Sample Letter to Editor on March 1st Anniversary

(Wednesday 13 February 2002 London) Sample letter to editor to be sent to your media sources on the occasion of March 1st, the third anniversary of the Mine Ban Treaty's entry into force.

1 March 2002 marks the third anniversary of the entry-into-force of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. To date, 142 countries have signed, and 122 have ratified this important treaty. Great progress has been made since the Mine Ban Treaty entered-into-force on 1 March 1999. The number of mines produced, stockpiled, exported and used has been significantly reduced, and the number of mines removed, availability of support for survivors and the number of countries party to the treaty has increased.

Despite this rapid progress, every day innocent civilians in 90 countries continue to live with the threat of landmines. Some countries continue to use mines, including India and Pakistan, who recently laid mines along their shared border.

On this historic day I call on all citizens to do their part in contributing to a landmine-free world, where people can gather firewood, till their fields and walk to the market without the threat of stepping on a landmine. Condemn India and Pakistan for their use of mines and urge them to halt their use of mines and both join the Mine Ban Treaty. For more information please visit http://www.icbl.org

(Name)
(Address)
(Country)