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Making the Treaties Universal

"Universalization" means getting as many states as possible on board the Mine Ban Treaty and Convention on Cluster Munitions. The ICBL works relentlessly to promote universalization, in partnership with states and key partners such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and United Nations agencies. In order to achieve a truly universal ban on landmines and cluster munitions, non-state armed groups must also be encouraged to ban these weapons.

Mine Ban Treaty

Making the Mine Ban Treaty Universal

Universalization of the Mine Ban Treaty is key to ensure that the goal of "ending the suffering caused by landmines" can be achieved and that the emerging international norm of a total ban on antipersonnel landmines continues to take hold. The ICBL urges all states that still remain outside the treaty to join it at the earliest opportunity.

States Parties

Eighty percent of the world’s countries have agreed to be bound by the Mine Ban Treaty, and many others have indicated their intention to join in the future. Find here the list of all States Parties, some key dates (ratification/accession, entry into force) as well as their deadlines for stockpile destruction and mine clearance.

States Not Party

Most of the countries that have not joined the treaty yet, abide de facto by its provisions and have stopped using, selling and – in many cases - producing landmines. Find here the list of countries that still remain outside the treaty, including signatories that have not yet ratified.

Non-State Armed Groups

Non-state armed groups are using antipersonnel mines in more countries than government forces. In order to achieve a truly universal ban on these weapons, non-state armed groups must be encouraged to ban them. A significant number of non-state armed groups have already pledged to halt landmine use.

Poland Ratifies the Mine Ban Treaty

All European Union now on board -- the United States a lone hold out among NATO states

On 27 December at the United Nations in New York, Poland became the 161st nation to join the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. "We warmly welcome Poland as a full member of the mine ban community. This ratification shows that all countries can and should renounce antipersonnel landmines forever. We hope other countries will now follow in Poland's footsteps, particularly the US." said Kasia Derlicka, ICBL Director.

Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi calls for a ban on mine use in Myanmar/Burma

During a recent ICBL mission to the country, Aung San Suu Kyi gave the organisation a video statement calling on all combatants in Burma to "cease the way of mines".

Nobel Peace Laureate Campaign Condemns Libyan Antipersonnel Mine Use

The ICBL strongly condemns the reported use of antipersonnel mines by the Libyan Armed Forces in recent fighting with rebels in eastern Libya. On 28 March, over 50 antipersonnel and antivehicle mines were discovered near power pylons outside the town of Ajdabiya by electrical technicians. A Human Rights Watch investigation reported that the mines had recently been laid. The Libyan Armed Forces controlled the area from 17–27 March.

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