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Sunday 18 November 2007
Amman, 18 November 2007- Members of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) from over 60 countries are participating in the Eighth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty, starting today by the shores of the Dead Sea in Jordan. During the meeting, over 1,000 delegates from governments, international agencies and civil society will discuss progress in the implementation of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, which prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and trade of antipersonnel mines
This is the first time a Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty takes place in the Middle East, where adherence to the treaty remains particularly low despite the accession of Kuwait and Iraq in the past few months. Only seven of the 155 countries that have so far joined the treaty are from this region.
“The Middle East and North Africa region is a showcase of the challenges faced in the global efforts to clear antipersonnel mines and meet the needs of survivors,” said Ayman Sorour of the Egypt-based NGO Protection and member of the ICBL Management Committee. At least 15 countries and territories in the region are contaminated by the presence of landmines and other explosive remnants of war.
“Jordan, and more recently Iraq and Kuwait, have shown that even in difficult geopolitical contexts it is possible – and indeed necessary – to respond to humanitarian needs rather than defer to outdated and questionable military desires,” Sorour added. “We hope that this meeting will be an opportunity for other countries in the region to get involved and follow these examples.”
Discussions at the meeting will focus on implementation of treaty obligations, including that of clearing mines from all mined areas within 10 years of joining the treaty. As indicated in the Landmine Monitor Report 2007, almost half of the 29 countries whose deadline for clearance is set in 2009 and 2010 are not on course to finish on time.
”We expect frank discussions on the status of clearance in those countries and on the process to submit and review any requests for deadline extensions. The focus however should not be on requesting longer deadlines but on completing the work on time,” said Tamar Gabelnick, ICBL Treaty Implementation Director. “We have identified four countries that have not yet removed one single mine from the ground while their deadlines are approaching – France, Niger, the United Kingdom and Venezuela,” Gabelnick added.
On victim assistance – also an obligation under the treaty – the 24 states identified as having the most acute need will discuss their progress in setting goals and implementing plans to address the plight of survivors.
“We need to see more efforts and faster progress in fulfilling the needs and ensuring the rights of survivors,” said There is no excuse for the slow progress in this area. Survivors’ needs are urgent and life-long and they have to be addressed now. This cannot wait for the long-term programmes of affected States Parties,” said Margaret Arach Orech, ICBL Ambassador and landmine survivor from Uganda.
“As the Mine Ban Treaty turns 10, we have no doubts that it is a success story. However, this is still a success in progress and we cannot afford to rest yet. Sustained politicalleadership, financial and technical cooperation and assistance, and full and timely compliance with the treaty are crucial to ensure that the treaty can truly make a difference in the lives of all individuals and communities affected by mines,” stated Sylvie Brigot, ICBL Executive Director.
Background
The Mine Ban Treaty was signed in Ottawa, Canada on 3 December 1997. In the same year, the ICBL and its then coordinator Jody Williams were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their role in achieving the treaty. Forty countries have not agreed to be bound by the treaty yet. These include 11 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates).
The Meeting of States Parties to the treaty will take place at the King Hussain Bin Talal Conference Centre by the Dead Sea, Jordan, from 18 to 22 November.
ICBL delegates to the meeting include landmine survivors, mine action operators and advocates from a variety of backgrounds and countries.
ENDS…/
Media contacts: mediamspSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERlist.icbl.org - Arabic media: Natalie Abdou, + 962 (0) 79 983 9279
Ayman Sorour, +962 (0) 79 550 6846. International media: Simona Beltrami, + 962 (0) 79 965 0189; Gisela Luján, + 962 (0) 79 9752576
