Key developments since May 2005: Brunei ratified the Mine Ban Treaty on 24 April 2006. The ICBL undertook an advocacy mission to Brunei in March 2006, and the treaty’s Implementation Support Unit visited in early April. Officials confirmed that Brunei stockpiles only command-detonated Claymore mines, numbering between 500 and 1,000.
Brunei Darussalam signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 4 December 1997, and formally deposited its instrument of ratification on 24 April 2006. The treaty will enter into force for Brunei on 1 October 2006, when it will become the 151st State Party. Brunei’s initial Article 7 transparency report will be due on 30 March 2007. If Brunei declares a stockpile of antipersonnel mines, the deadline for destruction will be 1 October 2010.
Since 1996, Brunei has voted in favor of every annual pro-mine ban UN General Assembly resolution, including UNGA Resolution 60/80 on 8 December 2005, calling for universalization of the Mine Ban Treaty.
Brunei attended the intersessional Standing Committee meetings for the first time in May 2006. It made a statement announcing its ratification of the Mine Ban Treaty. Brunei did not participate as an observer in the Sixth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in Zagreb, Croatia, in November-December 2005.
The ICBL’s Diplomatic Advisor, retired Ambassador Satnam Jit Singh, undertook a special advocacy mission to Brunei from 13-16 March 2006.[1] During meetings with permanent secretaries in the ministries of foreign affairs and defense and other officials, he received assurances that the ratification process was not expected to take much longer. He was informed that political clearance at the highest levels had been obtained. At the time of his visit, the Office of the Attorney General had drafted the ratification instrument, which was awaiting formal approval from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then signature by the Foreign Minister. He was informed that the ratification instrument does not require consideration or approval by the Legislative Council (parliament).[2]
The Manager of the Mine Ban Treaty’s Implementation Support Unit visited Brunei on 10 April 2006, and led a workshop on the obligations of the treaty, attended by officials in the ministries of defense and foreign affairs, as well as the Commander of the Land Forces and other members of the Armed Forces. The workshop was held at the instigation of the High Commission of Canada to Brunei in the context of Canada’s role as Coordinator of the Universalization Contact Group.[3]
Brunei has stated that it has never used, produced or exported antipersonnel mines.[4] Officials told Amb. Singh that the stockpile consists only of M-18 Claymore directional fragmentation mines, numbering between 500 and 1,000. They further said the mines are used only in command-detonated mode, and not with tripwires.[5]
Brunei is not mine-affected, and there have been no known landmine casualties from Brunei.
[1] For a report on the visit, see “ICBL Urges Brunei for Early Ratification,” www.icbl.org, 17 March 2006.
[2] Emails from Amb. Satnam Jit Singh, ICBL Diplomatic Advisor, 16 and 18 March 2006.
[3] Email from Kerry Brinkert, Manager, Implementation Support Unit, 21 April 2006.
[4] Ministry of Defense officials first told this to Landmine Monitor in February 1999, and have re-confirmed it on several occasions, including during Amb. Singh’s visit in March 2006.
[5] Email from Amb. Satnam Jit Singh, 16 March 2006. During a Canadian government mission in 2003, Brunei military officials expressed concern that the treaty would require them to destroy their Claymore mines. Brunei imported 600 M-18A1 Claymores from the United States in 1984. Claymore mines used in command-detonated mode are permitted under the Mine Ban Treaty, but use with tripwires is prohibited. See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 887.