ICBL advocacy visit to Poland highlights need for further, sustained engagement

ICBL Advocacy Director Simona Beltrami speaks at a conference at Warsaw University.

Poland signed the Mine Ban Treaty nine years ago but still has not ratified. After a similar ICBL mission in early 2006, there were strong indications that the ratification process was underway. Unfortunately, a mixture of military considerations and domestic politics has led to a change in policy towards ratification. The most recent information, obtained during meetings at the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs, shows that it will be a number of years before Poland makes good on its 1997 commitment, citing the need to locate and implement security alternatives first. However, the Ministry of Defence told the ICBL that it will begin stockpile destruction in 2008 as the first stage of a “phasing out” process. In all respects, Poland remains in de facto compliance with the Treaty.

In the context of Landmine Awareness Days, ICBL representatives Simona Beltrami and Allison Pytlak spoke at a conference entitled “Landmines, ‘new weapons’, and International Humanitarian Law of Armed Conflicts”. The conference was held at WarsawUniversity and saw an attendance of over 90 people. This included military personnel, diplomatic representatives, professors and students. Other events included a week-long exhibition of mine action photographs by Australian photographer John Rodsted, a screening of the film “Disarm” and a social event.

“Despite the disheartening news about the ratification process, this week encouraged us in continuing our collaboration with the Polish Red Cross in order to maintain pressure on the Polish government yet and keep the issue current and alive amongst citizens,” said the ICBL’s Advocacy Director at the end of the visit.