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The Treaty

These pages provide the text and updates on universalization and implementation of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. The Mine Ban Treaty is the international agreement that bans antipersonnel landmines. Sometimes referred to as the Ottawa Convention, its official title is: the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer or Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. The treaty is the most comprehensive international instrument for ridding the world of the scourge of antipersonnel mines. It deals with everything from mine use, production and trade, to victim assistance, mine clearance and stockpile destruction. In December 1997 a total of 122 governments signed the treaty in Ottawa, Canada. In September the following year, Burkina Faso became the 40th country to ratify the agreement, triggering entry into force six months later. Thus, in March 1999 the treaty became binding under international law, and did so more quickly than any treaty of its kind in history. Today, the treaty is still open for ratification by signatories and for accession by those that did not sign before March 1999.
Mine Ban Treaty 101 A guide to the treaty and the Ottawa Process	Text of the Mine Ban Treaty Here you can find the full text of the Mine Ban Treaty in all available languages.	States Parties The States that are party to the treaty
States not Parties Holdouts: The countries that remain outside the Treaty, including those who have signed but not yet ratified.	Prohibitions What acts are and are not permitted under Article 1?	Definitions Article 2: What is an antipersonnel mine?
Stockpiles Articles 3 & 4: Stockpiled antipersonnel mines and their destruction.	Mine Action Article 5: Mine action	Article 7 Reporting Article 7: State reporting and the ICBL’s Landmine Monitor
Compliance Article 8: Facilitation and clarification of compliance	National Legislation Article 9: Legal, administrative and other measures.	Treaty Meetings Articles 11 & 12: Information about official treaty-related meetings.
Campaigning tools for the 10th anniversary of the mine ban treaty 10th Anniversary	United Nations UN General Assembly resolutions in support of the total ban	Landmine Monitor The ICBL's treaty verification system, including annual reports and frequently updated factsheets.

These pages provide the text and updates on universalization and implementation of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty.

The Mine Ban Treaty is the international agreement that bans antipersonnel landmines. Sometimes referred to as the Ottawa Convention, its official title is: the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer or Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction.

The treaty is the most comprehensive international instrument for ridding the world of the scourge of antipersonnel mines. It deals with everything from mine use, production and trade, to victim assistance, mine clearance and stockpile destruction.

In December 1997 a total of 122 governments signed the treaty in Ottawa, Canada. In September the following year, Burkina Faso became the 40th country to ratify the agreement, triggering entry into force six months later. Thus, in March 1999 the treaty became binding under international law, and did so more quickly than any treaty of its kind in history. Today, the treaty is still open for ratification by signatories and for accession by those that did not sign before March 1999.