4 April Press Release-Success on Mine Action Depends on Success of the Mine Ban Treaty

"It is not enough to provide funding and rhetorical support for mine action, if you continue to insist on the need to use antipersonnel mines," said Sylvie Brigot, ICBL Executive Director. The ICBL called on all States not Party to the treaty to join in the shortest possible delay.

It also called on States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty to remain vigilant on full implementation of the treaty, including providing sufficient national and international resources until all treaty provisions have been respected. "Raising awareness on mine action and victim assistance is definitely needed," said Ms. Brigot. "But the UN Day should be used as an opportunity to strongly promote adherence to and implementation of the Antipersonnel Mine Ban Treaty by all UN member states. It is the only legal instrument that will lead to the eradication of antipersonnel mines and support for landmine survivors."

The treaty banning all use, production, stockpiling and transfers of antipersonnel mines was signed in Ottawa, Canada in December 1997 and became international law on 1 March 1999. The treaty also calls on States Parties to destroy all mines in all known mined areas within 10 years of joining the treaty, and to destroy stockpiled mines within four. As Depositary of the treaty the United Nations has the responsibility to promote universal adherence and implementation of the treaty as confirmed by the United Nations Inter Agency Mine Action Strategy for 2006-2010.

"The Antipersonnel Mine Ban Treaty has established a sound legal framework for stopping mine use and dealing with the problems caused by past proliferation of these weapons," said Tamar Gabelnick, ICBL Treaty Implementation Director. The treaty's 10-year deadline to clear all known mined areas of antipersonnel mines has been a strong motivation for mine-affected and donor states to act quickly to remove and destroy emplaced mines.

"At the same time, firm and sustained commitment by all States Parties is needed to ensure that all mined areas are cleared and that the final goal of a world free of landmines can truly be achieved." Gabelnick added. International financial assistance for mine action, mandated by the treaty, dropped for the first time in 2005."

The Mine Ban Treaty has also elevated the issue of landmine survivors' needs and rights by requiring States Parties to "provide assistance for the care and rehabilitation, and social and economic reintegration, of mine victims..." "Cleaning up the mines is key to preventing new accidents," said Wanda Munoz from Handicap International and co-chair of the ICBL Working Group on Victim Assistance, "but hundreds of thousands of landmines have already claimed victims, and those survivors must receive proper social support and medical care - for life. This is their right."

The ICBL strongly encourages all states, including States not Party to the treaty, to develop victim assistance goals and plans in close coordination with survivors themselves, as well as all pertinent local, national, and international actors. Programs should be non-discriminatory, accessible, comprehensive, sustainable, and tailored to individual and community needs. The ICBL also encourages all states to sign and ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which complements the Mine Ban Treaty's victim assistance obligations.

While 153 countries now adhere to the Mine Ban Treaty, there remain 42 states that have not yet joined the treaty, including several producers and a small number of states that still employ antipersonnel mines. Adherence to the treaty remains particularly low in areas including Asia and the Middle East.

"A total ban on antipersonnel landmines cannot be truly achieved unless and until all states in the world legally commit themselves to never using, producing or trading antipersonnel mines again," said Simona Beltrami, ICBL Advocacy Director.

The ICBL also called on all States Parties to the treaty to renew their diplomatic efforts to ensure universal adherence to the treaty.

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Sylvie Brigot, at + 33 6 07 17 27 76 or brigot@icbl.org

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