Global Mine Action Community Applauds Canada for Renewal of Canadian Landmine Fund

(Friday 29 November 2002 Ottawa, Canada) Ottawa ­ Almost five years after the Ottawa Convention banning landmines (a.k.a. Mine Ban Treaty) opened for signatures in Ottawa, the global mine action community is coming back to Ottawa to plan for the future of this unprecedented Canadian achievement. As they arrived, campaigners, government officials, and mine action experts from 23 countries were greeted with the news of Canada’s renewal of the Canadian Landmine Fund today.

“We are overjoyed that the fund has been renewed,” said Paul Hannon, Mines Action Canada Executive Director. “This is a long awaited announcement and it is the perfect birthday present as next week marks the 5th anniversary of the opening for signature of the Ottawa Convention. Canada was a world leader in the landmine issue since its inception in 1997 and, through this renewal, Canada has recommitted itself to world leadership on this issue.”

Currently, there are 90 mine-affected countries in the world. This includes Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, and Bosnia. Over the past five years, over 75% of the world’s countries have joined the Mine Ban Treaty ­ making it the most rapidly ratified convention in history. The Mine Ban Treaty was created through the unprecedented cooperation between civil society and government - a process that has been hailed as the best example of multi-literalism today.

On December 3rd 1997, Canada announced the creation of the Canadian Landmine Fund, which consisted of $100 million dollars over a five-year period. This fund would have expired in March 2003. The renewal of the Fund will allocate $72 million dollars over five years to mine action. These funds will go towards mine clearance, victim assistance, stockpile destruction, and the universalization of the Mine Ban Treaty.

“According to the Landmine Monitor 2002 report, for the first time since the Ottawa Convention entered into force, there was a stagnation in funding for mine action globally. In order to meet the deadlines of the Ottawa Convention, it is critical that the political will and financial resources continue to be strong. Canada’s renewal of the Fund places it among the six other largest donor governments in renewing their financial commitment to this issue,” stated Liz Bernstein, Coordinator of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL).

The deadline for all State Parties to destroy their stockpiles of antipersonnel mines begins in 2003. The deadline for all mine ­affected countries to clear their mines begins in 2009.

“It is increasingly clear at current levels of mine action funding many mine-affected states will not meet the ten-year treaty deadline for completion of mine clearance. The Convention also obligates us to provide for medical assistance, rehabilitation, and reintegration of landmine survivors back into their communities. This is a long term commitment that will require long term financial resources to address,” said Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and ICBL Ambassador. “It is imperative that Canada continues to set the example to the international community and renew its funding for mine action. For this reason, we welcome the news of this renewal and are thrilled to be here once again to celebrate at the birthplace of the Mine Ban Treaty.”

Over 100 campaigners, landmine survivors, government officials, and historical figures in the campaign will meet tomorrow to strategize on how to ensure that the goal of the Mine Ban Treaty is met ­ a world free from landmines.

Margaret Arach Orech and Becky Jordan. Photo by Lorraine & Rick Brand.

Mines Action Canada (MAC) is a coalition of over forty non-governmental mine action, peace, faith and human rights organizations that support a ban on antipersonnel landmines. MAC is the Canadian partner of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize winning International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL).

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