Colombian rebel groups blasted for land mine use

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Colombian rebels’ increased use of landmines in the country’s civil war came under fire Wednesday in a report issued by New York-based Human Rights Watch.

The report, titled “Maiminig the People,” noted that civilian casualties, especially among children, are rising: 314 civilians were killed, maimed or blinded in 2006 by the devices, up from 66 in 2000.

The two biggest users of the anti-personnel mines are the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and the National Liberation Army, or ELN, the report said. Paramilitary groups also are known to stockpile the devices.

The Colombian military, wich is party to a 1997 international accord banning land mines, says it does not use the devices. Troops suffered nearly 800 casualties from land mines last year, according to HRW.

ELN spokesman Francisco Galan told HRW in an interview that “international humanitarian law” does not apply to his group.

The report also slammed the Colombian government for failing to provide education, training and social services to landmine victims, many of whom live on welfare.

Posted by Chris Kraul in Bogota