Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), addresses the August 26 opening ceremony of a conference on the rights of mine survivors in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Supplied
Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), has shared the Kingdom’s successes in the field of caring for the victims of mines with the world.
He reported that thousands of Cambodians who have been affected by landmines are receiving essential health care, legal assistance and psychological support. This comprehensive aid is helping victims rebuild their lives and make significant contributions to their communities, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Cambodian government.
He delivered the remarks as he addressed the August 26 opening ceremony of the Regional Conference on Advancing Victim Assistance Implementation and Cooperation in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
“Cambodia, as a nation that used to bear the brunt of landmines, has become a beacon of hope and resilience," he said, speaking on behalf of the Kingdom as chair of the 2024 Ottawa Convention.
According to the CMAA, from January 1979 to July 2024, 65,074 landmine and UXO victims were recorded. This included 51,202 (79%) incidents involving mines and 13,872 (21%) involving UXOs.
Their report recorded 19,831 fatalities, 9,095 permanent disabilities, including amputations, and 36,148 other injuries, many of them serious.
Among the victims, 52,698 were men and 6,121 were boys under the age 18. 4,796 women were recorded, along with 1,396 girls under 18. Tragically, 63 victims remain unidentified.
During the conference, Thuch acknowledged the important achievements made so far but stressed that more work is needed. The global community continues to face the harsh consequences of landmines, and many survivors still encounter significant barriers to receiving the help they need, he noted.
He believed that the conference serves as a reminder of the collective effort and commitment required to address the humanitarian impact of landmines and other issues caused by conflicts. The attendees should not only focus on providing aid to victims but also on promoting dignity, rights and future prospects for all affected individuals.
"As a global community, we must be determined not to leave anyone behind," he said.
"A peaceful world requires not only the absence of war, but also the presence of justice, dignity and hope for humanity,” he added.
Thuch recalled that 25 years ago, the international community took a decisive step by establishing the Mine Ban Treaty, a milestone agreement born from a collaboration between civil society organisations and governments to address the humanitarian crisis caused by landmines.
He described the document as not just a legal instrument, but a moral declaration that the world would not stand idly by in the face of suffering.
Since then, the treaty has made substantial progress, particularly in integrating victim assistance into national policies related to health, education and employment.
"As a global community, we must be determined not to leave anyone behind," he said. "A peaceful world requires not only the absence of war, but also the presence of justice, dignity and hope for humanity."
He concluded by calling for all stakeholders to consider the Siem Reap-Angkor Action Plan – which will be issued at the upcoming November mine-action summit in Siem Reap province – and to continue to lead with vision and compassion to explore new boundaries, methods, cooperation, and renewed commitment to ensure no victim is left behind.
He urged that the implementation of the action plan be comprehensive, successful and effective.
