The ICBL is committed to an international ban on the use, production, stockpiling, and sale, transfer, or export of antipersonnel landmines. We call for increased resources for humanitarian demining, mine risk education and landmine survivor rehabilitation and assistance. We also call for universal membership of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty since this offers the best framework for solving this humanitarian crisis: putting the ban into practice and assisting affected communities.
What is the Mine Ban Treaty?
The 1997 Mine Ban Treaty is the international agreement that bans antipersonnel landmines. Sometimes called the Ottawa convention, its official title is: the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction.
The treaty is the most comprehensive international instrument for ridding the world of the scourge of mines. It prohibits any use, production or trade of antipersonnel mines, and requires destruction of stockpiled mines in four years, clearance of mined areas in ten years, and assistance to mine victims. It also provides for monitoring and compliance of treaty obligations, including through regular meetings of member states and annual reports.
In December 1997 a total of 122 governments signed the treaty in Ottawa, Canada. In September the following year, Burkina Faso was the 40th country to ratify, triggering entry into force six months later; thus, in March 1999 the treaty became binding under international law, and did so quicker than any treaty of its kind in history.
Today, ratification of the treaty by signatories and accession by non-signatories continues apace and the majority of countries have joined up. For the latest list of State Parties to the treaty see this treaty members page.
Implementation of the treaty also continues on different levels. The high rate of compliance with the first treaty deadline on March 2003, which required destruction of stockpiled mines, was encouraging.
Has the treaty made a difference to the global landmine crisis?
Yes, on the whole we are encouraged. A great deal of headway has been made since the treaty came into force in March 1999:
- production of antipersonnel mines has dropped considerably and trade has almost come to a halt;
- there has been widespread and extensive destruction of stockpiled mines: millions of antipersonnel mines have been eradicated and can never ever be used;
- vast tracts of land have been cleared and put back into productive use; and
- most importantly, there are now fewer new mine victims each year.
A street poster campaign in South Africa drives home the ongoing reality... despite the progress. Cape Town, 2003. Credit: TBWA.
We especially welcome the news that mine use has halted in several countries where it has been widespread in recent years, including Angola (since the April 2002 peace agreement) and Sri Lanka (since a cease-fire in December 2001). Similarly, rebel use stopped in 2002 in Angola and Sri Lanka and we have received no new allegations of use by rebels in FYR Macedonia, Senegal, and Uganda.
The new international norm – where use anywhere by anyone – is gathering strength. More and more states are joining the treaty and working hard to implement it fully. An increasing number of non-member states are responding to international pressure and abiding by the spirit of the agreement.
Not all good news
However, despite this progress, concerns remain:
- mine use by states and non-state actors continues in several conflicts
- mine production in more than a dozen countries is still a reality
- the absolute number of mine survivors keeps growing each year.
Until there are no more mines in stockpiles and in the ground, civilians will keep paying the price for landmine use. And throughout their lifetimes they will continue to need help in order to lead dignified lives as contributing members of their families and communities.