Author(s):
Chayer Amelie <amelie@icbl.org> .
Tuesday 01 December 2009
The United Nations First Committee. Photo: Mary Wareham
From 12-23 October 2009, ICBL campaigners gathered in New York to conduct advocacy and outreach in favor of the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions, alongside colleagues from the Cluster Munition Coalition. Campaigners from both coalitions met with representatives of 50 governments to discuss both treaties during the annual meeting of the United Nations First Committee (Disarmament and International Security). In addition to lobbying meetings, a briefing on preparations for the Cartagena Summit was held, and the ICBL took the floor during a session of the First Committee.
“Antipersonnel mines have now been so thoroughly stigmatized that it is time for the remaining 39 states not party to join the Mine Ban Treaty. Doing so will bring great humanitarian and political benefit, with little to no cost in giving up an outmoded and outcast weapon. It is not too late to get on the right side of humanity and history,” said Steve Goose, who addressed the First Committee as Head of the ICBL delegation.
