Ratification Update #5

Ratifications update #5

Steve Goose, Human Rights Watch. 24/6/98

This is the fifth update on Mine Ban Treaty ratification and
signature. We now have 19 ratifications (adding Denmark, Bolivia,
Mexico, Fiji, and Peru since the last update) and 126 signatories
(none since the last update). A message was mistakenly circulated to
some that Malawi had deposited its ratification -- it has not.

Official Ratifications deposited at the United Nations: Canada,
Ireland, Mauritius, Turkmenistan, Holy See, San Marino, Switzerland,
Hungary, Niue, Belize, Trinidad&Tobago, Djibouti, Croatia, Mali,
Denmark, Bolivia, Mexico, Fiji, Peru.

Others that have apparently already passed ratification legislation,
but not yet deposited it at the UN: Andorra, Austria, Bosnia,
Botswana, Guinea, Mozambique, Norway, South Africa, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

According to our previous reports, among those expected to pass
ratification legislation soon are Belgium, Colombia, France, Germany,
Spain and Sweden.

WE ARE NEARLY HALF-WAY TO THE 40 RATIFICATIONS NEEDED FOR ENTRY INTO FORCE OF THE TREATY. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRESS GOVERNMENTS TO MAKE THIS A TOP PRIORITY, AS THE MINE CRISIS DICTATES.

AND PLEASE CONTINUE TO SEND ME INFORMATION, EVEN IF ONLY A LINE OR TWO. JUST THE ACT OF ASKING YOUR GOVERNEMENT WHERE THINGS STAND ON RATIFICATION CAN SPUR ACTION! THANKS

ALBANIA

On June 11, in Tirana, Minister of Defense Mr. Hajdaraga declared to
the Under Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Jayantha
Dhanapala that Albania is ready to sign the treaty and is preparing
the necessary procedures and documents to do that.
Despite war in Kosova, Albanian armed forces are not placing mines.
[Dhimiter Haxhimihali, Albanian Committee of Anti-Mine Friends --
6/13/98]

BOLIVIA

Bolivia deposited its ratification on June 9, becoming #16.

DENMARK

Denmark deposited its ratification on June 8, becoming #15.

FIJI

Fiji deposited its ratification on June 10, becoming #18.

JAPAN

On 15 June 1998, a symposium to call for Japan's ratification of the
Ottawa Treaty was held in Tokyo by the Japan Campaign to Ban
Landmines(JCBL). More than 120 participants gathered to discuss the
issue. Mr. Yukihisa Fujita, Member of the House of Representatives,
said he will push the government to submit the draft law for
ratification to the Autumn Session of the House of Representatives.
Government officials made clear that the Japan-US Security Treaty is
the only reason for the delay in the ratification process. A Foreign
Ministry official said to tackle this problem, the Japanese government
has obtained information from several NATO countries proceeding to
ratification. Although they are still studying these papers, they have
reached almost the final stage.

The JCBL and the participants expressed their strong request towards
the Japanese government to make a political decision very soon and not
to go into further time-consuming disputes with regard to the US Army.
The JCBL wishes that Japan clearly shows its independent landmine
policy by ratifying the Ottawa Treaty. The JCBL is planning several
events during summer to raise public awareness and to build momentum
for the earliest possible ratification.
[Ms. Motoko Mekata/Japan Campaign to Ban Landmines -- June 19, 1998]

MEXICO

Mexico ratified on June 9, becoming #17.

NEW ZEALAND

NZ legislation should be out in ten days or so, and NZ should ratify
in about 8 weeks, with luck.
[Andrew Ladley -- 6/16/98]

The text of the necessary legislation is almost complete and should be
tabled in Parliament next week. Then comes the First Reading and its
referral to the Select Committee. Parliament now has new procedures
for approving International Treaties and the Ottawa Treaty will be the
first to be considered. No political party will be opposing it, but
parliamentary routines take time.
[John Head, CALM -- 6/16/98]

NORWAY

The Norwegian Parliament voted June 16 in favor of ratification of the
ban treaty. The ratification is without exceptions to the convention
signed in December, but is of course in the context of the political
understanding between Norway and the US regarding US stockpiles. The ratification will be formalized by the King (Government) either this
Friday (June 19) or next, and the instrument of ratification will be
sent to UN.
[Christian Ruge, NPA -- 6/18/98]

PERU

Peru deposited its ratification on June 17, becoming #19.

VENEZUELA

The foreign minister of Venezuela told Human Rights Watch that
ratification was being considered by the legislature, and that he
would push to make it a high priority.
[HRW Americas Division -- 6/22/98]

==
Sign/Ratify the Treaty!Clear Mines!Help Survivors!
Liz Bernstein
International Campaign to Ban Landmines
PO Box 2189
Maputo,Mozambique
Tel: +258 1 49 39 81/2; Fax: +258 1 49 39 80
email: banemnow-at-mail-tropical-co-mz