Author(s):
Chayer Amelie <amelie@icbl.org> .
Wednesday 09 September 2009
A mine clearance demonstration in Tajikistan. Photo: Tajik CBL
In the second week of July 2009, members of the ICBL gathered in Tajikistan for the Dushanbe Workshop on Achieving a Mine-Free Central Asia, to conduct advocacy and outreach in support of the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions. This was the third in a series of regional workshops convened in the lead-up to the Cartagena Summit.
The ICBL delegation to Dushanbe was comprised of campaigners and victim assistance experts from Afghanistan, Russia, and Tajikistan, including three mine survivors, plus two ICBL staff members.
The Dushanbe Workshop was notable for the participation of three states not yet party to the treaty: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The ICBL called on them to join the treaty as soon as possible and to undertake interim steps towards full accession, such as participating in treaty meetings, disclosing information on and destroying stockpiles, and supporting the annual UN General Assembly resolution on the treaty.
Government representatives from Afghanistan also joined the event alongside their Tajik hosts, as well as some donor states and international and non-governmental organizations. Case studies focused on cooperation in implementing mine clearance obligations. Tajikistan will be requesting an extension to its April 2010 mine clearance deadline at the Cartagena Summit. While at the moment Tajikistan believes it would need almost 10 years to complete its clearance obligations, the ICBL believes that five years should be enough if sufficient international assistance was forthcoming.
A parallel meeting on victim assistance brought together representatives of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, service providers, other victim assistance experts and several mine survivors.
The ICBL contributed with its recommendations to improve victim assistance in the lead up to the Cartagena Summit and beyond.
Workshop participants visited the National Orthopedic Center and a Mine Detection Dog Training Center. Tajikistan was keen to use the demining visit to attract more donor interest in its mine action program.
Throughout the workshop, ICBL representatives also engaged with governments to promote the Convention on Cluster Munitions. So far, only Afghanistan has signed the convention in the region.
Click here to access the ICBL statements, a Landmine Monitor factsheet and further information on the workshop
Kasia Derlicka, ICBL
