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The Mine Ban Treaty is the international agreement that bans
antipersonnel landmines. It is sometimes called the Ottawa
Convention and its official title is: the Convention on the Prohibition
of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on
Their Destruction.
The treaty is the most comprehensive international instrument for
ridding the world of the scourge of mines. It deals with everything
from mine use, production and trade, to victim assistance, mine clearance and
stockpile destruction.
152 states have joined the treaty. Of these, 143 have ratified or acceded and are full States Parties. While a further 9 states are signatories, having signed but not yet ratified the treaty.
In Asia there are 17 States Parties to the treaty: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Japan, Kiribati, Malaysia, Maldives, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Thailand and Timor-Leste.
There are five Asian signatories: Brunei, Cook Islands, Indonesia, Marshall Islands and Vanuatu.
47 countries remain outside the treaty altogether,
including: China, Egypt, Finland, India, Israel, Pakistan, Russia and the United
States.
In Asia there are 18 non-signatories: Bhutan, Burma/Myanmar,
China, India, Korea (North), Korea (South), Laos, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nepal,
Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Tuvalu and
Vietnam.
In December 1997 a total of 122 governments signed the treaty in Ottawa, Canada. In September the following year, Burkina Faso was the 40 th country to ratify, triggering entry into force six months later. Thus, in March 1999 the treaty became binding under international law, and did so quicker than any treaty of its kind.
Today, the treaty is still open for ratification by signatories and accession by those that did not sign by March 1999.