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Celebrate 1 March 2006, Act Now!

Author(s): Sylvie Brigot <brigotSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERicbl.org> . Saturday 18 February 2006

Dear all,

This is an urgent message to invite you all to organise activities around 1 March to celebrate the entry into force of the Mine Ban Treaty and publicise your position about its implementation at national level, or call your government to join it.

The ICBL goals are to reach a worldwide ban on antipersonnel landmines, to see clearance of all mined areas in all affected countries and immediate and sustainable support for the needs and rights of landmine survivors. We believe the Mine Ban Treaty is the framework to reach these goals and ICBL members are working to ensure the Treaty is fully implemented and universalised. That is why the ICBL has always celebrated 1 March - the day the Mine Ban Treaty came into force - as the most important day in the history of the eradication of antipersonnel landmines, and why we encourage you to do as much as possible to celebrate it every year.

It is important to demonstrate that ICBL is active and willing to “make noise” nationnally about successes and challenges in our struggle against landmines. During the 6MSP, you all said you wanted to do more to remind States Parties of their obligations, and get Non States Parties to join, so let’s take this first opportunity to just do it !!

  • We would like to invite you all to share activities you are already planning.
  • If you haven’t planned anything yet, see below what you could do !

Join the list of events planned and let’s make it big !

Thanks all and let’s just Act Now !

ICBL TEAM

1) Meet with your government!

During the 6MSP, you raised the need of raising more awareness among your government and all stakeholders about the implementation of the Convention.

Meet them around 1 March to discuss their plans for the year and share your views with them!

2) Write to the media

Send a press release to your media and publicise your views on the status of implementation of the Treaty worldwide and nationnally!

An ICBL press release will be ready by Monday 27 February latest, and circulated to all of you, should you wish to use it and tailor it to your national context.

3) Meet with your Campaign members and plan further activities for the year

If you haven’t yet come together with your Campaign members to plan activities for the year, 1 March is a good opportunity to do so, and keep the momentum within the NGO community to strengthen your capacities of action. Discuss your contribution to the plan of action we drew from our discussions in Zagreb, currently being circulated for your feedback. You will find it again at http://doc.icbl.org/retreatnotes.doc

 

1 March 2006 ACT NOW!

 

Share your plans, and let's make the list big!

 

AUSTRIA

The Austrian Aid for Mine Victims will inform the media, do a press release, and contact its government to discuss mine action funding. They also plan to fundraise for Cambodia's first women demining team of Mines Advisory Group (MAG).

 

BANGLADESH

On 23 February, a meeting has been organised for giving prizes after a national picture contest under the theme "For Peace, Let the World Be Mine Free". In front of the media, the work of Nonviolence International Bangladesh and of the ICBL has been presented and discussed.

 

CANADA

Canadian Landmine Awareness Week: Public events organised in over 10 canadian cities, under the theme "Act Now For a Mine Free World. No reservations. No exceptions. No loopholes. No excuses." Activities include the Roundtable Forum for International Leaders in Mine Action, where diplomatic representation from countries whom have demonstrated financial, political and regional leadership in the mine ban movement will be in attendance. More ICBL info: Mines Action Canada

 

CAMBODIA

The Cambodia Campaign to Ban Landmines participated in a national meeting on Mine Awareness Day (24 February). The Campaign also sent letters to ambassadors, government ministries, NGOs, and will lobby for continued funding at a donors meeting in Phnom Penh on 2 and 3 March. A workshop on landmine survivors peer counselling is also planned.

 

DENMARK

Denmark against Landmines marks the day: a famous Danish artist has performed a litography especially for the event, and Her Highness Princess Alexandra will unveil this in the Alexander Hall, that Her Majesty the Queen has given permission to use. More ICBL info: www.landminer.dk

 

FRANCE

During its campaign “Stop Landmines!” launched after the Nairobi Summit, Handicap International collected thousands of petitions calling for the universalisation of the Mine Ban Treaty and addressed to the members of the UN Security Council which still are non-States Parties (China, Russia and the United States). Handicap International will meet representatives of China and the United States on 1st March at their embassies in Paris, in order to officially hand them in these petitions ; an answer from the Russian embassy is still expected. On the occasion of 1st March Handicap International also sent a letter to each non-signatory to the Treaty through their embassies in Paris.

 

GREECE

A piece is being written for a UNHCR media campaign about refugees, including a focus on landmine survivors.

 

INDIA

After a workshop on Non-State Actors and a national seminar in February, the Indian CBL will hold a press conference/briefing to press reporters on the Mine Ban Treaty in Nagpur, on 1 March. A regional seminar in North India, on SALW and landmines, is also planned.

 

LAO PDR

In response to feedback received from participants of the Youth Symposium held in Nairobi, Kenya in 2004, the Australian Network - International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL-AN) is organising a Youth Leadership Workshop (Vientiane, 3-5 March). The aim of this workshop is to further build the capacity of youth in mine action within the South East Asia-Pacific region. The workshop is for up to 28 young people between 18-26 years of age from countries in the region, who are willing to commit to working in their country for a mine-free world after attending the workshop. More ICBL info: Australian Campaign to Ban Landmines, australiaSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERicbl.org

 

LEBANON

Zero Mine Awareness Campaign (details to come)

 

NEPAL

Activities planned (details to come)

 

PAKISTAN

On 1 March, Sustainable Peace and Development Organisation (SPADO) will be briefing media and press releases will be sent. A meeting is planned with the Director General Disarmament in the ministry of Foreign Affairs. The youth branch of SPADO, "Youth for Peace", has also organized several activities that include quiz/essay competition among students on the landmine issue. A a seminar is planned for mid-March, during the visit of General Baril, the former Chief of Defence Staff of Canada. Diplomats, government officials, NGOs, politicians, religious scholars, media representatives and landmine survivors have been invited.