Landmine Monitor release in Battambang

Last week, the Cambodia Campaign to Ban Landmines organized the Landmine Monitor Report 2009 release in at the Jesuit Service center in Battambang, which doubled as a send-off event for representatives from Cambodia headed to Cartagena for the Second Review Conference of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty. Hundreds of survivors and people living in mine-affected communities attended the event, as did representatives from the Cambodia Campaign to Landmines, the Australian Embassy, the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Center, and UNDP Cambodia.


In addition to sharing relevant information from the Landmine Monitor, the interfaith event included dancing, singing and moving words from survivors and people active in the campaign to ban landmines and cluster bombs.

Ms. Song Kosal opened the event (she'll also be opening the global conference), then representatives from Buddhist, Muslim, and Christian communities gave their blessings.

Next, there was a beautiful Apsara (the traditional dance in Cambodia) wheelchair dance:

The dancers served as an inspiration for Spanish volunteer Maria, who designed the logo:

Next, Sister Denise Coghlan provided an overview of key findings, followed by Man Sokheunn, a young survivor who was featured in a book by award-winning Spanish artist Gervasio Sanchez. He spoke about the importance of banning landmines.

Representatives from the Australian Embassy and the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority also gave remarks.

The event closed with a performance of the landmine dance, which was created in Banteay Preap in 1996 but continues to be performed.