Author(s):
Site Admin <webmaster2@icbl.org> .
Friday 27 February 2009
In the past few months, the 28 Victim Assistance Focal Points identified by the ICBL in 26 affected countries have been diligently working to bring changes in the lives of landmine survivors and persons with disabilities.
They have developed their own national advocacy plans for the year 2009 and beyond, aiming to:
- Strengthen the network of civil society through establishing civil society fora, committees, task forces etc. to protect the rights and dignity of all persons with disabilities including survivors,
- Strengthen the coordination and communication between governments and civil society organizations;
- Ensure that governments appoint points of contact on victim assistance within the relevant ministries;
- Ensure that survivors, their organizations and other relevant civil society organizations are a part of planning and implementation of victim assistance programs;
- Ensure that governments establish a good monitoring mechanism on the implementation of their victim assistance plans and objectives.
Through these actions, civil society is seeking to help states to achieve their goals by the 2nd Review Conference. This is a landmark moment in the life of the Mine Ban Treaty and it is therefore crucial to make sure that states take seriously their responsibility in addressing the needs of survivors as they committed to do and as survivors and their families are expecting.
These initiatives will only be successful if common interests and commitment exist between civil society organizations and relevant government branches.
The VA experts will share their knowledge and the lessons learned on the implementation of victim assistance provisions under the Mine Ban Treaty in a series of regional conferences that will take place throughout 2009 in Nicaragua, Thailand, Tajikistan, Albania and in the Middle East.
The experts will also propose solutions to overcome the challenges that lie ahead on the road to full implementation of victim assistance provisions ahead of the 2nd Review Conference. The ICBL encourages campaigners, victim assistance focal points and victim assistance experts to participate in regional conferences and contribute finding better ways to advance the cause of victim assistance and socio-economic reintegration.
Firoz Ali Alizada, ICBL
