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Table of Contents
Country Reports
Colombia, Landmine Monitor Report 2003

Colombia

Key developments since May 2002: The use of mines by guerrilla and paramilitary forces has increased considerably. The government reported 638 incidents of mine use in 2002. All but two of the country’s 32 departments are now mine-affected. The number of reported casualties to mines and unexploded ordnance more than doubled from 216 in 2001 to 530 in 2002. Another 151 new casualties were recorded between January and 15 April 2003.

A National Mine Action Plan was approved on 27 February 2003. In March 2003, Colombia and the Organization of American States signed an Agreement on Cooperation and Technical Assistance for mine action. No systematic humanitarian demining is underway, but mine risk education activities are expanding.

Colombia’s national implementation legislation, Law 759, came into effect on 25 July 2002. Colombia began its stockpile destruction program in June 2003 and plans to complete it in February 2005. Colombia has served as co-chair of the Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socioeconomic Reintegration since September 2002. A United Nations report released in February 2003 contains a serious allegation of use of antipersonnel landmines by the Colombian Army. The Colombian government has indicated only command-detonated Claymore mines, permissible under the Mine Ban Treaty, were used.

Mine Ban Policy

Colombia signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997, ratified on 6 September 2000, and the treaty entered into force on 1 March 2001. On 20 June 2002, the National Congress approved Colombia’s national implementation legislation, Law 759, and the law came into effect following Presidential approval on 25 July 2002. Under the legislation, any use, production, transfer, or stockpiling of antipersonnel mines is punishable by imprisonment of 10 to 15 years, a fine that is 500 to 1,000 times the official minimum monthly salary,[1] and prohibition from public office for a period of five to ten years. If the antipersonnel mine is equipped with an antihandling device or set up like a booby-trap, the violation is punishable by 15 to 20 years of imprisonment, a fine of 1,000 to 2,000 times the official minimum monthly salary, and prohibition of public office for ten years. Anyone who encourages, assists, facilitates, stimulates, or induces other persons to participate in violations will be punished with imprisonment of six to ten years and a fine of 200 to 500 times the official minimum monthly salary.[2]

Colombia attended the Fourth Meeting of States Parties in September 2002 and participated in the various intersessional Standing Committee meetings in February and May 2003. In September 2003, Colombia will complete its year-long term as co-chair, together with France, of the Standing Committee on Victim Assistance. On 22 November 2002, Colombia voted in support of UN General Assembly Resolution 57/74, promoting universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty.

During the May 2003 intersessional meetings, Colombian representatives distributed the country’s annual Article 7 report dated 30 April 2003. This was the country’s third Article 7 report.[3] It covers the period from 1 March 2002 to 30 April 2003, and includes Form J on victim assistance efforts, as well as 21 annexes.

Colombia is a State Party to Amended Protocol II of the Convention of Conventional Weapons (CCW), but did not participate in the Fourth Annual Conference of States Parties to Amended Protocol II in December 2002.

On 5 March 2003, Colombia and the Organization of American States (OAS) signed an Agreement on Cooperation and Technical Assistance for mine action.[4] President Álvaro Uribe Vélez, OAS Secretary General César Gaviria Trujillo, and Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos Calderón attended the ceremony. In his statement President Uribe Vélez said, “We want to comply with the goal of destroying all mines in the ten year period set by the Treaty. That will depend, necessarily, on the effectiveness and application of our Democratic Security policy.”[5] In his statement, the OAS Secretary General Gaviria Trujillo said, “This is not a symbolic act... It is without a doubt an act of extreme courage by the government, which in the middle of the internal conflict, has decided to take action....”[6]

A UN delegation visited Colombia from 3-4 April 2003 to review the country’s landmine crisis and mine action needs.[7] They met with representatives of organizations engaged in mine action and also traveled to Antioquia, where they visited the municipality of Cocorná, which has reportedly registered the highest numbers of landmine casualties of any municipality in the country over the past two years.[8]

In 2002 and 2003, the Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines (CCCM, Campaña Colombiana Contra Minas), based at the NGO Paz y Democracia (Peace and Democracy) in Medellín, continued to support implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty through its participation in the PAAV/Observatory program (see below) and its advocacy efforts. It sent a number of advocacy letters in 2002 and 2003, including one on 5 March 2003, in which it called on non-state actors to reconsider their use of antipersonnel mines in light of the increasing number of civilian landmine casualties; it also called on the government to swiftly destroy its stockpiled antipersonnel mines.[9]

On 5-7 May 2003, representatives of the Swiss NGO, Geneva Call, visited Colombia and, together with the CCCM Coordinator, Álvaro Jiménez Millán, met with various actors to discuss the landmine crisis in Colombia.[10] They subsequently met with members of the Central Command of the ELN (National Liberation Army, Ejército de Liberación Nacional) in Havana, Cuba from 8-10 May 2003. ELN told them that it was not prepared to stop using mines and insisted that the government negotiate an end to indiscriminate use of other weapons and bombardment before ELN could consider halting mine use. ELN said it recognized the indiscriminate impact of landmine use and said it was prepared to explore the possibility of local agreements to reduce the negative impact of antipersonnel mine use on civilian populations.[11]

Production and Transfer

Colombia is a former producer of antipersonnel mines. It has reported that equipment used in landmine production at the state-owned Industrias Militares (INDUMIL) José María Cordoba factory was destroyed in 1999.[12]

In a December 2001 report, the Vice President’s Office detailed different types of landmines produced by guerrilla groups from commonly available explosives.[13] A March 2003 publication by the government’s Antipersonnel Mine Observatory provided photographs and additional information on these homemade mines and listed new mine types.[14] ELN, EPL (Popular Liberation Army, Ejército de Liberación Popular), and FARC (Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces, Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia) are reported to use homemade plastic antipersonnel mines that cannot be found by the metal detectors used by the Army, in Sur de Bolívar, Catatumbo (Norte de Santander) and the province of Soto (Santander).[15] The 2002 annual report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated, “The new trends [with respect to antipersonnel mines] are deeply alarming since all the outlawed armed groups have acquired an impressive capacity for the immediate, in situ manufacture of home-made mines, leaving far less scope for controlling them.”[16]

Colombia is not known to have ever exported antipersonnel mines. It previously imported antipersonnel mines from Belgium and the US, and perhaps other countries, but the non-standard nomenclatures of the antipersonnel mines it has declared in its stockpile make it difficult to ascertain the types and origin of the mines.

According to a media account, in May 2003, a Panamanian court sentenced four Panamanians and three Colombians to 20 and 60 months imprisonment for attempting to import into Colombia weapons acquired in Nicaragua, which included thirteen Russian antipersonnel mines.[17]

Stockpiling and Destruction

In April 2003, Colombia reported that its stockpile of 23,451 antipersonnel mines will be destroyed by February 2005, and 986 mines will be retained under Article 3 for training and research purposes.[18] Including the number of mines retained, the total is 4,125 more mines than previously reported.[19] Colombia’s Article 7 reports provide no technical information on the types of mines retained.[20] The list of stockpiled antipersonnel mines in Article 7 reports contain 19 separate entries, including US M14 and M16 antipersonnel mines, an apparent Belgian mine, and several types of Colombian-made mines. Other nomenclatures listed are non-standard designations, and appear to include antivehicle mines.

According to the April 2003 Article 7 report, the stockpiled mines will be destroyed in 246 stockpile destruction events, with approximately 100 mines destroyed at each event (202 events by the Army, 42 by the Navy, and two by the Air Force).[21] The first destruction event occurred in June 2003 and the last ones are due in February 2005.[22] The treaty-mandated deadline to complete destruction is 1 March 2005. The government has requested financial assistance to destroy the stockpile.[23] Previously, in February 2002, 2,542 mines stockpiled by INDUMIL were destroyed.[24]

On 26 June 2003, 496 antipersonnel mines were destroyed at a ceremony in Usme, south of Bogotá, attended by Defense Minister Marta Lucía Ramírez de Rincón and Vice President Francisco Santos Calderón.[25] The Vice President stated, “Today is a historic day for the Colombian military forces. Today, our officers and soldiers are sending a message to Colombia and the rest of the world about the magnitude, scope, meaning, and depth of their commitment with Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law.... The best way we can honor our boys and girls, our men and women, killed or maimed by antipersonnel landmines is to make possible the shared dream that these weapons are banned forever from our country and that the human tragedies caused by them disappear forever from Colombia.”[26] Also in attendance were representatives of the ICRC, UNICEF, UNDP, OAS, various embassies, ICRC, and NGOs, including the Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines.

In its April 2003 Article 7 report, Colombia stated that because of security concerns arising from the internal conflict, the location of each destruction event would only be made public at an “opportune moment.” CCCM has expressed concern that transparency and monitoring will be difficult given the number of destruction events.[27]

The Colombian media regularly reports on the seizure of landmines from guerrilla and paramilitary groups, including FARC, ELC, and AUC (United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia). Most seizures occur during fighting or when the Army comes across camps and bases of these groups. Based on information in three media reports, 186 antipersonnel mines were seized in 2002.[28] Between January and May 2003, at least 136 antipersonnel mines have been seized, according to information in a dozen media reports.[29] Additionally, on 25 September 2002, Colombian secret police discovered 16 T-AB-1 antivehicle mines of Brazilian origin, stockpiled by the FARC’s 8th Front in a forested area near the municipality of Pasto, Nariño department, near the border with Ecuador.[30]

Use

Hostilities in Colombia intensified throughout 2002 and in the first half of 2003, following the collapse of peace negotiations in the first half of 2002.[31] Colombia remains the only country in the Americas region where antipersonnel mines are used on a regular basis. FARC and ELN are believed to be major antipersonnel mine users. According to the government’s Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, of 638 mine-related incidents reported in 2002, the user responsible for the landmine that caused the incident is not known in approximately half of the incidents (283 or 44.5 percent). FARC is listed as probably being responsible for 237 incidents (37 percent), followed by ELN for 85 incidents (13.5 percent), “non identified” for 11 incidents (1.7 percent), and AUC for seven events (1.2 percent).[32] The Observatory cautioned that the number of incidents caused by paramilitary forces did not mean that they use mines less frequently, as it is difficult to know who is responsible.[33] Just over a third (36.5 percent) of incidents recorded in Arauca between 1990 and 2002 were caused by “unknown” users, but in 2001-2002 this percentage increased to 60 percent, which coincided with the incursion of paramilitary forces in the department.[34]

Use by Guerrilla Forces

The 2002 annual report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated, “The use of mines increased considerably.... Of particular concern was the widespread use by guerrilla groups of anti-personnel mines in hotly contested areas, especially in the municipality of Cocorná, in Eastern Antioquia, and in municipalities of Norte de Santander and the region of San Vicente del Caguán.”[35]

Landmine Monitor has compiled instances of new use of antipersonnel mines in 2002 and 2003 from numerous media reports. Information must be viewed with caution. For example, on 1 October 2002, a civilian died during fighting between FARC and the Army in the village of Caño Don Juan, in Yondó municipality, Antioquia. The Army claimed that the casualty was caused by an antipersonnel mine, but eyewitnesses claimed the victim was caught in the crossfire and this was later confirmed by a medical report.[36] Most reports cite use by the FARC and ELN, but there are allegations of use by other groups as well. For example, on 16 February 2002, a soldier died after stepping on an antipersonnel mine allegedly laid by the EPL and three others were injured in San Calixto, Norte de Santander.[37]

FARC Use

In July 2002, the FARC used mines in an area close to a road between Melgar and Bogotá, in Silvania municipality, Cundinamarca, according to the Army’s Brigade XIII.[38] On 13 August 2002, Frente 37 of the FARC mined a field in Zambrano during a retreat in fighting, according to the commander of Battalion Contraguerrilla 33.[39] On 29 October 2002, three soldiers were killed and five injured by an antipersonnel mine allegedly laid by the FARC while patrolling between the municipalities Becerril and Codazzi, César.[40] On 14 December 2002, a thirteen-year-old child was killed by an antipersonnel mine allegedly laid by the Frente 49 of the FARC in the hamlet of Sabalo Alto, municipality Valparaiso, Caquetá.[41] In December 2002, a FARC minefield caused the death of a 78-year-old woman and five injuries, in El Pinar del Río, municipality La Sierra, Cauca.[42]

On 13 February 2003, FARC planted 17 antipersonnel mines around a small airplane they had brought down in Caquetá, according to Colombian justice officials.[43] A captured FARC member admitted having planted the mines to cover their retreat.[44] In February 2003, two soldiers were injured by an antipersonnel mine allegedly laid by the FARC, while on patrol in the village of Las Palmas, municipality of San Carlos, Antioquia.[45] In February 2003, an eight year-old girl walking to school lost her eyes, her hands and her leg when a landmine allegedly laid by Frente 24 of the FARC exploded in the village of Taracué, municipality of San Pablo, south Bolívar.[46] In March 2003, eleven soldiers were killed and eight injured when a convoy of five vehicles drove into a field allegedly mined by the Frente 19 of the FARC, in rural Aracataca municipality, Magdalena.[47] In May 2003, a soldier lost his right foot to an antipersonnel mine allegedly laid by the FARC in Piedecuesta, Urabá, Antioquia.[48]

ELN Use

ELN admitted to using landmines on four occasions between 21 September 2002 and March 2003 in Saravena, Arauca department.[49] On 27 November 2002, seven soldiers and one policeman were injured in a mine explosion in Caracolí, César, during fighting with ELN.[50] ELN admitted to using antipersonnel mines in a “defensive manner” in December 2002, when it took over the village of Micoahumado, Bolívar.[51] On 8 December 2002, eight paramilitary were killed and eight others injured when they entered an ELN minefield in Micoahumado.[52]

In January 2003, police cleared a minefield allegedly laid by ELN, deactivating 22 antipersonnel mines, at a village between the municipalities of Saravena and Tame, Arauca.[53] In southern Bolívar, ELN claims that it marks minefields to "prevent incidents."[54] In February 2003, two ELN commanders in south Bolívar interviewed by media said that ELN had laid mines after entering Micoahumado, south Bolívar, and had put up warning signs at the minefields to prevent accidents.[55] The commanders also said that “if the Army and the paramilitaries stop bombarding in an indiscriminate way, we won’t use mines.”[56]

Use by Paramilitary Forces

On 17 April 2002, the “Dragon” paramilitary group reportedly entered Filo Gringo, in El Tarra municipality, Norte de Santander department, and, after forcing inhabitants out, laid antipersonnel mines in the town’s school, one of which injured a civilian.[57] On 17 September 2002, three children were seriously injured by a mine explosion while playing in an area where FARC and AUC had been fighting in the hamlet of Florencia, municipality of Samaná, Caldas.[58] It is not known who laid the mine.

Use by Government Forces

A United Nations report released in February 2003 contains a serious allegation of use of antipersonnel landmines by the Colombian Army. According to the report, the battalion laying the mines admitted responsibility. The 2002 annual report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the human rights situation in Colombia, in a section entitled “Use of anti-personnel mines,” states:

The Office in Colombia was informed that at the beginning of the year [2002] the Army had mined the Munchique hills, an area crucial to communications in south-western Colombia. The José Hilario López Battalion in Popayán claimed this was an exceptional measure to protect the power station, since the area had suffered heavy attacks by guerrilla forces, and the mined area was clearly marked to prevent civilian casualties.[59]

An international organization working in Colombia told Landmine Monitor it received confirmation from the commander of the battalion that landmines were used at the hydroelectric power station to protect against FARC attacks. The commander confirmed that the minefields were marked and mapped. The international organization verified the presence of the minefield in October 2002 and informed high-ranking military and government officials about the mine use.[60] In April 2003, this use allegation was discussed during a meeting between the visiting UN delegation and members of CCCM and other NGOs.[61]

Landmine Monitor asked the government of Colombia for an official response to the UN report. On 30 July 2003, Minister of Foreign Relations Carolina Barco replied that the type of mine used in this operation was the Claymore mine, in command-detonated mode [not victim-activated]. The Minister noted that these are not considered antipersonnel mines under the definitions of the Mine Ban Treaty. She added that the minefields of Munchique Hill have been perfectly demarcated and marked, in order to avoid any danger to the civilian population.[62]

With respect to past use of antipersonnel mines, prior to joining the Mine Ban Treaty, the Commander of the Army’s Engineer Battalion told an intersessional Standing Committee meeting in May 2002 that 54 minefields containing over 20,000 mines were located at “strategic” sites around the country that were important for the national economy. He said that since the minefields were controlled by the Army, “there have been no civilian casualties from these mines.”[63] In August 2002, Colombia reported a total of 9,409 landmines emplaced at military bases and installations: 995 NMAP1 mines around Air Force and Navy bases and 8,414 antipersonnel mines around Army bases.[64] It did not report the location of the bases, but it specified that all the minefields were marked.[65] In its April 2003 Article 7 report, Colombia did not provide information on mines laid around Army installations, but stated that 1,655 NM-MAP1 mines are emplaced at Air Force and Navy bases.[66]

Landmine Problem

According to the UN, without an impact survey, it is impossible to understand the scope of the mine problem in Colombia.[67]

Between 1990 and February 2003, the government’s Antipersonnel Mine Observatory registered 960 mined areas in 422 municipalities in 30 departments. Only two of the country’s 32 departments are not considered mine-affected (Amazonas and Guainia).[68] Landmine Monitor previously estimated that in 2002, at least 256 of Colombia’s 1,097 municipalities in 28 departments were mine-affected.[69]

The Observatory has ranked the most heavily-affected departments according to the number of mine-related events between 1990 and 2002, which includes: landmine incidents and casualties; mine clearance; internal displacement caused by mines; and mines seized, produced, or stockpiled.[70]

According to the Observatory, Antioquia is the most seriously affected department, accounting for 22 percent of the landmine “events.” The rural areas are the most mine-affected, but the conflict is also becoming urbanized in Medellín.[71]

Santander is the second most-affected department, with 18 percent of the landmine events, especially the municipalities of Bucaramanga and San Vicente de Cuchurí.[72]

Bolívar comes third, with 8 percent of the landmine events. However, Bolívar accounted for 16 percent of actual landmine incidents between 1990 and 2002. Over half of the incidents occurred in four municipalities (Morales, San Pablo, Achí and Santa Rosa).[73]

Norte de Santander is the fourth most mine-affected department, with 6.6 percent of events.[74] Caqueta is fifth (5.8 percent), and Arauca is sixth (5 percent). Other heavily-affected departments include César, Cundinamarca, Meta, Putumayo, Boyaca, Cauca, Casanare, Valle and Tolima, Huila, Guaviare and Sucre.[75]

Mine Action Coordination and Planning

Under the government’s National Development Plan 2002-2006, “Towards a Community State” (Estado Comunitario) of 23 April 2003, compliance with the Mine Ban Treaty is considered a priority, including strengthening of the Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, mine risk education, victim assistance, and stockpile destruction.[76]

The National Interministerial Commission on Antipersonnel Mine Action (CINAMA, Comisión Nacional Intersectorial para la Acción contra las Minas Antipersonal) was established on 8 October 2001 by Decree 2113 and confirmed by law 759 on 25 July 2002. It is chaired by the office of the Vice President. CINAMA is responsible for implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty, including the development of a national plan, policy decisions and coordination of international cooperation. It has a Technical Secretariat and two Technical Committees, one on Victim Assistance and one on Prevention, Marking, Mapping and Mine Clearance.[77]

CINAMA’s main program is the Program for the Prevention of Antipersonnel Mine Accidents and Victim Assistance (PAAV, Programa de Prevención de Accidentes y Atención a las Víctimas por Minas Antipersonal), established in January 2001.[78] The Antipersonnel Mine Observatory (Observatorio de Minas Antipersonal) is the central component of PAAV.

The Observatory is described as Colombia’s technical entity responsible for collecting, categorizing, centralizing, and updating all information on the mine issue. The information is used to facilitate decision-making regarding prevention, signaling, mapping, mine clearance, and promotion and monitoring of victim assistance, as well as the general and technical direction, coordination, implementation and monitoring of the national plan for mine action.[79] In 2002 and 2003, the Observatory produced a number of publications on mine risk education,[80] victim assistance,[81] and the mine problem in various departments of the country.[82]

The Observatory has developed a National Mine Action Plan, which was approved by CINAMA on 27 February 2003.[83] The National Plan has five components: information management, prevention, demining, planning, and cooperation.[84]

In March 2002, the National Planning Department concluded that the best option for mine clearance in the short and medium term was to create 29 mine clearance teams of 30 members each to operate over the next 20 years, at an estimated cost of $21.9 million.[85] No additional information on the cost and time frame for clearance is available.

On 11 June 2002, an Interministerial Committee of the General Command of the Armed Forces was created by Transitory Directive No 12/2002 to coordinate implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty by the Armed Forces.[86]

The Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) was donated and installed in Colombia in early 2002 and GICHD personnel conducted eight missions between June 2001 and February 2003 to train the Observatory technical team in IMSMA.[87]

Mine Action Funding

Colombia’s Article 7 Report of April 2003 provides the country’s estimates of needed funding for mine action for the four-year period from 2003-2006 in Colombian pesos.[88] As of April 2003, the estimated necessary funds for mine action in Colombia for the period 2003-2006 totaled US$13.8 million (38.85 billion pesos), including $2.4 million (6.7 billion pesos) for 2003.[89] Funding obtained as of mid-2003 for 2003-2006 totaled about $5 million (15.1 billion pesos).[90]

The budget is broken down into five areas according to the national plan. “Humanitarian demining for humanitarian emergencies” accounts for nearly 80 percent of the total budget, with approximately $1.6 million (4.47 billion pesos) allocated for 2003 and $11 million (30.79 billion pesos) for the period from 2003-2006. The next highest expenditure is “the National Action Plan” with $550,000 (1.54 billion pesos) allocated for 2003 and $1.6 million (4.58 billion pesos) for 2003-2006. “Prevention of landmine accidents” is budgeted at $200,000 (553 million pesos) for 2003 and $900,000 (2.57 billion pesos) for 2003-2006. “Mine action information management” is allocated $33,000 (92.5 million pesos) in 2003 and $267,000 (748 million pesos) for 2003-2006. Finally, there is “international cooperation management” with $16,000 (45 million pesos) allocated for 2003 and $60,000 (165 million pesos) for 2003-2006.

The Article 7 report provides information on the sources of funding for the 2003-2006 period in Colombian pesos.[91] According to the report, Colombia and four donors provided $1.2 million (3.29 billion pesos) for 2003. The main funds came from the country’s national budget, which allocated approximately $882,000 (2.47 billion pesos) for 2003 and $4.9 million (13.78 billion pesos) for 2003-2006. In 2003, Switzerland provided $50,000 in 2003 to support technical cooperation and assistance by the GICHD;[92] the International Organization for Migration provided $116,000; the OAS provided $114,000; and the Peace Investment Fund of Plan Colombia provided $12,000.

In May 2003, the OAS presented a projection of financial resources and requirements for its activities in the period from 2003-2007. For Colombia, projected expenditure totaled $3.3 million: $200,000 in 2003, $300,000 in 2004, $800,000 in 2005, $1 million in 2006, and $1 million in 2007.[93]

Colombia has reported that the $494,906 to be provided by the OAS under the two-year agreement reached in March 2003 will be allocated as follows: $256,506 for administration and supervision, $130,000 in prevention education, $30,000 for training of Colombian personnel, $30,000 for victim assistance, $30,000 for logistics (systems), and $9,400 for other activities (imprevistos).[94]

In February 2003, Spain agreed to provide Colombia with explosives detection equipment under a framework agreement on military cooperation.[95] UNICEF reports that its Mine Risk Education, Victim Assistance and Advocacy program budget for January 2003-December 2004 is $428,063.[96]

Mine Clearance

There is no systematic humanitarian mine clearance underway in Colombia. In March 2003, Colombia’s Vice-President said, “It is not possible to conduct mine clearance as long as the country is in war.” At the same time, he mentioned a need for humanitarian mine clearance of infrastructure including schools, aqueducts and public places.[97]

According to the April 2003 Article 7 report, the Army’s “Mars Group” (Grupo Martes) cleared 1,054 minefields in the past two years. It also trained 877 demining experts at the Military Engineers School in 2002, and another 177 between January and March 2003.[98] In Annex 16 of the report, it states that, in 2002, the Colombian Armed Forces cleared 877 mines in 25 departments and lists some specific instances of the Army’s mine clearance activities.[99]

According to media reports, the Army has 450 mine detection dogs from the Canine Training School in Bucaramanga; during the first nine months of 2002, the dogs reportedly discovered 480 minefields, permitting the destruction of approximately 5,000 mines.[100] In 2002, two dogs were killed detecting mines in Antioquia and in Santander.[101] The dogs have reportedly become the target of guerrilla groups, as food has been placed close to minefields to distract the dogs.[102] According to an Army spokesperson, the FARC offers its members a $170 bonus for killing any dog working with the Army to find bombs and mines.[103]

Following a regional humanitarian agreement reached in January 2003, the AUC, ELN, ERP, and FARC agreed to clear several minefields in Morales municipality in south Bolívar so that the local population could return to their homes.[104]

Mine Risk Education

Mine Risk Education (MRE) activities are undertaken by a number of actors, including UNICEF, the government’s Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, UNHCR, Colombian Red Cross, the Governor’s Bureaus (Gobernancias) of Antioquia, Santander, Cauca, and Bolívar, the Health Sector Directorate, Government Secretariat, the Education Secretariat, Mayoralties in selected municipalities, and NGOs such as Corporación Paz y Democracia, CCCM, FUNDEMOS, and the Foundation “Mujeres en Pie.”

UNICEF supported a number of MRE initiatives in 2002 and 2003, including seminars, presentations, mass media campaigns, and field projects. In 2002, UNICEF began a new MRE community-based project in 14 municipalities in Antioquia and Cauca, setting new standards for MRE in conflict situations. A number of projects were carried out with the Colombian Red Cross on safe practices, and with Scouts Colombia, that reached over 30,000 children and youth.[105]

In March 2003, the Observatory published a MRE handbook.[106]

In its April 2003 Article 7 report, Colombia attached several annexes relating to the development of mine risk education in Colombia. This included the communications strategy of the National Mine Action Plan, which includes objectives and strategies for raising awareness of the mine problem in the country, as well as for more conventional MRE.[107] Another annex was the prevention strategy of the National Mine Action Plan.[108] An MRE questionnaire from a study conducted by the Observatory of 1,300 people in 55 municipalities of 21 departments was also annexed.[109] Another annex includes information on the development of information messages for the Plan, adapted to the Colombian context.[110] The targeted audience is listed as rural males older than 18 years of age, children from rural areas or from municipalities with less than 200,000 inhabitants, members of the Armed Forces, community leaders, and national and territorial leaders. Another annex lists a series of regional MRE workshops.[111]

On 14 August 2002, “El Contacto,” an Army program on national television, showed how to identify weapons, including antipersonnel mines.[112]

In 2002, 25 government employees working in zones controlled by guerrilla groups participated in a one-week MRE training in Bogotá.[113]

NGOs active in MRE include Corporación Paz y Democracia together with CCCM in 14 municipalities of Antioquia department.[114] Corpojuridica conducts MRE activities with the internally displaced indigenous population of Naya, in Cauca. Together with ALDHU (Asociación Latinoamericana de Derechos Humanos), it also conducts MRE activities in the territory of the Cofán indigenous peoples in Colombia’s Amazonian region.[115] In Bolívar, the association "Por un Hombre Nuevo," in collaboration with the government and church has organized MRE campaigns in a number of municipalities.[116]

Landmine Casualties

In 2002, the Antipersonnel Mine Observatory recorded 530 new mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) casualties, representing a 145 percent increase over the 216 new casualties reported in 2001.[117] Of the total casualties, 122 people were killed and 408 injured; and 271 were civilians, of which at least 96 were children. Eight casualties were reported during mine clearance activities.[118]

Casualties continue to be reported in 2003, with 151 new mine/UXO casualties recorded between January and 15 April.

The Observatory recorded 1,920 mine/UXO casualties between 1990 and 15 April 2003, of which 25 percent were killed. Civilians accounted for 774 casualties, including 293 children (38 percent). Of the 1,114 military casualties between 1990 and 15 April 2003, 55 took place during mine clearance activities. Thirty casualties were described as “irregulars,” and the status of two casualties was not known. A study of 210 mine survivors found that 31 percent required an amputation as a result of their injuries. Antipersonnel mines were the cause of 1,657 casualties (86 percent), while UXO caused 263 casualties (14 percent).

Casualties have been recorded in 30 of the 32 departments since 1990, with the highest numbers reported in Antioquia (363 – 19 percent), Bolívar (273 – 14 percent), Santander (249 – 13 percent), Caquetá (154 – eight percent) and Norte de Santander (110 – six percent).

Survivor Assistance

Emergency care at the scene of a mine incident is reportedly deficient, medical treatment and surgery in regional hospitals is slow, and transport to medical facilities is inadequate. In rural areas, it is difficult to get immediate medical help, and it can sometimes take hours or even days to reach the nearest hospital. Medical and rehabilitation services for mine survivors in Colombia are for the most part located in the main urban centers, whereas most survivors live in rural areas. Authorities acknowledged that medical care is made difficult by the distance between the place of the incident and the health care centers, by a lack of knowledge of first aid, and by limitations in social and economic rehabilitation. Military personnel have access to physical rehabilitation and psychosocial support.[119]

In 2002, the ICRC, in addition to operating four mobile health units, facilitated access to specialized medical care for 304 civilian war-wounded.[120]

Colombia reports that the average costs for the transportation of a mine survivor is $2,668, for therapy is $517, and for a prosthesis is $25,000.[121]

Military mine casualties assisted at Ministry of Health facilities and the Central Military Hospital reportedly cost $1,484,723,983 Colombian Peso ($531,854) in 2002 for 408 casualties.[122]

A Directory of Rehabilitation Services in Colombia (Directorio de Servicios de Rehabilitación, Colombia 2003) was published in May 2003, and is a joint initiative of the Center for Integrated Rehabilitation of Colombia (CIREC, Centro Integral de Rehabilitación de Colombia), Landmine Survivors Network (LSN), and Canada. The Directory covers fifteen departments and 66 municipalities that are seriously mine-affected; however, it is hoped that the Directory can be extended to cover the entire country.[123]

Five centers manufacture prostheses and provide other services to landmine survivors and other persons with disabilities in Colombia: the Hospital Militar de Colombia (Colombia’s Military Hospital) in Bogotá, the San Juan Bautista Orthopedic Center in Bucaramanga in Santander department, the Antioquia Rehabilitation Committee in Medellín, the REI Foundation in Cartagena, and CIREC.[124]

The Bogotá-based CIREC provides medical services, physical and occupational therapy, and psychological and social support, and educational opportunities to amputees and other persons with disabilities, taking into account their educational and socio-economic status. CIREC produces around 500 lower-limb prostheses and about 3,000 orthoses a year. Ninety percent of people assisted by CIREC are peasants or rural inhabitants with limited economic resources. Forty-five percent of CIREC employees are people with a disability.[125]

The Rehabilitación Integral (REI) foundation orthopedic workshop in Cartagena is supported by Handicap International Belgium (HIB). In 2002, the workshop produced 44 prostheses and 29 orthoses. The community-based rehabilitation program is active in 12 communities and includes psychosocial support for persons with disabilities and their families, health brigades and home-care.[126]

On 1 April 2002, the Italian NGO Movimondo began a two-year community-based rehabilitation project in two neighborhoods of Cartagena, and in Carmen de Bolívar and Magangué municipalities, Bolívar for people injured in the conflict.[127]

CIREC conducts the “Semilla de Esperanza” (Seeds of Hope) Program with workshops in Bogotá for child survivors every six months. The program aims to empower participants to become leaders in their communities through knowledge of their rights and the resources available to them. The idea is to create a new generation of leaders that work for the rights of persons with disabilities to rehabilitation, education, politics, finances, and social issues.[128] A two-week workshop was held in December 2002 for 28 children and youth survivors of landmines, UXO, and the armed conflict. In addition to the workshops, their prostheses were checked and their rehabilitation monitored. The next workshop will be held in July 2003.[129]

On 8-11 May 2003, CIREC hosted the Second National Gathering for Victim Assistance with the support of UNICEF Colombia and Canada. Approximately 220 persons, including 60 landmine survivors from around the country, representatives of government agencies, including the Vice President’s Office, and organizations working in rehabilitation participated. Workshops on leadership, community-based rehabilitation, technologies, rights of the disabled, arts, and other topics were held over four days.[130]

In May 2003, CIREC released “Antipersonnel Mines: a puzzle waiting to be put together – a survey on rehabilitation for survivors in Colombia” (Las Minas Antipersonal: un rompe-cabezas por armar – Diagnóstico de la rehabilitación de los sobrevivientes en Colombia). The study, undertaken with the support of the governments of Canada and Norway, and the Landmine Survivors Network, was carried out in 66 communities in the 15 most mine-affected departments in the country. Through primary and secondary sources, observations, interviews and questionnaires, the study sought to understand the on-the-ground situation of landmine and UXO survivors, in order to better meet their needs.[131]

UNICEF, together with its MRE partners, is planning survivor assistance activities including advocating on behalf of survivors to gain access to local education and socio-economic activities.[132]

The association Confepaz (With Faith, Peace) brings together ex-soldiers and demobilized guerrillas, many of whom are disabled. The founders, Oscar Buitrago, an ex-Army captain, and Alberto Cuellar, an ex-guerrilla, are both mine survivors. The association has 400 members and provides employment advice, legal aid, and psycho-social support to veterans from both sides.[133]

In 2002, Corpojuridica reports providing legal assistance to 15 mine survivors.[134] In Bolívar, the association “Por un Hombre Nuevo,” in collaboration with the Gobernación and the church organized workshops and trained teams to provide psycho-social support for mine survivors in the municipalities of Tiquiso, Morales, Santa Rosa del Sur, Montecristo, Arenal and San Pablo. The activities are part of PAAV and are funded by the Fondo de Inversión para la Paz and the department of Bolívar.[135]

In the department of Norte de Santander, the Observatorio started a survivor assistance program in the municipalities of Barrancabermeja, San Vicente de Chucurí, Matanza, El Carmen and Rionegro. The first stage consisted of sensitizing local authorities and the departmental health sector on issues relating to survivor assistance. In the second stage, research was carried out on the availability of assistance facilities and the demand for services. In the final stage, an Action Plan for an Integrated Program for Physical, Mental and Vocational Rehabilitation was drafted.[136]

Antioquia, the department with the highest number of reported casualties, has created a Departmental Committee for Prevention of Antipersonnel Mines Accidents and Integrated Victim Assistance which is comprised of the Gobernación of Antioquia, UNICEF, CCCM, the Rehabilitation Committee, the Public Health Faculty of the University, and other official and non-official agencies.[137]

In 2002, as part of the Comprehensive Action Against Antipersonnel Mines (AICMA), the OAS Mine Action Program in Colombia supported the implementation of the Antipersonnel Mines Observatory to record and monitor information on mine casualties and mine survivors.[138] The March 2003 Cooperation and Technical Agreement with the OAS provides $30,000 for victim assistance.[139]

Disability Policy and Practice

Colombia has legislation to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, including landmine survivors.[140] However, the effectiveness of the legislation is reportedly limited by the low capacity of the health and state sectors to react, the lack of intersectorial coordination, and the lack of institutional leadership.[141] One of the functions of CINAMA is to promote and verify national measures on victim assistance.[142]

In January 2001, the government launched the Program for Mine Accident Prevention and Victim Assistance. The victim assistance component of the program includes medical care and rehabilitation, educational reintegration, vocational reintegration, and accessibility to the physical environment.[143]

The Antipersonnel Mine Observatory produced a “guide for victim assistance,”[144] on rights and procedures which include the right to payments, subsidies, indemnities and services through FOSYGA (Solidarity and Guarantee Fund under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Protection). Benefits include transport to a health center, unlimited immediate medical, surgical and hospital assistance, including orthopedic devices, and medicines, and physical and psychological rehabilitation. However, Colombia considers that the full implementation of these rights and the capacity of the state to provide the necessary guarantees are seriously impeded by the ongoing war. Financial benefits are also available through the Social Solidarity Network (Red de Solidaridad Social).[145] Colombia has assisted 180 mine/UXO survivors through the Ministry of Social Protection and through the Red de Solidaridad Social.[146]


[1] In 2002, the minimum monthly salary was approximately $110 (309,000 Colombian pesos). Landmine Monitor used the conversion rate of $1=2,800 peso (May 2003). See CIREC, “Las Minas Antipersonal, un rompe-cabezas para armar. Diagnóstico de la Rehabilitación de los sobrevivientes en Colombia,” Bogotá, April 2003, p. 37.
[2] The Law also provides for National Humanitarian Missions to verify facts and make recommendations (Article 10) and for International Missions to Determine Facts (Article 12).
[3] Article 7 Report, 6 August 2002 (for the period 1 September 2001-30 April 2002); Article 7 Report, 15 March 2002 (for the period 1 March-31 August 2001).
[4] Email to Landmine Monitor (MAC) from Beatriz Elena Gutiérrez Rueda, Coordinator, Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, 5 March 2003. (Landmine Monitor has a copy of the Agreement.) See also Document “Acuerdo de Cooperación y Asistencia Técnica entre el Gobierno de la República de Colombia y la Secretaría General de la Organización de los Estados Americanos relativo al Plan Nacional de Acción Integral contra las Minas Antipersonal en Colombia,” 5 March 2003; “OEA y el Gobierno se unen para erradicar minas antipersonales,” El Universal (Cartagena), 5 March 2003.
[5] “Palabras del Presidente Uribe al firmar acuerdo sobre minas antipersonales,” CNE (Official Presidential Press Agency), 5 March 2003.
[6] “Discurso del Secretario General de OEA,” CNE, 6 March 2003.
[7] CCCM, “Visita de Misión de Naciones Unidas a Colombia y Antioquia,” April 2003. Document emailed to Landmine Monitor (MAC) by Álvaro Jiménez Millán, Coordinator, CCCM, 24 April 2003.
[8] Ibid; CCCM, “Ayuda memoria reunión entre organizaciones que trabajan con minas y misíón de Naciones Unidas,” 4 April 2003. Document emailed to Landmine Monitor (MAC) by Álvaro Jiménez Millán, Coordinator, CCCM, 24 April 2003.
[9] CCCM, Comunicado Público #001, 5 March 2003.
[10] Emails to Landmine Monitor (MAC) from Álvaro Jiménez Millán, Coordinator, CCCM, 23 and 24 May 2003; interview with Mehmet Balci, Regional Director for the Middle East and Europe, Geneva Call, 15 May 2003; email to Landmine Monitor (MAC) from Mehmet Balci, Geneva Call, 1 July 2003.
[11] Email from Álvaro Jiménez Millán, CCCM, 23 May 2003; interview with Mehmet Balci, Geneva Call, 15 May 2003.
[12] Article 7 Report, Form E, 30 April 2003; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 178.
[13] See Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 179; Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Anti-Personnel Mines in Colombia,” December 2001, p. 5.
[14] Four new types of landmines were identified: mina tumbapostes (a “knock down posts” mine for use at oil pipelines, energy and communication towers, and other infrastructure), mina tipo abanico antivehículo (an antivehicle mine), mina química (a chemical mine), and mina camándula (a “malicious” mine shaped like a chain and used at the side of roads).
[15] “Guerrilla emplea minas antipersonales de plástico que no pueden ser detectadas,” El Tiempo (Bogotá), 3 September 2002.
[16] United Nations Economic and Social Council, “Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the human rights situation in Colombia,” Document E/CN.4/2003/13, 24 February 2003, p. 59, at www.hchr.org.
[17] “Desmantelan en Panamá red de traficantes de armas para Colombianos,” Notimex (Panamá), 16 May 2003.
[18] Article 7 Report, Form B, 30 April 2003.
[19] In its previous Article 7 reports, Colombia reported a stockpile of 20,312 landmines. See Article 7 Report, Form B, 15 March 2002; Article 7 Report, Form B, 6 August 2002.
[20] Article 7 Report, Form B, 30 April 2003.
[21] Ibid. Only Form B provides information on stocks and on mines retained for training.
[22] One destruction event is listed as occurring in November 2005, but it is assumed this is an error. Article 7 Report, Form B (Army destruction event No. 140), 30 April 2003.
[23] Article 7 Report, Form B, 30 April 2003.
[24] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Bolívar,” Regional Bulletin No. 2, January 2003, p. 9.
[25] Vice President’s Office and Ministry of Defense joint Press Release, “Colombia Begins Demining Program,” Bogotá, 26 June 2003; “Militares inician destrucción de 23.451 minas antipersonales,” EFE (Bogotá), 27 June 2003.
[26] Speech by Vice President Francisco Santos Calderón, “A Great Reason for Pride,” during the destruction ceremony, Bogotá, 26 June 2003.
[27] Email to Landmine Monitor (MAC) from Álvaro Jiménez Millán, Coordinator, CCCM, 20 June 2003.
[28] “Descubren gigantesco campamento de las FARC,” El Mostrador (Santiago, Chile), 24 August 2002; “Ejercito impidio ataque de las FARC,” El Pais (Cali), 7 June 2002; “Capturados cinco presuntos autodefensas,” Vanguardia Liberal (Bucaramanga), 16 August 2002.
[29] Reports on file with Landmine Monitor.
[30] “Policía desmantela depósito de minas antitanques de las FARC,” Agence France Presse (Bogotá), 2 October 2002.
[31] Colombia continues to suffer from an internal armed conflict that began over 40 years ago. Parties to the conflict include the government and Armed Forces of Colombia, and the two main guerrilla groups, the FARC (Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces) and ELN (National Liberation Army). Smaller guerrilla groups include the ERP (People’s Revolutionary Army) and EPL (Popular Liberation Army). The AUC (United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia) paramilitary forces are also involved in the conflict and other paramilitary organizations include the ACC (Autodefensas Campesinas de Casanare) and the ACMV (Autodefensas Campesinas del Meta y Vechada). Paramilitary groups operate with the tolerance and often support of units within the Colombian Army. See Human Rights Watch, The “Sixth” Division: Military-Paramilitary Ties and U.S. Policy in Colombia, (New York: Human Rights Watch, September 2001).
[32] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Frecuencia annual por autor de eventos por MAP/UXO 1990,” 9 June 2003, at www.derechoshumanos.gov.co (accessed 3 July 2003).
[33] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Santander,” Regional Bulletin No. 3, January 2003, p. 8.
[34] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Arauca,” Regional Bulletin No. 4, February 2003, pp. 11-12.
[35] “Report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the human rights situation in Colombia,” Document E/CN.4/2003/13, 24 February 2003, p. 59.
[36] Noche y Niebla: Banco de Datos de Derechos Humanos y Violencia Política (Unión Temporal Cinep & Justicia y Paz), October 2002, at www.nocheyniebla.org.
[37] Unión Temporal Cinep & Justicia y Paz, “Noche y Niebla: Banco de Datos de Derechos Humanos y Violencia Política,” February 2002, p. 67, at www.nocheyniebla.org.
[38] “Desactivan campo minado en carretera entre Bogotá y Ibagué,” El Tiempo, 8 July 2002.
[39] “Un infante muerto, otro herido al pisar mina,” El Universal, 15 August 2002.
[40] “Tres soldados murieron al hacer explosión una mina antipersonal,” Europa Press (Bogotá), 29 October 2002; “Suspected rebels kill 7 in Colombia,” Associated Press (Bogotá), 29 October 2002.
[41] Unión Temporal Cinep & Justicia y Paz, “Noche y Niebla,” November 2002, p. 102.
[42] “Una persona muerta y cuatro heridas deja campo minado en Cauca,” Caracol Radio, 6 December 2002.
[43] “Farc saquearon y se llevaron sofisticados equipos satelitales de avioneta donde viajaban estadounidenses que tienen sequestrados,” El Tiempo, 1 March 2003.
[44] “Así tumbamos el avión,” Cambio, 3 March 2003.
[45] “Soldados salen heridos al pisar mina,” Caracol (Bogotá), 16 February 2003.
[46] “Una mina tiene al bordo de la muerte una niña de ocho años,” Vanguardia Liberal (Bucaramanga), 23 February 2003; “Mutilada niña de ocho años,” Caracaol (Bogotá), 22 February 2003.
[47] “Once militares mueren en emboscada de las FARC en Magdalena,” El Tiempo, 28 March 2003; Ministry of Defense, Corporate Communications Office Press Release No. 68, 27 March 2003.
[48] “Murió soldado por mina antipersonal,” El Colombiano (Medellín), 2 May 2003.
[49] “Arauca: zona de rehabilitación y control,” www.eln-voces.com, cited 2 July 2003.
[50] According to one media source, the policeman died on the spot. See “Un policía muerto y siete soldados heridos deja emboscada ELN,” Caracol, 28 November 2002; “Ocho heridos en un campo minado,” El Colombiano (Medellín), 28 November 2002.
[51] “Tregua paramilitar...agresión al pueblo,” ELN Public Comuniqué, 20 December 2002; “La pesadilla de un jefe narcoparamilitar,” SINPAL (Sistema Informativo Patria Libre), 31 December 2002; www.eln-voces.com, cited 2 July 2003; “ELN se propone contactos regionales,” El Colombiano, 7 February 2003.
[52] Ibid.
[53] “Policía Colombiana desactiva 22 minas antipersonales en Arauca,” Agence France Presse (Bogotá), 3 February 2003.
[54] “ELN se propone contactos regionales,” El Colombiano, 7 February 2003.
[55] Ibid.
[56] Ibid.
[57] Unión Temporal Cinep & Justicia y Paz, “Noche y Niebla,” April 2002, p. 30.
[58] “Tres niños gravemente heridos al explotar una mina antipersonal,” Agence France Presse (Bogotá), 18 September 2002; Unión Temporal Cinep & Justicia y Paz, “Noche y Niebla,” September 2002, p. 108.
[59] United Nations Economic and Social Council, “Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the human rights situation in Colombia,” Document E/CN.4/2003/13, 24 February 2003, p. 59, available at www.hchr.org.co.
[60] Landmine Monitor (MAC) telephone interviews with source that wishes to remain anonymous, June and July 2003.
[61] CCCM, “Ayuda memoria reunión entre organizaciones que trabajan con minas y misión de Naciones Unidas,” 4 April 2003.
[62] Letter DM/DPM No. 29088 to Mary Wareham, Landmine Monitor Global Coordinator, from Minister of Foreign Relations Carolina Barco, 30 July 2003.
[63] Notes taken by Landmine Monitor (MAC) and statement provided to MAC in writing by Colonel Julian Cardona Montoya, Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, Geneva, 30 May 2002.
[64] The Army’s 8,414 mines are: 2,023 APR M14, 1,538 plastic mines, 1,587 Antiexplosiva M1, 865 Explosivas, 690 MAP, 514 M18, 437 M3A1, 311 Sopro, 207 MAP2 Indumil, 87 M16, 74 Indumil ATP, 53 M3, and 28 Explosivas M21. Article 7 Report, Form C, first Table, 6 August 2002.
[65] Article 7 Report, Form C, 6 August 2002.
[66] The Navy reports that it has 998 NM-MAP1 mines emplaced in minefield located at Cartagena Mamonal (167 mines), Cerro La Pita (166), Cerro Mochuela (498), Cerro Tokio in Valle del Cauca (93), and Cerro Mecana in Choco department (74). The Navy has withdrawn its troops from Cerro Tokio and Cerro Mecana. The Air Force has a total of 657 NM-MAP1 antipersonnel mines in minefields located in Cerro Pan de Azúcar (370 mines), Cerro La María (101), Cerro Nuesa (100), and Cerro Manjui (86). See Article 7 Report, Form C, first and second tables, 30 April 2003.
[67] UN, “Portfolio of Mine-Related Projects 2003,” p. 88.
[68] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Frecuencia departamental de eventos por MAP/UXO 1990-11 June 2003,” at www.derechoshumanos.gov.co.
[69] See Landmine Monitor Report 2002, pp. 182-185.
[70] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Frecuencia departamental de eventos por MAP/UXO 1990-11 June 2003.”
[71] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Antioquia,” Regional Bulletin No. 1, December 2002, p. 13.
[72] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Santander,” Regional Bulletin No. 3, January 2003, pp. 9-11.
[73] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Bolívar,” Regional Bulletin No. 2, January 2003, pp. 2, 8.
[74] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Norte de Santander,” Regional Bulletin, May 2003, p. 2.
[75] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Frecuencia departamental de eventos por MAP/UXO 1990-11 June 2003.”
[76] Article 7 Report, Form A, 30 April 2003.
[77] Ibid.; Landmine Monitor Report 2002, pp. 177, 185-186.
[78] Landmine Monitor uses the acronym PAAV for convenience’s sake, though it is not an official acronym. Administered by the Vice President’s Office (Vicepresidencia de la República), PAAV is part of the Presidential Program on Human Rights and Application of International Humanitarian Law (Programa Presidencial de Derechos Humanos y Aplicación del Derecho Internacional Humanitario).
[79] Article 7 Report, Form A, 30 April 2003.
[80] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Concientización sobre Minas Antipersonal,” Bogotá, March 2003.
[81] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Atención a las Víctimas,” Bogotá, March 2003.
[82] See the series of Regional Bulletins for Antioquia, Bolívar, Santander, Arauca, César, Putumayo, and Norte de Santander, dated from December 2002 to May 2003.
[83] Article 7 Report, Form A, 30 April 2003.
[84] Email to Landmine Monitor (MAC) from Beatriz Elena Rueda Gutierrez, Coordinator of the Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, 5 May 2003.
[85] Office of Economic Studies, “The eradication of antipersonnel mines in Colombia: Implications and Costs,” National Department of Planning, 1 March 2002, p. ii.
[86] CINAMA, “Informe de Gestion,” 11 December 2002, p. 4.
[87] Article 7 Report, Form A, 30 April 2003, p. 8.
[88] Article 7 Report, Form A, 30 April 2003. Conversion rate of $1 = 2,800 pesos (May 2003) is used. Using the US format, a billion is equivalent to a thousand million (1,000,000,000), not a million millions as in Colombia.
[89] Article 7 Report, Form A and Annex 2 (National Planning Department “Ficha BPIN No. 0050002470000,” p. 7), 30 April 2003.
[90] Email to Landmine Monitor (MAC) from Beatriz Elena Gutiérrez, coordinator Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, 29 July 2003.
[91] Article 7 Report, Annex 2, 30 April 2003.
[92] Article 7 Report, Form A, 30 April 2003.
[93] OAS, “Mine Action Program: Making the Western Hemisphere landmine-safe,” Resource Mobilization: Projection of Financial Resources/Requirements 2003-2007, p. 6. Presented at the Standing Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention, 12 May 2003.
[94] Article 7 Report, Form A, 30 April 2003.
[95] “El gobierno Español otorga ayuda militar y tecnología de uso de stélites para uso en guerra civil Colombiana,” EFE (Bogotá), 28 February 2003.
[96] UN Mine Action “Emine” website, see project portfolio for Colombia, at www.mineaction.org.
[97] “Una mina vale US$80 centavos; Quitarla cuesta US$500,” CNE, 5 March 2003.
[98] Article 7 Report, Form C, 30 April 2003.
[99] Article 7 Report, Annex 16 (Estadisticas Operacionales Dirección de Operaciones del Ejército), 30 April 2003.
[100] “Los perros de la guerra,” Semana, 10 October 2002; “Guerrilla emplea minas antipersonales de plástico que no pueden ser detectadas,” El Tiempo, 3 September 2002; “Denuncian uso de minas explosivas de plástico que no se detectan,” El Espectador (Bogotá), 5 September 2002.
[101] “Adiestran perros para interceptar minas antipersonales,” El Tiempo, 7 November 2002.
[102] “Los perros de la guerra,” Semana, 10 October 2002.
[103] “Bomb-sniffing dogs guard Bogotá's posh brides,” Reuters (Bogotá), 22 May 2003.
[104] “Guerrilleros y AUC actúan como buenas personas,” Caracol (Cartagena), 31 January 2003; “ELN y AUC quitarán minas de Morales,” El Tiempo, 4 February 2003. One report notes that the FARC, ELN and ERP were involved, as well as the paramilitaries. The other reports that only the ELN were involved, as well as the paramilitaries.
[105] UN, “Portfolio of Mine-Related Projects 2003,” p. 89.
[106] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Concientización sobre Minas Antipersonal,” Bogotá, March 2003.
[107] Article 7 Report, Annex 18 (Plan Estratégico de Comunicación), 30 April 2003.
[108] Article 7 Report, Annex 15 (Plan Operativo Observatorio de Minas Antipersonal Componente Prevención Integral Año 2003), 30 April 2003.
[109] Article 7 Report, Annex 9 (Metodología para la Aplicación de la Encuesta de Conocimientos, Actitudes, Prácticas y Creencias sobre Minas Antipersonal y Artefactors Explosivos Abandonados – CAPCs en Colombia,” Plan Operativo para “Promover Cultura de Seguridad y Protección para Prevenir Accidentes por Minas Antipersonal y Artefactos Explosivos Abandonados), 30 April 2003.
[110] Article 7 Report, Annex 12 (Metodología para la Elaboración de los Mensajes Informativos Priorizados para el Caso Colombiano,” Plan Operativo para “Promover Cultura de Seguridad y Protección para Prevenir Accidentes por Minas Antipersonal y Artefactos Explosivos Abandonados), 30 April 2003.
[111] Article 7 Report, Annex 8 (Programación Talleres Regionales de Concientización para la Prevención de Riesgos sobre Minas Antipersonal y Artefactos Explosivos Abandonados,” Plan Operativo para “Promover Cultura de Seguridad y Protección para Prevenir Accidentes por Minas Antipersonal y Artefactos Explosivos Abandonados), 30 April 2003.
[112] “Las armas de la guerrilla en televisión,” El Espectador (Bogotá), 14 August 2002.
[113] “Centro internacional desminado pide prevención en zonas rebeldes,” Caracol (Bogotá), 28 April 2003.
[114] “Antioquia, departamento colombiano con mayor número de minas antipersonales,” El Tiempo, 28 April 2003.
[115] Email to Landmine Monitor from Hector Castro Portillo, CORPOJURIDICA, 13 May 2003.
[116] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Bolívar,” Regional Bulletin No. 2, January 2003, p. 2.
[117] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Victims caused by events of APM/UXO 1990–11 June 2003,” www.derechoshumanos.gov.co, (accessed 3 July 2003). See also Article 7 Report, Form J (“The Rights of the Civilian Victims and the Processes To Access Humanitarian Aids,” pp. 47-50), 30 April 2003. The information in Form J is reportedly taken from the Antipersonnel Mines Observatory as at 15 April 2003 and reports 524 new casualties. Data collection in an on-going process and statistics are continually updated as new casualties, and those from previous periods, are identified.
[118] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Victims caused by events of APM/UXO 1990–11 June 2003,” www.derechoshumanos.gov.co, (accessed 3 July 2003). This is the source for all of the information that follows in this section.
[119] See Landmine Monitor Report 2002, pp. 190-191.
[120] ICRC, “Annual Report 2002,” Geneva, June 2003, p. 209.
[121] Beatriz Elena Gutiérrez Rueda, Coordinator, Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, presentation to the Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 13 May 2003.
[122] Article 7 Report, Form J (“Legal framework for the Attention of the Civilian Victims and their Families,” pp. 51-60), 30 April 2003.
[123] Email to Landmine Monitor (MAC) from Jeannette Perry de Saravia, Director, CIREC, 24 May 2003; CIREC and LSN, “Directorio de Servicios de Rehabilitación, Colombia 2003,” Bogotá, May 2003.
[124] See Landmine Monitor Report 2000, pp. 322-323.
[125] See Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 191.
[126] HIB, “Activity Report 2002,” p. 16; Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 191.
[127] See Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 192.
[128] Email to Landmine Monitor (MAC) from Jeannette Perry de Saravia, Director, CIREC, 29 May 2003.
[129] Ibid., 24 May 2003; “Discapacidad por artefactos explosivos, un rompecabezas por armar,” Dissent Press, 28 May 2003.
[130] Email from Jeannette Perry de Saravia, CIREC, 24 May 2003.
[131] Ibid., 29 May 2003; CIREC, “Las Minas Antipersonal, un rompe-cabezas para armar. Diagnóstico de la Rehabilitación de los sobrevivientes en Colombia,” Bogotá, April 2003.
[132] UN, “Portfolio of Mine-Related Projects 2003,” pp. 90-91.
[133] “Former foes in Colombia's civil war blaze peace trail,” Guardian, 5 June 2003.
[134] Email to Landmine Monitor (MAC) from Hector Castro Portillo, CORPOJURIDICA, 13 May 2003.
[135] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Bolívar,” Regional Bulletin No. 2, January 2003.
[136] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Santander,” Regional Bulletin No. 3, January 2003, p. 2.
[137] “Antioquia, departamento colombiano con mayor número de minas antipersonales,” El Tiempo, 28 April 2003.
[138] “OAS/Mine Assistance Program in Colombia,” ICBL Portfolio of Landmine Victim Assistance Programs, September 2002, at www.landminevap.org.
[139] Article 7 Report, Form A, 30 April 2003.
[140] See Landmine Monitor Report 2002, pp. 192-193.
[141] CIREC, “Las Minas Antipersonal, un rompe-cabezas para armar. Diagnóstico de la Rehabilitación de los sobrevivientes en Colombia,” Bogotá, April 2003, p. 24.
[142] Article 6 of Law 759, 25 July 2002.
[143] For details see Landmine Monitor Report 2002, pp. 192-193.
[144] Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, “Atención a víctimas,” at www.derechoshumanos.gov.co (accessed 2 July 2003).
[145] Ibid; Article 7 Report, Form J (“Legal framework for the Attention of the Civilian Victims and their Families,” pp. 51-60), 30 April 2003.
[146] Ibid.