Italy urged to embrace global landmine challenge
Author/Origin: Simona Beltrami simonaSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERcampagnamine.org |
(Thursday 17 July 2003 Rome, Italy)
As Italy takes over as President of the European Union for the next six months, the Italian Campaign to Ban Landmines and many of its international counterparts are urging the Italian government to take an active role in promoting the cause of a truly mine-free world.
The Italian presidency comes at a particularly critical time internationally, as the world is still reeling from the shock of the war in Iraq and stability appears to be at stake in many regions. But it also comes as representatives from State Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty and from mine-affected countries prepare to gather in Bangkok, Thailand, to assess how far the world has come in the struggle against mines, and how much remains to be done.
In this context, and in the face of the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by landmines across the globe, the Presidency of the EU must show firm political will to encourage all EU member states and indeed all countries to join the Mine Ban Treaty, to promote in every way possible actions to eradicate the present and future threat posed by antipersonnel mines, and give assistance to survivors.
We believe that Italy -- a country which has been capable of turning its back to a past as one of the world’s leading mine producers and exporters – can, and indeed must, embrace this challenge.
The 20,000 people who lose their lives or limbs to landmines every year deserve no less.
Click here to read the recommendations of the Italian Campaign to Ban Landmines to the EU Presidency.
This document is endorsed by the following campaigns/initiatives: ICBL, Non-violence International Bangladesh, Belarus Campaign to Ban Landmines, Handicap International Belgium/Belgian Network of the ICBL, Campaña Colombiana Contra Minas, Deutscher Initiativkreis für das Verbot von Landminen (Germany), Landmine Resource Centre for Lebanon, Nepal Campaign to Ban Landmines, Pakistan Campaign to Ban Landmines, Initiativa Zonal Geografica SIBIENII PACIFISTI (Romania), Landmine Action (UK).
