Below is an article published by the Irrawaddy:

Burma’s government is the only one in the world “still using antipersonnel mines on a regular basis throughout 2006,” said the New York-based Human Rights Watch on Wednesday.

In a statement on landmine use, the group said villagers and relief workers had reported that, since the start of the harvest season in November, Burmese army soldiers had been laying increasing numbers of antipersonnel mines in front of houses, around rice fields, and along trails leading to fields in order to deter civilians from harvesting their crops.

The army action was depriving villagers of their livelihoods and causing starvation, the group charged.

“In order to separate ethnic armed groups from their civilian population, the Burmese army lays landmines and other explosive devices in order to maim and kill civilians,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

The advocacy group was also concerned about the safety of civilians in conflict zones, particularly in Mon township, where three people were killed and six injured last week when a mine exploded in a kitchen. 

The group drew attention to a report by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, listing at least 231 new landmine casualties, including at least five killed (including two women).

Dozens of civilians had been injured by landmines in northern Karen State so far this year during one of the biggest Burmese army offensives in 10 years, said Human Rights Watch. Many more casualties, including deaths, went unreported, it added.

Burma is not among the 152 states that have joined the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, insisting on its right to use mines for “self-defense.”

Burma’s Military Heavy Industries has reportedly recruited technicians for the production of a new generation of mines and other munitions. The non-state armed group, United Wa State Army, is also alleged to be producing antipersonnel mines at an arms factory formerly belonging to the Burma Communist Party.

Armed ethnic groups have also acquired mines by lifting army-laid mines from the ground, seizing army stocks during attacks, and from the clandestine arms market.

According to the 2006 Landmine Monitor Report, antipersonnel mines were being used in 2005 and 2006 by the Karen National Liberation Army, the Karenni Army, the Shan State Army (South), the Chin National Army, the United Wa State Army, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army and several other non-state armed groups.