As part of Landmine Action Week this week (5th to 11th November 2001) Jill Evans MEP has repeated her plea for the bombing of Afghanistan to stop, warning that millions of fleeing Afghans are being driven into some of the biggest landmine fields in the world.

The all-Wales Euro MP says that the innocent victims who are leaving their homes to escape the bombings and to seek aid and refuge are now facing another danger.

The leader of Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales in the European Parliament said:

"Afghanistan is one of the most heavily mined countries on the face of the earth. Landmines already kill and maim more civilians in Afghanistan than in any other country.

"The most heavily mined provinces are those bordering Pakistan and Iran, the major destinations for those who attempt to flee. This adds a new dimension to the impending humanitarian disaster and is another reason to halt the bombings in order to save innocent lives.

"Before the outbreak of the war there was an average of 90 recorded landmine casualties there per month. In 2000, mine action organisations marked and mapped about 126 million square meters of mine contaminated land, having already cleared about 104 million square meters.

"I am supporting Landmine Action Week this week to add my voice to the call for action to be taken to stop cluster bombs, landmines and other unexploded ordnance destroying lives in the world's poorest countries."

Further information about Landmine Action Week can be found on the Landmine Action website at www.landmineaction.org or by telephoning them on 020 7820 0222.

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