Landmine compensation – Libya demands recompense for past sins
Libya has successfully brought Italy to the compensation table forcing them to pay millions of dollars as retribution for the deaths and mutilations of those impacted by landmines left behind by Italy. Now, Libya is suing Britain for them to also make recompense. Libya has good reason to demand compensation. UN reports show that between 1940 and 1975, 5,670 Libyans were killed and 4,935 injured by mines laid by countries taking part in the Second World War.
We are supportive of this trend. It may well encourage past colonial powers to clean up the mess they left behind in terms of unexploded ordinances in conflict zones around the world. Perhaps the US should pay for its past sins in Cambodia, as an example. Cambodia is a country where there are still an estimated 6 million active mines of various persuasions remaining from past conflicts. These mines cause around 35 deaths a month, and already 40,000 people have lost limbs due to land mines. This gives Cambodia the unenviable record of having the most amputees per capita (about one in every 275 people have lost a limb!). We have reported before on the terrible legacy left behind by landmines and cluster bombs, and how it is often children who withstand the worst of this. It somehow seems the least that could be done is to pay compensation, and to rid these nations of this terrible legacy.
Sphere: Related ContentA source close to the Libyan leader’s son, Saif Gaddafi, said: “What British governments have failed to understand is that these claims are as much about Libyan pride as they are about compensation, they are a very proud nation and even injustices that may have taken place a long time ago still really matter.”
In a recent statement to the United Nations on the issue of mines the Libyans said: “Libya had nothing to do with the circumstance that led to the outbreak of the Second World War and should not continue to suffer the tragic consequences of that war. The countries that waged that war and brought it to our territory are responsible for the problems we face today as a result of their war and must assume responsibility for their actions.
“We would welcome a positive response, but any attempt to shirk this responsibility will not release these countries from their duty. There is no statute of limitation on such responsibilities and the countries concerned will continue to be held liable so long as innocent citizens continue to suffer or die as a result of their mines.”
Libya pressing for landmines payout – Africa, World – The Independent
