News

Groundbreaking treaty banning cluster bombs agreed. Cluster bomb survivors and campaigners rejoice

Dublin, May 28th, 2008: Cluster bomb suvivors and campaigners are tonight rejoicing over the groundbreaking and comprehensive new treaty to ban cluster bombs that has just been provisionally agreed in Dublin. After ten days of intense negotiation under Irish leadership, 110 countries negotiating at the conference and hundreds of campaigners and survivors within the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) welcomed the treaty.

Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions, 19-30 May 2008

Make History, Ban Cluster Munitions!

Negotiations for a new treaty banning cluster munitions are underway in Dublin. How can YOU help? Visit the Cluster Munition Coalition website to take part in the action and get the latest updates.

LAUNCH OF REPORT ON GENDER AND MINE ACTION

The Swiss Campaign to Ban Landmines is delighted to announce the launch of the report, “Gender and Landmines – From Concept to Practice”, which studies the significance of gender in the impact and the effectiveness of mine action. It gives the reader an overview, together with concrete examples, on how gender can be mainstreamed in mine action.

CMC PRESS RELEASE - Campaigners Call for Comprehensive Ban on Cluster Bombs

Some states seek to keep stocks and to weaken treaty, but survivors are hopeful

(Dublin, Ireland, May 19th, 2008) Civil society representatives and cluster bomb survivors from around the world today called on governments to support a comprehensive ban on cluster bombs, without exceptions. The call came as more than 100 governments began two weeks of final negotiations in Dublin, Ireland, on a new international treaty to ban cluster bombs. Certain states seek to weaken the treaty. Civil society representatives and survivors expect this to be the most significant humanitarian and disarmament treaty since the ban on antipersonnel landmines over a decade ago.

CMC Media Advisory: Over 100 Governments Meet in Dublin to Seal Global Ban on Cluster Bombs

The final negotiations of the Oslo Process to ban the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster bombs worldwide and ensure support for affected communities including clearance of contaminated land will take place in Dublin, Ireland, from 19 to 30 May 2008.

The Ban Bus - Touring Ireland to Raise Awareness about Cluster Munitions

In the lead-up to the Dublin Diplomatic Conference (19-30 May) where governments will negotiate a treaty to ban cluster munitions, campaigners John Rodsted and Mette Eliseusen are touring Ireland on a bus to raise awareness of the cluster munitions issue.

ICBL Urges All Countries to Join the UN Disability Rights Convention - Convention enters into force on 3 May 2008

Landmine survivors and all people with disabilities can now count on a powerful tool to ensure their rights are respected and their needs met, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) said today, hailing the entry into force of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Disability Rights Convention). The Convention, considered the first major human rights treaty of this century, was signed in December 2006. It will enter into force tomorrow, 30 days after the deposit of the 20th ratification (by Ecuador, on 3 April 2008).

International Campaign to Ban Landmines, 2007 Annual Report

As the 10th anniversary of the year the Mine Ban Treaty (MBT) was adopted and signed, 2007

provided several key opportunities for renewing energy around and interest in the treaty and

the issue. Throughout the year, the ICBL created and distributed 10th anniversary-related

materials, encouraged campaigners to organize special media or advocacy events, and

participated in 10th anniversary celebrations in Austria, Belgium, Norway, and Canada. The

ICBL’s slogan for marking this milestone was “The Mine Ban Treaty: A Success in

Progress”, a message that resonated with all the stakeholders in this journey to a mine-free

world.

ICBL REPORT OF ACTIVITIES 2007

As the 10th anniversary of the year the Mine Ban Treaty (MBT) was adopted and signed, 2007

provided several key opportunities for renewing energy around and interest in the treaty and

the issue. Throughout the year, the ICBL created and distributed 10th anniversary-related

materials, encouraged campaigners to organize special media or advocacy events, and

participated in 10th anniversary celebrations in Austria, Belgium, Norway, and Canada. The

ICBL’s slogan for marking this milestone was “The Mine Ban Treaty: A Success in

Progress”, a message that resonated with all the stakeholders in this journey to a mine-free

world.

CONFERENCE ON INDISPENSABILITY OF ANTIPERSONNEL MINES FOR INDIA’S DEFENCE – MYTH OR REALITY?

1 March 2008 marked the 9th Anniversary of Entry into Force of the "Mine Ban Treaty" which prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of antipersonnel landmines and has been joined up to now by 156 countries. India is not a State Party to the treaty but has recently shown growing interest in the issue of landmines. Unfortunately, India remains one of the largest producers of mines along with countries like Russia, China and Pakistan – and it stockpiles about 40 thousands tons of these weapons.

CMC Press Release - Latin America and Caribbean Push for Global Cluster Bomb Ban As Brazil Stays Away

(Mexico City, 17 April 2008) More than 20 Latin American and Caribbean governments have reaffirmed their commitment to a global ban on cluster bombs at a regional meeting in Mexico City one month ahead of the international negotiations in Dublin that will finalise an international treaty, with only Brazil and Cuba shunning the gathering.

Intersessional Standing Committees Meetings, 2-6 June 2008, Geneva - Switzerland

The Intersessional Standing Committees Meetings will take place from 2 to 6 June 2008 at the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), Avenue de la Paix 7bis (WMO Building), Geneva, Switzerland.

Backgrounder: Stockpile Destruction

The obligation to destroy all stockpiles serves both the treaty’s disarmament and humanitarian goals. First and foremost, destroying mines is a cornerstone of a treaty aiming to eliminate a class of weapons. Their destruction also ensures that the mines can never be laid in the ground and can therefore never claim a victim.

Backgrounder: Impending treaty deadlines for mine clearance

As far as demining is concerned, the treaty has been a qualified success. The destruction of many millions of emplaced mines has saved countless lives and many thousands of square kilometers have been returned to productive use. But progress in several States has been disappointing, and in a small number it has been unacceptable.

2008: Crunch time for mine action

On the eve of the third UN International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (4 April), the International Campaign to Ban Landmines warns about the need to remain vigilant about compliance with obligations contained in the Mine Ban Treaty with regard to mine clearance and stockpile destruction.