Author(s):
Site Admin <webmaster2SPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERicbl.org> .
Friday 08 December 2006
“After nine years, Indonesia has finally ratified the 1997 UN Treaty to Ban Landmines becoming the one hundred and fifty-third country to do so. It is hugely significant that the fourth most populous nation in the world has thrown its weight behind the movement to promote a mine free world”, Els Coolen from the Indonesian Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) says.
On 7 December 2006, the Indonesian parliament approved the bill ratifying the treaty. It will officially become law after the president of Indonesia formally signs it. An important liberal democratic nation like Indonesia has an international responsibility to strengthen the campaign to ban landmines by joining the Convention.
“Prior to ratification, Indonesia has been involved in the demining activities of United Nations peacekeeping in Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Not having ratified the treaty, the country lacked the moral authority to criticise others for using landmines. Now, that all has changed”, added Ms Coolen.
Southeast Asia is one of the most mine affected regions of the world. The Jesuit Refugee Service, key members of the ICBL welcomes this move, and hopes Indonesia, a significant member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will use its influence to encourage neighbours and fellow ASEAN members, Laos, Vietnam, Burma and Singapore to ratify the treaty.
The discussions about ratification of the convention between the Indonesian Campaign to Ban Landmines and the government of Indonesia that began in 2002 have finally yielded results. Indonesia is not considered to be a country badly affected by landmines. Nevertheless, there have been reports of people becoming victims of landmines in Ambon and Aceh, two regions affected by conflict in the recent past.
Commenting on the long awaited ratification, UNICEF Representative in Indonesia, Dr. Gianfranco Rotigliano, says “UNICEF is pleased that Indonesia is making a significant progress towards a world that is a better place for children.”
Globally landmines have posed a pressing humanitarian issue with estimates on annual casualties ranging from 15,000 to 20,000. Last year, landmine casualties were recorded in thirteen Asian countries - Burma, Cambodia, China, India, South Korea, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh and Mongolia; the vast majority of victims were civilians. In addition, between 1997 and 2005 in Cambodia, more than 20,000 people were killed and 45,000 injured landmine-related incidents. More than 75% of fatalities were civilians, while children accounted for approximately 50 percent.
For more information, please contact:
Lina Sofiani, UNICEF Emergency Officer, tel. +62 21 570 5816 ext. 458, email: LsofianiSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERunicef.org
Els Coolen, Coordinator of the Indonesian Campaign to Ban Landmines/ Jesuit Refugee Service Advocacy Manager; tel. +62 813 280 47871, email: elsSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERjrs.or.id
Notes to the editor:
The treaty is officially referred to as the 1997 United Nations Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, also known as Ottawa Convention.