PHNOM PENH: The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) has instructed demining operators to suspend all survey, clearance and explosive ordnance risk education activities in the regions which have come under fire by the Thai military.
In a directive issued today, Dec 26, Senior Minister Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the CMAA, instructed demining operators to immediately submit requests to the CMAA regarding changes to mine clearance plans in places where minefields are in areas facing Thai attacks.
Operators must prioritise the safety of demining staff and provide support to staff members whose families are currently living in danger zones or evacuation sites.
“All operators must continue organising programmes to raise awareness about the dangers of landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive ordnance fired and dropped by the Thai military to the people currently staying in sanctuaries. This is to avoid accidents from these explosive remnants of war when people return to their homes after the war,” said Thuch.
Additionally, he called on local authorities to place warning signs at locations containing explosive ordnance, preserve evidence or destroy the ordnance, as necessary.
According to the CMAA, since the start of the acts of aggression by the Thai military against Cambodia — both in July and the second instance from, Dec 7, to the present — the Thai military has used various types of heavy weaponry on Cambodian civilian areas and violated several international principles.
Beyond affecting civilian infrastructure and lives, the Thai aggression has impacted humanitarian mine clearance operations, specifically more than 900 demining staff and their families who have had to flee to safe areas, according to the CMAA. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
