were killed in Deir Ezzor, nine percent in Dara’a, and seven percent in Hama province.
The Network called for respecting the international humanitarian law and international human rights law as well as an end to the use of landmines. It also called for the start of mine clearance operations.
Moreover, the Network stressed that there will be no stability in Syria without a political transition to democracy and respect for human rights. It also put forth a set of other recommendations to the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria in this regard. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
