1) Fulfilling Article 5 Obligations 2) Land Release3) Linking Mine Action and Development 4) Extension Requests
1) Fulfilling Article 5 Obligations
Article 5 states that States Parties must make every effort to identify mined areas under their jurisdiction or control and to destroy all antipersonnel mines within them as soon as possible, but no later than 10 years after joining the treaty.
ICBL Policy papers/Statements:
LM Fact Sheets:
2) Land Release
The aim of every mine action programme is to release land to the civilian population as quickly and safely as possible. States are increasingly making use of area reduction and area cancellation methodologies to release land back to civilian populations in a more efficient and expeditious manner.
Policy papers/Statements:
Other resources:
3) Linking Mine Action and Development
Some donor states and organizations are mainstreaming mine action into their development budgets in order to ensure longer-term availability of funds, but there is a risk that this could end up decreasing funds available for mine action if the donor and/or recipient states do not prioritize mine action within development budgets.
Policy papers/Statements:
Additional documents/links:
4) Extension Requests
While all mine-affected states must do their best to respect their 10-year deadline, there are some countries that will need to request an extension under Article 5.3 of the treaty. States Party will have the opportunity to assess and decide on each request. At the 7 MSP, SPs agreed on a process to make sure that extensions are carefully prepared and considered. At the 8 MSP, a template for extension requests was approved. The ICBL issued recommended criteria (see link below) for judging extension requests in April 2007. Currently, States Parties with 2009 deadlines that will not be able to meet their deadlines are submitting extension requests, which are being reviewed by the Standing Committee co-chairs and co-rapporteurs. Expert advice is being given by the ICBL and others.
Policy papers/Statements:
Other resources:
Affected States with 2009-10 Deadlines
ICBL mine action operator members:
- DanChurchAid (DCA)
- Danish Demining Group (DDG)
- Handicap International (HI)
- Landmine Action UK
- Mines Advisory Group (MAG)
- Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA)
- Swiss Foundation for Mine Action
ICBL Mine Action Working Group