Diplomatic Conference on an International Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Landmines

During the "Diplomatic Conference on an International Total Ban on
Anti-Personnel Landmines" in Oslo, Norway from 1-18 September
1997, 89 governments met to discuss and negotiate the final text of
the Mine Ban Treaty. The International Campaign to Ban Landmines
(ICBL), in what is believed to be the first occasion when NGOs were
given official status in international negotiations of a disarmament
treaty, was invited as an official observer with the same status as
observer governments, with the exception of voting rights. The
conference negotiations resulted in a strong treaty prohibiting
antipersonnel mines with "no exceptions, reservations or loopholes."
ICBL member Norwegian People's Aid facilitated the ICBL's
participation in this historic meeting.

Language: English

International Campaign to Ban Landmines (Oslo:
ICBL, 1997)
110 Maryland Ave NE, Box 6, Suite 509,
Washington, DC 20002 USA
tel: 1-202-547-2667
fax: 1-202-547-2687
email: icbl@icbl.org
web: http://www.icbl.org