Deminer (file photo)

8am: Richard Bennett, the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, stated ahead of the International Day for Mine Awareness that unexploded ordnance caused 471 civilian casualties in Afghanistan last year. On Thursday, April 2, in a report on casualties from unexploded mines in Afghanistan, Bennett expressed particular concern over child victims. He called on the international community to invest in demining operations and the protection of Afghanistan citizens’ lives. He added that 67 percent of casualties from explosions involve children. Click here to read more (external link).