Author(s):
Chayer Amelie <amelie@icbl.org> .
Thursday 20 May 2010
Photo: Giovanni Diffidenti
The U.S. administration is conducting a comprehensive review of its landmine policy to determine whether the U.S. will join the Mine Ban Treaty.
The United States has not used antipersonnel mines since 1991, has had an export ban in place since 1992, and has not produced since 1997. The United States is the world's largest individual contributor for mine action and mine victim assistance programs, and it should match its financial commitment with a political commitment to end the threat of the use of landmines.
As a citizen from any country, you can tell President Obama that you support the landmine ban and want to see the United States join the Mine Ban Treaty without delay. As Commander in Chief, President Obama has an opportunity to get U.S. landmine policy back on the right track!
Click here to sign the petition "World to Obama: Ban Landmines" launched by Avaaz.org. The link will open in a new window.
Click here to use the United States Campaign to Ban Landmines' online tool to send your letter. The link will open in a new window.
Click here to use Human Rights Watch's online tool to send your letter. The link will open in a new window.
Additional information:
U.S. Senators and Representatives Support Ban on Landmines: Letters Sent to President Obama, 18 May 2010, USCBL press release
Landmines "Counterproductive" -- United States Must Join the Mine Ban Treaty, 1 April 2010, ICBL press release on the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
Time for the United States to Join the Mine Ban Treaty, 1 March 2010, ICBL press release on the 11th anniversary of the entry into force of the Mine Ban Treaty
U.S. React to Civil Society Outcry on Landmine Treaty Policy, 2 December 2009 -- ICBL News
United States' Shameful Landmine Policy -- Opinion Editorial by Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Peace Laureate, published in the Los Angeles Times on 1 December 2009