Victim Assistance: Words into Deeds

Mr. President,

First, we would like to acknowledge the work that has been done to date and the commitments undertaken by States Parties in the Action Plan. We take this opportunity to remind the distinguished delegates that Victim Assistance is a lifetime commitment, and sustainability is key. Landmine survivors and other persons with disabilities are often among the most impoverished group in every society, as many States have noted. Many landmine survivors do not have access to some of their most basic needs: food security, access to water, adequate housing, roads, a means of earning an income, health care, or access to rehabilitation services.

We enthusiastically support and appreciate the commitments made. We are pleased that much of our input has been included already and have specific comments or reflections on only three Action Points.

On Action Number 33, rights do matter. Legislation that comprehensively ensures the rights of persons with disabilities, of which landmine victims are a part, must be established and implemented to ensure that we have recourse at the national level. In this respect, we encourage States Parties to support the process of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and would urge the inclusion of wording to this effect in the Action Plan, as we have previously submitted. As several States Parties have mentioned the draft Convention, we believe this should be met with support.

Regarding Action Number 36, the Draft Review has identified 23 mine-affected States Parties with significant numbers of landmine survivors that will become a more focused challenge for the Convention over the next five years. It is clear greater focus on Victim Assistance is necessary. However, flexibility is also necessary to accommodate new information becoming available in mine-affected countries and as States with significant numbers of survivors join the Convention, for example, Ethiopia. The ICBL urges that rights and needs of the tens of thousands of landmine survivors in States not party to the Convention are not overlooked because of the stance taken by their governments. In this regard, we are pleased to note that several donor States Parties do make exceptions for urgent humanitarian concerns, such as the Netherlands and Norway.

And finally on Action Number 37, we support the position of the ICRC in that the wording on this Action is not clear and requires clarification. The ICRC’s proposal would also make this Action item under Victim Assistance consistent with other parts of the Action Plan, namely Action Number 53. In this regard, we would also urge States Parties to consider Form J as an integral, if voluntary, part of their article 7 reporting obligations.

We would also like to support the ICRC’s addition of the word “interim” to the aim of zero new victims in Action Number 20.

In conclusion, the common goal is to change the quality of life of landmine survivors, their families, and their communities. So we accordingly urge all States Parties to ensure that decisions taken in this Summit are communicated at all levels, including relevant line ministries, program implementers, national service providers, (government and NGO alike), and donors, so that they can transform these words into deeds.

The ICBL, which includes landmine survivors, is here for the long term and we will hold you and ourselves accountable to ensure that all landmine survivors enjoy their right to the Convention’s promise to the hundreds and thousand of landmine survivors around the world, as well as for their families and communities.

Thank you for your attention.