Mine Ban Treaty Intersessional Standing Committee Meetings, 27-31 May 2013, Geneva, Switzerland

The meeting of Intersessional Standing Committees (ISC) of the Mine Ban Treaty (MBT) will take place from 27 to 30 May 2013 at the WMO building in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting will include a workshop on victim assistance, taking place 30-31 May.

ICBL critiques the latest Mine Clearance Extension Requests

States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty must make every effort to complete clearance of all mined areas as soon as possible, but no later than ten years after joining the treaty. States that are not in a position to complete clearance within ten years due to exceptional circumstances may request a deadline extension.

So far, 30 states have missed their deadline, much more than ever expected. In many cases, deadlines would have been met if clearance had started on time or had been more efficient. So far in 2013, four states have submitted deadline extension requests, namely Chad, Serbia, Sudan and Turkey.