Author(s):
Site Admin <webmaster2@icbl.org> .
Friday 27 February 2009
How Could your Government Recommit to a Mine-Free World?
To show that it is serious about its commitment to a mine-free world, the Italian government must restore the Humanitarian Demining Fund, which was completely cancelled in the 2009 Budget Law. This is a major set-back as it endangers the continuity of life-saving mine action projects in many countries. It is also at odds with the pledge for “renewed support” to clearance and victim assistance activities made by Italy when signing the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Oslo on 3 December.»
Giuseppe Schiavello, Italian Campaign to Ban Landmines
Iraq has to pay great attention to the huge number of victims of mines and UXO in the country, and to meet the challenge to establish a strong national «mine action authority» for the whole country. It will then have to develop its own objectives toward a country free of mines and work to create an environment in which all the victims are living on an equal basis within society.»
Sardar Sidiq Abdulkarim, KORD Iraq
Cambodia: Congratulations on ten years of good mine action. Keep up the good work by clearing the 21 most mined districts as soon as possible, assisting all survivors and passing a national law on disability!»
Song Kosal, ICBL Youth Ambassador, Cambodia Campaign to Ban Landmines
Nicaragua has experienced first-hand the devastating consequences of landmines. It has been one of the first countries to join the Mine Ban Treaty, and has hosted the 3rd Meeting of the States Parties in 2001. It is now the last mine-affected state in Central America. I hope my country respects its commitment to completing clearance by 1 May 2010, so we can celebrate a mine-free Central America at last. As one of the 26 States Parties with significant numbers of survivors, Nicaragua has yet to implement concrete plans to ensure all victims receive full assistance, including in rural areas.»
Yassir Chavarria Gutierrez, ICBL Nicaragua
Landmines and ERW have claimed over 749 victims in southern Senegal. But thanks to the efforts from committed stakeholders, landmine accidents keep decreasing in my country as they do throughout the world. Yet, the mine and explosive remnants of war problem is by no means solved. We still have two crucial battles to win – mine victims must receive all the assistance they are entitled to, and the new Convention on Cluster Munitions must be ratified.»
Mamady Gassama, Senegalese Mine Victims Association
