Miss Landmine Banned of Beauty Pageant

On August 2, 2009 the Cambodian government decided to stop the project of Miss Landmine Cambodia 2009 beauty pageant. This also banned some 20 participants from traveling to join in the ceremony for the reason of protecting the dignity of the amputees.

Miss Landmine Cambodia 2009 Beauty Pageant was donated by a Norwegian NGO, Norwegian People’s Aid [NPA], and managed by Mr. Morten Traavik.

Mr. Morten Traavik said that he felt so sorry that the government had decided to do that. The government had licensed the project since July 2009. He also called the cancel as the blatant example of authoritarian system, the act of blocking access to freedom of movement, express and assembly.

Since 1992 people from Norway are involved in Cambodia, providing technical assistance to the Cambodian Mine Action Center [CMAC]. But Norwegian People’s Aid does not work only on direct landmine clearance. In 1997, NPA was requested by the local authorities to assist in the resettlement of 5,000 displaced families on mine-free and de-mined land. In January 2007, requested by the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority [CMAA], NPA cooperated in Empowering CMAA, to analyze, plan, and use mine action data.

Moreover, the organization directly supported the women, who were the victims of mine through Miss Landmine Cambodia 2009 Beauty Pageant for the purpose of working for gender equality, and against violence and abuse.