Printed from: www.icbl.org/news/icbl_news/icbl_news_02

 
Printer Friendly VersionTell a friend about this page

ICBL NEWS, Sept 05

The ICBL NEWS is a quarterly newsletter prepared and disseminated by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). It reflects the activities of the ICBL, its member organizations, its partner agencies and pro-ban governments in a three-month period. Previously called the Landmine Update, the first edition of the ICBL NEWS was distributed at the Intersessional Standing Committee Meetings in June. The main distribution is done through web and e-mail, with a paper edition prepared and distributed twice a year during the Intersessional Standing Committee Meetings, and the Meeting of States Parties. All future and past issues as well as subscription information is available at http://www.icbl.org/news/icbl_news. The ICBL solicits contributions to the ICBL NEWS, as well as any clarifications and comments.

__________________________________________________________________________

Is the US Ready to Begin Production of a New Antipersonnel Mine?

At the beginning of August, Human Rights Watch – a founding member of the ICBL – reported that the Bush Administration will decide in December whether to begin production of a new antipersonnel mine called Spider.

The ICBL is extremely concerned about these US plans which open the door for new production and possibly export of antipersonnel mines. This stands in stark contrast to the reality in the rest of the world, where the norm of a total ban of the weapon is firmly taking hold. There are 146 States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty, and many countries that have not yet joined the treaty have instituted a moratorium on production, exports and even use of antipersonnel mines.

In February 2004, the Bush Administration announced its decision to continue using non-persistent (self-destructing and deactivating) mines, reversing the long standing US position to search for alternatives to antipersonnel landmines with the view that the US join the treaty by 2006.

The ICBL supports the recommendations made by HRW in its briefing paper* and urges all States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty to immediately raise their objections to the possible renewed production of antipersonnel mines by the United States.

What Can You Do?

Meet with government officials and urge them to raise their objections, engage local media, create public support through letter writing campaigns, petition signing, or anything else that involves the public.

* To access the HRW briefing paper click here.

ARTICLE 5 WORKSHOP

A number of issues related to Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty - the mine clearance provision - need to be addressed by States Parties. The ICBL has an important role to play in pushing this process forward. In order to develop its strategy and policy proposals, the ICBL will be holding a workshop on 21 and 22 September in Geneva on Article 5 implementation and compliance. The workshop will bring together those people in ICBL who work on mine action with those who focus on treaty issues. Subjects for discussion in the implementation category include achieving on-time Article 5 completion in a maximum number of states, defining completion, and criteria/procedure for Article 5 deadline extensions. Subjects under the compliance heading include possible cases of Article 5 violations, ICBL strategy in addressing these problems, and what actions to recommend to States Parties. Please contact Tamar Gabelnick at tamar@icbl.org if you are interested in attending.

Intersessional Standing Committee Meetings

The Intersessional Standing Committee Meetings (ISCM) took place this year from 13-17 June, in Geneva. On the eve of the ISCM the new ICBL advisory board met to discuss ICBL priorities and met the new ICBL staff headed by the Executive Director, Anne Capelle. Later that evening new and old members and friends of the campaign enjoyed a boat cruise along Lac Léman where there was an appreciation of the work done by HRW, as the lead agency of the Landmine Monitor since 1998, and an informal handover of the Management of the Landmine Monitor to Mines Action Canada.

Throughout the week campaigners did a considerable amount of advocacy work as they met with individual government delegations, and participated in all aspects of the ISCM. The ICBL and LM team also met with donors to present the new ICBL structure. Overall, the ICBL’s visibility during the ISCM was very strong and reconfirmed the ICBL’s strong energy and continued commitment.

ICBL Impels China and Mongolia Towards Early Accession

From 5 to 9 September 2005, Ambassador Satnam Singh, the ICBL Diplomatic Advisor, visited China and Mongolia to take up with the two governments the question of an early accession to the Mine Ban Treaty. In capitals of both countries, Ambassador Singh met with high level officials connected with the mine ban policy.

In Beijing, Ambassador Singh had an hour and a half long meeting on 6th September, with Ambassador Zhang Yan, Director General, Arms Control and Disarmament Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All aspects of China’s current and future approach to the Treaty were comprehensively discussed. A representative of Ministry of Defence was also present in the meeting. A separate meeting was held with SecretaryGeneral, China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, which was also attended by Deputy Secretary General of the Association.

ICBL urged the Chinese authorities to give a lead in this important area of humanitarian concern by acceding to Treaty at an early date, so that it could become a good example to follow for those still not onboard. Attention was drawn to the fact that most countries in Asia yet to join the Convention are in China’s neighborhood and that the Chinese accession would have a salutary impact on them. Meanwhile, China should consider taking further positive steps in compliance of various MBT provisions, including voting in favour of the annual UNGA Resolution, Article 7 transparency report, a moratorium on production, permanent legal ban on export, demining of all minefields etc.

Expressing deep appreciation for ICBL’s contribution in making the world safer and sharing its concerns, Ambassador Zhang stated that China was looking into the possibility of accession at some point in future, but no time-frame could be indicated as yet. Meanwhile, China was continuing to contribute to humanitarian aspects of the Convention, including modification of APMs in full compliance of Amended Protocol II of CCW, moratorium on export, destroying outdated stockpiles and extending assistance to other countries, as it is the case with demining in Thailand this year. China was also thinking of organising another workshop next year on the lines of the one held in Kunming last year, but with enlarged scope and participation.

While in Beijing, Ambassador Singh also had prior consultations with Handicap International’s Country Director, Koen Sevenants on China’s policy on victim assistance and related issues. In a briefing session organized by the Canadian Embassy, diplomats from interested countries including Australia, Austria, Cambodia, Canada and Norway, were also apprised about the meetings with the Chinese officials. Valuable inputs were received from the Australian Network and Canada, while preparing for the visit, which also furthered the objectives of the Regional Workshop held in Kunming, China, in April last year.

In Ulaanbaatar, meetings were held, on 8-9th September, with Chief of General Staff of Mongolian Armed Forces, Lt. General T. Togoo; Mongolian President’s Foreign Policy Adviser, D. Tsogtbaatar, Ministry of Foreign Affairs State Secretary, R. Altangerel and Member of the Parliamentary Committee for Security and Foreign Affairs, L. Gansukh.

Referring to the Mongolian Government’s Action Plan that envisages accession by 2008, ICBL appealed for a shorter time-frame by adopting a multi-pronged, in lieu of step-by-step, approach. Mongolia was requested to prioritise the legislation to amend its Secrecy Law with a view to making available full details of its stockpile at an early date and to accede to the Convention, as soon as the Law was amended. All the interlocutors assured that the ICBL views would receive serious consideration and that the amendment to the Secrecy Law would be accorded priority.

Since the advent of democracy in Mongolia in mid-90s, civil society is making its presence increasingly felt. Two well-established activists have agreed to assist ICBL in its campaign activities in Mongolia - Ms. Burmaa Radnaa, Executive Director, Women For Social Progress and Ms. Narantuya Purevjav, Director, “One World-Adolescent” Organisation.

The Mongolian media also evinced interest in the ICBL representative’s visit. A news-item appeared in the ‘UB Post regarding the visit. Two other papers, ‘Mongol Messenger’ and ‘ Daily News’ interviewed Ambassador Singh and also agreed to publish his Op-Ed piece.

Raising the Voices East Africa 2005

Raising the Voices East Africa 2005 was conducted successfully from August 28th to September 3rd 2005 at Ranch on the LakeCountry Club in Kampala, Uganda. Margaret Arach Orech, ICBL Co-chair of the Working Group on Victim Assistance and Olivier Le Blanc, Capacity Builder Officer from Mines Action Canada (Young Professional International Mine Action Program) organized and facilitated this 5 days advocacy training workshop with 10 participants coming from Eritrea, Rwanda, Sudan and Uganda. Raising the Voices East Africa was the first workshop of its kind in the region.

Raising the Voices program empowers survivors. First, it gives them knowledge by introducing them to three key documents: the Mine Ban Treaty (MBT), the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and the UN Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. Second, it equips them with basic advocacy skills, so that they can lobby decision makers to bring about a positive change. Third, it provides an opportunity for survivors to share experiences and build networks. As a result of this entire experience survivors build self-confidence and self-esteem.

This successful program has trained over 50 landmine survivors from South America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Caucasus. Graduates are now advocates in their respective countries, and participate in MBT-related meetings at the national, regional, and international level.

Both the opening and the closing ceremonies of the workshop received media attention. The opening ceremony was the most publicized event and it was performed by the Deputy Head of Mission, Austrian Embassy in Kampala, Walter Ehmeir. In attendance were the Coordinator, Uganda Campaign to Ban Landmines, Eddie Mworozi, representatives of local NGOs involved in Ugandan Mine Action as well as Mirembe Jackson, Senior Rehabilitation Officer, Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development. Susan Walker, now Humanitarian Affairs and Disarmament and Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention Consultant, who was visiting Uganda at the time, also assisted to the Opening Ceremony.

Raising the Voices East Africa 2005 was made possible with the financial support of the Austrian Government’s Development Cooperation program. A comprehensive report of the workshop will be produced for distribution at the 6MSP in Zagreb in November 2005.

A Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The continued negotiations of the draft Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities took place during the 6th session of the UN Ad Hoc Committee Meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from August 1-12, 2005.

The meeting was chaired by Ambassador MacKay of New Zealand and was attended by a large number of government delegations, as well as over 400 disabled people's organizations and other non-governmental organizations. The civil society coalition, the International Disability Caucus contributed in a significant way, with many of our proposals being incorporated into the final report.

Similar to the Mine Ban Treaty process, the negotiations continue to be marked by effective interaction between government delegates and representatives of civil society. This process is considered to be innovative in that a significant number of persons with disabilities serve as advisors to or are on official delegations of their respective governments. As Chairman Ambassador McKay said in his concluding comments, “[t]his is a truly unique group of delegates.”

The Ad Hoc Committee Meeting primarily focused on economic, cultural and social rights, including work, sport, education, health and rehabilitation, social security and adequate standard of living. The most-debated issues included how the Convention would be monitored and whether disability should be a consideration in bilateral and multilateral donor relationships, more technically referred to as “international cooperation.”

The negotiations during this 6th Session resulted in more clarity regarding overall shape of the text of the Convention, and future meetings will focus on fine tuning language and getting agreement on issues of controversy. The 7th Ad Hoc Committee Meeting will take place in January 2006.

For more information see www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable or www.landminesurvivors.org

European Parliament Adopts Resolution Calling for a Mine-Free World

On 16 June 2005, the Chair of the European Parliament’s Development Committee Luisa Morgantini, Nobel Laureate and ICBL Ambassador Jody Williams, Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch, who presided over the first review conference of the Mine Ban Treaty, and representatives from various NGOs, international agencies and institutions as well as States, gathered at the European Parliament in Brussels for a day long hearing on landmines. Throughout the day, the participants took turns to address the outstanding challenges on the road towards a mine free world: the need for accelerated clearance, for increased resources to be channeled to victim assistance and rehabilitation, as well as for renewed efforts to promote the universalization of the Mine Ban Treaty and the involvement of Non State Actors in the mine ban.

The hearing -- during which the European institutions were repeatedly urged to confirm their commitment in the struggle against landmines – was followed by a EP resolution, approved on 7 July, calling for a mine-free world.

The main points of the resolution* include:

  • A call on all states not parties (and specifically the three permanent members of the UN Security Council still outside the Mine Ban Treaty: China, Russia and the USA, and the two remaining EU members: Finland and Poland) to join the Treaty, and on States not party to take steps to clear mines and provide assistance to victims;
  • A call for full implementation of the Nairobi Action Plan;
  • A call for mainstreaming of Mine Ban Treaty requirements into development programs;
  • A call for a broader interpretation of the definition of “anti-personnel mine” to include all landmines that can be detonated by the unintentional contact of a person;
  • A call on Non State Actors to stop using landmines, formalize their commitment to this effect by signing the Geneva Call deed of commitment, and engage in mine action activities in territories under their control;
  • A call for stronger assistance to mine affected countries;
  • A call for EU controls over direct and indirect investments in companies involved in mine production.

* For the full text of the European Parliament resolution on a mine-free world click here.

Young Professionals around the World

The ICBL is pleased to welcome the eleven Young Professionals from Canada that have now arrived at their six-month placements with some of the ICBL organizations. The Young Professionals International Mine Action Program is a unique international internship opportunity for Canadian youth to support the work of mine action organizations around the world. Young Professionals (YPs) are placed in organizations all over the world, and are involved in mobilizing local young people in the movement for a mine-free world, developing advocacy and education materials, researching on landmine-related topics, and assisting with preparations for major international meetings.

Anne-Marie DeAraujo will be working with the Polish Red Cross in Warsaw, Poland, but has not yet arrived.

Asma Fakhri is working at the ICBL Mine Risk Education Sub Working Group / Landmines Resource Centre under the guidance of her host supervisor Habbouba Aoun. Over her six month placement, Asma will be contributing to the LMRC’s mine risk education and survivor assistance programs.

Janis Grychowski is working with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines- Georgian Committee in Tbilisi; Georgia She will be working with local youth to create a national youth movement on mine action and will be providing support to the ICBL-Georgian Committee in researching for Landmine Monitor and in persuading the Georgian government to sign and ratify the Ottawa Convention. Janis will also be assisting the ICBL-GC in preparing for the upcoming governmental confidence-building conference that will be taking place in Tbilisi in October.

Karolina Guay is hosted by Norwegian’s People Aid in Maputo, Mozambique. Her work will mostly focus on Mine Action and article 5 (implementation/compliance). For her six month placement Karolina will be assisting in the organization of workshops on Article 5 before and during the 6MSP, as well as contributing to some of Landmine Monitor’s work on Mine Action.

Hugo Hotte is based in Moscow, Russia and will be working with the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, but has not yet arrived.

Kendrah Jespersen is based in Baku, Azerbaijan, and will be spending her six months working with the Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Landmines (AzCBL). Among other responsibilities, she hopes to encourage and strengthen the Azeri Campaign’s youth department, play a part in obtaining funding and planning some of the AzCBL’s new victim assistance initiatives and also create a website for the organization. Kendrah also hopes to make some trips outside of Baku to visit mine affected areas and see first-hand the obstacles faced in mine affected communities.

Olivier Le Blanc is based in Kampala, Uganda where he will be working with Margaret Arach Orech in the ICBL's Working Group on Victim Assistance (WGVA). Among other projects, Olivier will be visiting mine affected communities to assess their needs and to collect and update information on how landmines and UXOs impact community life, continue efforts to create new and consolidate existing partnerships with local NGOs working in the landmine survivor assistance field, contribute to the WGVA’s efforts to build a resource centre in Kampala for Victim assistance, and attend the 6MSP in Zagreb.

Hodan Mohamed is working with the Kenya Coalition against Landmines in Nairobi, Kenya.

Jesse Ovadia is based in Delhi, India but has not yet arrived.

Andreia Rolo is working with the ICBL team at the head office, in Belgium. During her six month placement Andreia will be providing support to the ICBL staff on a number of significant initiatives. Among other projects she will be facilitating the ICBL’s participation to the 6MSP in Zagreb.

Meredith Wotten will be working for the ICBL in Zagreb, Croatia. She will be based at the office of the Croatian Mine Victim’s Association. Meredith will be focusing primarily on the preparations for the 6th MSP in November.

Why we do what we do: Remembering the victims…

  • On 17 August 2005, a man and his two children were wounded in an explosion of a landmine in Palestine
  • On 15 August 2005, a mine clearance officer with the British-based charity Halo Trust lost part of his foot while clearing mines in Georgia's breakaway republic of Abkhazia.
  • On 13 August 2005, a demining worker in the Mine Action Centre was killed in an accidental explosion of a landmine in Yemen.
  • On 1 August 2005, a 14-year-old boy was killed and his 12-year-old brother gravely wounded after an anti-tank mine exploded, while they were out grazing cattle. South-western Azerbaijan. The boys were grazing cattle when the mine exploded.
  • On 24 July 2005, one shepherd died and another was injured after they stepped on a landmine in Turkey.
  • On 21 July 2005, a 27-year-old Dutch tourist was seriously injured and had to have part of his leg amputated after he stepped on a land mine on a southern Croatian island.
  • On 20 July 2005, a farmer in Pakistan was killed after stepping on a landmine while he was busy in agriculture field.
  • On 11 July 2005, two children were killed and three wounded in a mine explosion in Kosovo. The explosion took place while the children were taking the cattle to graze
  • On 3 July 2005, two people died after they came across a World War II landmine in Russia.
  • On 14 June 2005, a Greek soldier was killed after a land mine exploded in his hands during a demining operation in north-eastern Greece.

ICBL Mourns Loss of Victor Tsoy

On Thursday 28 July 2005, Victor Tsoy, the Landmine Monitor secondary researcher for Uzbekistan, fell to his death while on a hiking trip in the mountains.

Victor was the founder and director of an environmental tourism organization called "Rabat Malik." He had a deep love of nature and led trekking tours in Uzbekistan's rugged and mountainous terrain. Victor is survived by his wife and three young children.

The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) extends its sincerest condolences to Victor's family, friends and colleagues. Please send any messages for Victor's family to lm@icbl.org.

REMINDER - 6th Meeting of States Parties is Fast Approaching!

As most of you know the 6th Meeting of States Parties is just around the corner, and this year it is crucial that the ICBL demonstrates that we are still here, stronger than ever and ready to ensure that the Convention brings upon a real change in people’s lives. It is of the utmost importance that the campaign shows its unity and commitment by showing its presence in Zagreb.

WHAT: 6th Meeting of States Parties

WHERE:Zagreb, Croatia

WHEN: 28 November – 2 December

ACTION: Create domestic media awareness, lobby your government for action, organize a side event for Zagreb. EXPECT A CALL FOR ACTION ON 28 SEPTEMBER!

Registration is NOW available, for more information please click here.

Treaty Progress

  • Bhutan became the 146th State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty with its accession on 18 August, 2005.
  • Latvia acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty on 01 July 2005. After Lithuania who ratified on 12 May 2003 and Estonia who acceded on 12 May 2004, Latvia is the last of the 3 Baltic States to join the Convention. Finland and Poland are the only 2 Members of the European Union to remain outside the Convention.
  • The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) informed the International Campaign to Ban Landmines that Micronesia, at the Executive Branch, has completed its review of the Mine Ban Convention and is now moving toward submitting it for ratification to the Congress during their next session in September 2005.
  • After 7 years of clearance operations, Guatemala will declare itself free of mines and UXO at the 6th States Parties Conference in November in Zagreb. Guatemala is the third country to declare itself free of mines in Central America. Nicaragua is now the only country missing to declare Central America free of landmines.
  • On August 17, 2005 Serbia-Montenegro, a State Party to the Ottawa convention, since September 2003, began the destruction of its 1.3 million anti-personnel mines.
  • August 12, 2005 marked the beginning of a mine clearing operation in the buffer zone in Cyprus. The demining operations are expected to contribute to efforts to promote peace and restore confidence on the island.

National Campaign Activities

SUDAN

  • In collaboration with Geneva Call and the Kenya Coalition Against Landmines, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), a signatory of the “Deed of Commitment for Adherence to a Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Mines and for Cooperation in Mine Action” (Deed of Commitment), started a series of regional mine ban education workshops in south Sudan. The first workshop took place in Rumbek, LakeRegion, from 27 to 29 July 2005.

INDIA

  • From July 23-24 the Indian Institute for Peace, Disarmament & Environmental Protection in partnership with International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), held a conference on the "Prevention of Nuclear War and Its Effects - Role of Medical Fraternity," in Nagpur, (India). The aim of the conference was to spread awareness of IPPNW activities in the medical fraternity and discuss various issues of IPPNW and what role medical doctors and students can play in all these activities. Professors from various colleges and schools from India, as well as prominent NGOs, government officials, and police and military personnel all attended the conference.

INDONESIA

  • The ICBL Diplomatic Advisor Ambassador Satnam Singh, along with members from the national campaign, Surya Aslim, Ingvild Solvang (Jesuit Refugee Service) and Lina Sofiani (UNICEF), met with the Indonesian government including Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono, to clarify Indonesia’s move towards becoming a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty.
  • In addition, Indonesian photographer Ray Bachtiar held an exhibition at the NationalMuseum in Jakarta, to show Indonesians the humanitarian impacts of landmines that he witnessed fits hand on a visit to Cambodia last May.

JAPAN

  • The Japanese Campaign to Ban Landmines launched their ban mines tent at the Nagoya World Expo, EXPO 2005 AICHI. Thousands of people passed through the NGO village where JCBL and other environment NGOs had displays.

AUSTRALIA and BELARUS

  • Australian and Belarus Youth Campaigner participated in the 3rd World Youth Congress in Scotland from July 31 to August 8. Six hundred young people were selected to attend the Congress. Australian and Belarus Youth Campaigners were among six hundred other young leaders. During the Congress they shared their experiences and success stories in promoting mine ban in their countries and worldwide.

CAMBODIA

  • Throughout June and July the Cambodia Mine/UXO Victim Information System (CMVIS) continued to maintain and update their information system. CMVIS data gatherers and main volunteers continued with research and interviews and found that compared to last year there has been a 36% increase in casualties.

NEPAL

  • There are Mine Risk Education programs going on in 25 districts. The programs have three different levels and include; training for trainers, district level workshops, school to school programs, radio and TV programs, and publication distribution programs.
  • The Nepal Campaign is also preparing for computer training and literacy classes for landmine and conflict victims.
  • In addition, the campaign has an on-going scholarship program for 55 children.

COLOMBIA

  • The Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines has been doing a considerable amount of advocacy work on the fulfillment of the Article 5 and has continued to ask for the verification of clearance of all mined areas.
  • The regional coordinators of the CCCM have also been attracting local media to create awareness about the landmine problem in each region.
  • In the area of victim’s assistance, the Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines has focused its activities in filling the gap between Colombian law regarding landmine civilian victim assistance, giving survivors and one relative or friend the opportunity to access rehabilitation services (physiotherapy, prosthetic appliances, technical aids and psychological support).
  • The Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines has also continued its work with Geneva Call to engage the Colombian NSA. The CCCM and Geneva Call's work in Colombia has included 11 regional forums of NSA, antipersonnel mines and humanitarian agreements and concluded with one big forum in Cali where an agreement was signed between the Valle del Cauca’s government, Geneva Call and the Colombian Campaign.
  • The CCCM contributed to an academic seminar at the University of Magdalena where they analyzed the situation of the AP mines in Colombia, and have also held several meetings and public debates about this issue.

THAILAND

  • At the beginning of June, the Thailand Campaign to Ban Landmines (TBCL) helped a new 17 year old survivor access medical services. Since the new survivor held an ethnic tribe identification card, and not a Thai ID card, he could not access the Thai government services. As a result the TBCL contacted a Prosthetic Workshop and was then able to provide the new survivor with a prosthetic leg.
  • Susan B. Walker, a consultant on Humanitarian Affairs and Disarmament to GICHD-ISU, visited Thailand from 13-21 July 2005. During her visit, Susan Walker attended several meetings, and visited several survivors,
  • TCBL has also followed up with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security for supporting of new landmine survivors in Sakaeo and Mae Hong Son provinces.
  • The GCCF has set up two Prosthesis Workshops along the Thai/Cambodia border for landmine survivors. The goal of the seminar is to train survivors on how to make Prosthetic limbs so that when they return home they will be able to produce prosthetic limb for other survivors. The program has been running since early 2005 and has now delivered more than 100 prosthetic limbs.