A one-and-a-half-tonne mountain of shoes, representing lives and limbs lost by landmines, was built on the steps of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, in London in October.

The pile and accompanying vigil were intended to highlight the British GovernmentÕs perceived ambivalence to the banning of landmines. The event was ordained by the UK Working Group in Landmines, which includes organisations such as Save the Children, Christian Aid, Oxfam and Cafod.

It is estimated that more than 100 million landmines are planted throughout the world, and 26,000 people are killed and injured each year. The majority of victims are civilians, and one in five are children.

The London vigil coincided with the start of a three-day conference in Ottawa, Canada, which aimed to adopt an action plan for working towards a global ban on antipersonnel mines.

The Anglican Consultative Council meeting in Panama this month also called for Governments not to engage in the manufacture, import, export, storage sale or purchase of land-mines. A resolution also urged people to support programmes which help rid countries of landmines.

Article from: Church Times