EUROPE/SWITZERLAND “We must not make the victims of mines victims also of oblivion and discrimination.”: Holy See permanent Observer Archbishop Tomasi, tells standing committee of experts on the Convention prohibiting anti-personnel mines.

Geneva (Fides Service ) - “In Asia and Africa I have personally seen the ravages caused by anti-personnel mines on the bodies of fleeing refugees and of working women and men in border villages. Such mines are a source of inhuman suffering.” This was affirmed by Archbishop Silvano Maria Tomasi, Holy See Permanent Observer to the Office of the United Nations and Specialised Institutions in Geneva in his address to a meeting of the standing committee of experts of the Convention banning anti-personnel mines, in Geneva 9 to 12 February
The Archbishop stressed that the central them of the Convention is to protect people from becoming “innocent victims of this vile, murderous and useless arm” and he called on national authorities and the international community to shoulder their responsibilities for the tragic consequences of mines. “We must not make the victims of mines victims also of oblivion and discrimination or victims of a condescending type of assistance.” he continued. “Mines victims are citizens and full members of their community. They have the right to be effectively associated in the elaboration and implementation of both rehabilitation and socio-economic re-integration policies.” Special attention given to people in need will enable them in turn to “play an active role in promoting a pacified and fraternal humanity”.
The Archbishop said that the victims of anti-personnel mines are “innocent witnesses of a wrong approach to security” and that many countries now realise that these weapons and the inhuman and devastating effects are useless because “they give the illusion of an artificial security.” In most cases the citizens of the country in which these weapons are used are those who suffer most from the disastrous consequences.
The Permanent Observer concluded his intervention underlining the priority of programmes of assistance for victims of anti-personnel mines and urging those present not to be discouraged in front of a task which appears immense. Millions of mines have been destroyed, countries, voluntary and religious organisations have undertaken many initiatives but “much remains to be done”. “Healing entire populations of the consequences of war and armed conflicts, especially the people that have been most affected and victimized, is the best investment in building up true security and a durable peace.
”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 16/2/2004 - Righe 29; Parole 383)