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Ratification Update #10

Tuesday 08 September 1998. Origin/Author: Steve Goose

Ratification Update # 10

Steve Goose, Human Rights Watch

September 8, 1998

This is the tenth in the series of updates on ratification and signature of the Mine Ban Treaty.

SUMMARY

There have been 6 new ratifications deposited since the last update (Grenada, Mozambique, Yemen, Bulgaria, Belgium, Bosnia), for a total of 37.

There has been one new signatory (Albania) for a total of 130.

37 Official Ratifications deposited at the United Nations: Canada, Ireland, Mauritius, Turkmenistan, Holy See, San Marino, Switzerland, Hungary, Niue, Belize, Trinidad&Tobago, Djibouti, Croatia, Mali, Denmark, Bolivia, Mexico, Fiji, Peru, Zimbabwe,

South Africa, Austria, Andorra, Norway, Jamaica, France, Germany,

Samoa, United Kingdom, Bahamas, Malawi, Grenada, Mozambique,

Yemen, Bulgaria, Belgium, Bosnia.

7 others have apparently already passed ratification legislation, but not yet deposited it at the UN: Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Guatemala, Guinea, Italy,

and Mauritania. It is unclear if Namibia has also passed legislation.

ALBANIA

At the opening ceremony of the Albanian Campaign's Week Against Landmines in Tirana Mr. Pasholli of the Albanian Foreign Affairs Ministry announced that the government has already decided to sign the ban treaty and is preparing the paper to sign at the UN in New York within a few days. [Dhimiter Haxhimihali -- 8/31/98]

Albania signed on September 8, 1998, becoming number 130.

AUSTRALIA

The ratification legislation will hopefully be ready for tabling 31 August, then no debate can be held before 15 sitting days, so third week in September at the earliest. The Joint Committee on Treaties will hold public hearings on 7 September, provided that the Government does not call an election at that time. [Patricia Pak Poy -- 8/18/98]

BELGIUM

Belgium deposited its ratification at the UN on September 4, becoming number 36.

BENIN

Benin has passed domestic ratification legislation.

[Canada DFAIT -- July 1998]

BOSNIA

Bosnia deposited its ratification at the UN on September 8, becoming number 137.

BULGARIA

Bulgaria deposited its ratification at the UN on September 4, becoming number 35.

COLOMBIA

The new Government inaugurated on 7 August has just passed to Congress a draft Law of Ratification. The draft Law was actually the work of the previous Government and during the first half of 1998 a sometimes intense discussion of this piece of legislation took place mainly between the Foreign Ministry and the Defence Ministry. A group of Campaign members will be studying the draft Law and making its comments known to the Congressional Comission in charge of the first debate before it goes to the Senate plenary. [Eduardo Marino, Colombian Campaign -- 9/6/98]

GRENADA

Grenada deposited its ratification at the UN on August 19, becoming number 32.

GUATEMALA

Guatemala has passed domestic ratification legislation.

[Canada DFAIT -- August 1998]

MAURITANIA

Mauritania passed domestic ratification legislation on July 1, 1998. [UNICEF to Canada DFAIT -- July 1998]

MOZAMBIQUE

Mozambique deposited its ratification at the UN on August 25, bcoming number 33.

PHILIPPINES

Eight of 24 Philippine senators have signified their support for the ratification of the ban treaty in letters sent to the Philippine Campaign to Ban Landmines. Under Philippine laws, the Senate must ratify all international treaties with at least two-thirds voting in favor. The PCBL is now urging the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee to immediately table the matter at the Senate. There appears to be no controversy as to its passage, the problem is the Senate does not seem to find it urgent. [Miriam Ferrer, Philippine Campaign -- 8/20/98]

UNITED KINGDOM

There have been some questions regarding the UK's ratification instrument. There are some 'procedural' problems with the UK's instrument of ratification. However, the Treaty Section at the United Nations still considers the instrument legal and proper and therefore the UK stays on the list of ratifications. [Jeff Woods, Canada Dept. Foreign Affairs -- 8/19/98]