Burma is one of the most heavily mined areas in the world, with approximately 1,500 landmine victims, a third of them civilians. According to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), Burma ranks among top in the world for the most extensive use of landmines. The military regime in the country has refused to sign the international treaty banning landmines - clearly sending the message that they have no intention of ensuring that civilians do not continue to be casualties and targets of war.