A promise not yet fulfilled
Nesim Oner, from Diyarbakir, Turkey, was injured in 2004 after playing with a mine while shepherding his family's sheep. He lost one eye and one of his hands, and he was unable to attend school for two years. Photo: Ahmet Sik
The Mine Ban Treaty is the first multilateral disarmament treaty to call upon states to take responsibility in assisting victims of a particular type of weapon. Article 6(3) of the treaty requires that "each State Party in a position to do so shall provide assistance for the care and rehabilitation, and social and economic reintegration, of mine victims..." The ICBL advocates for this promise to become a reality for hundreds of thousands of mine survivors, and for their families and communities.
Who are mine victims?
States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty have agreed that mine victims are all "those who, either individually or collectively, have suffered physical, emotional and psychological injury, economic loss or substantial impairment of their fundamental rights through acts or omissions related to mine utilization." This includes all those injured or killed by mines, their families, and affected communities.
The field reality 10 years after the Mine Ban Treaty
In addition to overcoming physical trauma, mine survivors struggle to achieve social acceptance, gain meaningful employment and ensure their rights are respected. Mine survivors and other people with disabilities are among the most impoverished groups in every society. Funding for victim assistance remains insufficient and programs inadequate in all but a handful of mine-affected countries.
