Author(s):
Mary Wareham <wareham@hrw.org> .
Zagreb, Croatia,
Tuesday 06 December 2005
International Cooperation and Assistance, General Status and Operation (Art. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9)
I) ICBL Presentations:
Steve Goose from Human Rights Watch, in a plenary session
Steve Goose, HRW, gave interventions on Articles 1 & 2, and Article 7. Regarding Article 1, he raised the issue that States Parties, under the ban on "assist", should feel obligated to divest from any companies involved in AP mine production, a topic made more relevant by pending US decision to resume production. On Article 2, he re-confirmed to States Parties that victim-activated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are banned, and pointed out that countries like Croatia and the Czech Republic are keeping and and even offering for sale anti-vehicle mines with tilt rods that should be prohibited under the definition of Art. 2. He gave his support to the proposal to extend Form D on mines retained under Art. 3.
II) ICBL Concerns:
- The meeting sped through several significant issues for ICBL with little or no discussion, such as Article 1 (interpretations) and Article 2 (definitions).
III) ICBL Highlights:
- Slovenia stated that any mine that can be activated by the presence or contact of a person should be included in the definition of an anti-personnel mine, which represents a change in their position
- Germany described its concern that not enough States Parties have taken domestic steps to legislate the ban listing reasons why such measures are important and urging SPs to follow precedents taken in other international agreements such as the Chemical Weapons Convention to encourage action.
- The U.K. spoke on behalf of the EU about Landmine Monitor’s reporting of per capita mine action donations, noting that when the EC country contributions are also taken into account the per capita figures are notably higher. Landmine Monitor has discussed this table with several countries, most notably France.
- States agreed on the proposal to amend Article 7 Form D on mines retained for training and research
IV) Other information:
- States Parties agreed that the next Meeting of States Parties will be held from 18-22 September 2006 in Geneva. Australia will be the president.
Quote of the Day:
"I would like to speak about the crucial importance of Landmine Monitor Report 2005, which we regard as the principal reference document regarding our fight against antipersonnel mines." – UK delegation on behalf of the EU.
ICBL Statements
ICBL Intervention on Transparency and Exchange of Information: Articles 1 and 2, 1 December 2005
ICBL Intervention on Transparency and Exchange of Information: Article 7, 1 December 2005
