Landmine Update #11

Contents:

• Ban Treaty News
• Campaign Action
• Mine Action Activities
• Landmine-related events by country April-September 2003
• Landmine Calendar of Events As of September 2003

Ban Treaty News

To date, 136 countries have ratified the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, and an additional 12 have signed it. The most recent accessions are Belarus (3 September) and Timor Leste (7 May) and the most recent ratifications are Guyana (5 August) and Lithuania (12 May).

The second session of the 2002-2003 Intersessional Standing Committee meetings was held from 12-16 May in Geneva, Switzerland. Approximately 458 participants representing 109 countries took part in this very important series of informal meetings, which have been a crucial tool to “mark, measure and ensure progress in implementation of the Convention” since September 1999. Participants included 86 States Parties, 23 non-States Parties, UN and Regional Organizations and over 60 ICBL members from 25 countries. Ten landmine survivors from Afghanistan, Cambodia, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka participated in the meetings as part of the Raising the Voices landmine survivor advocate training program (see Campaign Action).

The meeting agreed that the 2004 Mine Ban Treaty Review Conference will be held from 29 November- 3 December 2004 in Nairobi, Kenya. Austrian Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch has been named President-Designate. It was agreed that participation in the Review Conference should be at “the highest possible level.” Review Conference preparatory meetings will be held after the 2004 Standing Committee meetings (9-12 February and 14-18 June 2004).

Discussions were held throughout the week on all the key Articles in the Mine Ban Treaty (Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9), as well as ongoing preparations for the 5MSP in Bangkok. The Contact Groups on Universalization, Article 7 & 9 and the Resource Mobilization Contact Group also reported on their activities and meetings during the week.

The following countries were proposed as Standing Committee Co-Rapporteurs for 2003-2004, to be presented to the 5MSP for approval:

• General Status and Operation of the Convention: South Africa and New Zealand;
• Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration: Nicaragua and Norway;
• Mine Action, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies: Algeria and Sweden; and,
• Stockpile Destruction: Bangladesh and Canada.

Landmine Survivors Network and the Geneva Forum hosted “Rights not Charity,” a panel to discuss the need for and process to achieve a convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. The Permanent Mission of Spain hosted a workshop for Spanish-speaking delegations on implementing Article 9 legislation. Visit: www.icbl.org/sc or contact: walker(replace with at sign)icbl.org

Much of this period focused on preparations for the Fifth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty (5MSP) being held from 15-19 September in Bangkok, Thailand. Throughout the week campaigners will participate in the official 5MSP meetings, side events, lobby meetings, press events and much more. ICBL side events include art and photography exhibits, an interfaith service and a field trip to mine-affected communities along the Thai-Cambodian border. Contact: banemnow(replace with at sign)icbl.org. The ICBL Non-State Actors Working group organized “Looking Back, Looking Forward,” a one-day workshop on NSA engaged in a mine ban, to be held 13 September ( http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/367.php). Contact: twsc(replace with at sign)kssp.upd.edu.ph. Campaigners will remain in Bangkok after the 5MSP to participate in the Third Biennial ICBL General Meeting being held from 20-21 September, also in Bangkok. General Meetings are held once every two years and provide an opportunity for the entire campaign membership to meet to determine the future course and work of the organization. Over 280 ICBL campaigners and researchers from 72 countries will participate in this important series of events. Contact: banemnow(replace with at sign)icbl.org

Landmine Monitor, the ICBL’s civil society-based reporting initiative, compiled its annual report, Toward a Landmine-free World: Landmine Monitor 2003. A network of 110 researchers from 90 countries prepared reports on every country in the world with respect to landmine ban policy, use, production, transfer, stockpiling, mine action funding, mine clearance, mine risk education, landmine casualties, and survivor assistance. The report was released globally on 9 September ( http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/391.php). Campaigns in 15 countries held events to launch the report (see individual country reports). It was also released virtually and is available online at www.icbl.org/lm/2003/. Contact: lm(replace with at sign)icbl.org

Campaign Action

The 2003 Landmine Monitor Global Researchers meeting was held from 7-9 April in Rome, Italy. Over 70 researchers from 65 countries met to discuss their finalized country updates for Landmine Monitor Report 2003. At the opening of the meeting the ICBL called on Italy to use its powerful position as incoming president of the European Union (EU) to condemn antipersonnel mine use and actively promote mine prohibition (http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/318.php). Visit: http://www.icbl.org/lm/archives/000037.html or contact: lm(replace with at sign)icbl.org

Campaign advocacy initiatives in this period were focused on preparing for the 5MSP and working to engage Asian universalization targets. On 1 July the ICBL issued “Hold Hands Against Mines in Asia,” an action alert urging China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore and Sri Lanka to join the Mine Ban Treaty (http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/355.php). Contact: wixley(replace with at sign)icbl.org. The ICBL also issued a lobbying action alert in July to encourage campaigners to meet with their governments and engage in lobbying activities in advance of the 5MSP (http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/366.php). Contact: brigot(replace with at sign)icbl.org. The ICBL sent letters to all foreign ministers in August urging full and meaningful participation in the 5MSP. Contact: banemnow(replace with at sign)icbl.org

The Raising the Voices survivor advocate program brought 10 landmine survivors from South and South East Asia to Geneva, Switzerland in May to participate in the Intersessional Standing Committee meetings. Participants were introduced to human rights and disability law, the ICBL, and received training in advocacy skills. Contact: becky(replace with at sign)landminesurvivors.org

Young people from around the world collected over 100,000 petition signatures through the Youth Against War Treaty initiative, urging India and Pakistan to join the Mine Ban Treaty. The petition handover, scheduled for 9 September, has been postponed (http://www.icbl.org/youth/news/00000065.html). Contact: yaw(replace with at sign)icbl.org

The ICBL 2002 Annual Report was released in August along with the 2002 Independent Audit. Both reports are available online at: http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/371.php. Contact: banemnow(replace with at sign)icbl.org

The 108th Inter-parliamentary Union Conference was held from 6-12 April in Santiago, Chile. The ICBL worked with IPU members to encourage parliamentarian action in support of the Mine Ban Treaty. Contact: brigot(replace with at sign)icbl.org

Mine Action Activities

A new National Mine Action Authority and Iraq Mine Action Center opened in Baghdad, Iraq on 4 August. The institutions mark the beginning of renewed Iraqi institutional capacity in mine action. The United Nations inter-agency mission in Baghdad was holding a press conference on the landmine situation in Iraq on 22 August when a bomb exploded, injuring several mine action staff (http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/383.php). Contact: lawp(replace with at sign)un.org

On 4 September two employees from Mines Advisory Group (MAG) were ambushed and shot at as they drove their vehicle along a main road towards Mosul, northern Iraq. MAG’s bomb disposal expert, Ian Rimell, from Kidderminster, UK, was shot dead and his colleague, Salem Ahmed Mohammed, a local employee from the MAG demining team, is currently in a critical condition in northern Iraq (http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/395.php). Contact: irena.k(replace with at sign)mag.org.uk

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) released “Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance: A Guide to Mine Action,” on 4 September at an event hosted by the Geneva Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. This handbook provides basic information for diplomats, donors, lawyers, practitioners, scholars and the media on the key aspects of mine action and is intended to assist in decision-making, program planning and research. All five core components of mine action are included: mine risk education, humanitarian demining, victim assistance, stockpile destruction and advocacy against the use of antipersonnel mines. Visit: www.gichd.ch or contact: d.orifici(replace with at sign)gichd.ch

The Survey Action Center (SAC) and Mine Clearance Planning Agency (MCPA) conducted senior staff training in Kabul, Afghanistan from 3-22 August. SAC submitted its survey final draft report to the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) for review and the UN Certification Committee will review this draft in September. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) contributed significant funds to SAC to complete its final survey report for Somalia. The UN Certification Committee will review the survey in September. Scanteam completed field visits to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, Chad, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Thailand and Yemen. They will present their findings and recommendations at the Survey Working Group meeting on 15-16 October in Copenhagen, Denmark. Contact: bob(replace with at sign)sac-na.org

Landmine-related events by country April-September 2003

Access the Landmine Update online for event links and contacts: www.icbl.org/update/landmines

Afghanistan- The Afghan Campaign to Ban Landmines (ACBL) organized a youth letter writing campaign in July in response to the ICBL’s Asia Action Alert. Contact: mdcafghan(replace with at sign)hotmail.com

Australia- The ICBL Australian Network has commenced a postcard campaign seeking public support for the government to provide $150 million (AUD) for mine action over the next ten years. The Australian Network, in cooperation with UXO Lao produced “Claiming the Future,” a book that shows the impact of UXO and landmines on Lao PDR. The book is designed to help keep the problems and the need for mine action before the international community. Funding for the project came from AusAID and Caritas Australia. A video has been prepared on John Rodsted's tour of Afghanistan highlighting UXO problems. Contact: ppakpoy(replace with at sign)chariot.net.au

Austria- On 4 May violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and pianist Lambert Orkis performed in “2003 World Without Mines,” a charity benefit concert in Vienna organized by the Austrian Foreign Ministry to raise funds to support UNICEF and Red Cross mine action activities. Contact: wernfried.koeffler(replace with at sign)bmaa.gv.at

Azerbaijan- Members of the Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Landmines (AzCBL) met with the Public Union of Garabagh War Invalids, Veterans and Victims' Families on 9 June to encourage involvement in the mine ban movement. The AzCBL translated the Mine Ban Treaty text into Azeri with support from Canada. Representatives from the AzCBL visited several communities in June and July to inform authorities about the importance of joining the Mine Ban Treaty and to collect data about mine victims for a national database project. The AzCBL's Annual Meeting was held on 10 June in Baku. It was agreed that campaign members will promote the mine ban issue with candidates in the upcoming Presidential election. The AzCBL held a press conference on 17 July to discuss their campaign successes for the first half of 2003 and to announce upcoming activities including the Landmine Monitor launch. Contact: Azerbaijan(replace with at sign)icbl.org

Bangladesh- Nonviolence International Bangladesh held a Landmine Monitor release event on 9 September at the Reporters Unity Club in Dhaka. Speakers included the Director General of the UN wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Contact. mudita(replace with at sign)gshakti.com

Belarus- Belarus acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 September, following a decree signed by Head of the Belarus State Alexander Lukashenko on 28 July. The Belarus CBL noted “the decree on accession to the Ottawa Convention is to a large extent the result of the efforts of the Belarus and International Campaigns to Ban Landmines that have managed to build trust among the stake holders, establish a constructive dialogue with the Belarus authorities and develop a step-by-step strategy that is beneficial for all.” Belarus currently has the world's seventh largest landmine stockpile, with 4,5 millions mines. Contact: izaglm(replace with at sign)yahoo.com

Belgium- Handicap International Belgium organized a Landmine Monitor release event on 9 September at De Markten in Brussels with Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofftadt. Contact: koen.baetens(replace with at sign)handicap.be

Brazil- The Brazilian Campaign to Ban Landmines (BCBL) collected signatures for the Youth Against War Treaty at school presentations, public events and other activities throughout the country. Campaigners also did presentations about the landmines issue at an “Educators for Peace” workshop and collaborated with Desarme to publish media articles about landmines. Contact: brasil(replace with at sign)icbl.org

Cambodia- The Cambodian Campaign to Ban Landmines (CCBL) reissued its call for 10 out of 10 ASEAN countries to join the Mine Ban Treaty by the 5MSP (http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/353.php). This call was released on the eve of the 36th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, held from 16-17 June and the 10th ASEAN Regional Forum held from 18-20 June in Phnom Penh. The CCBL send letters to all diplomatic missions in Cambodia in preparation for these events and enclosed a copy of the report “ASEAN and the Banning of Antipersonnel Mines.” The CCBL also held a Landmine Monitor release event on 9 September at the National Centre of Disabled Persons in Phnom Penh. Contact: jrscam(replace with at sign)forum.org.kh

The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority organized “The Way Forward,” a national workshop on mine and UXO risk reduction in Cambodia, held on 12 June in Battambang. Contact: samsotha(replace with at sign)cmaa.gov.kh Cambodian landmine survivors participated in Exchange for Peace, a two-week education program started by Swiss MP Roland Wiederkehr. The theme of the this year’s program was landmines and the ICBL conducted workshops with participants in Geneva, Switzerland. Contact: walker(replace with at sign)icbl.org.

In July ICBL Ambassador Tun Channareth and Thai survivor and campaigner Wiboonrat Chancho sent letters to Foreign Ministers of non States Parties encouraging them to take steps towards joining the treaty and participate in the Fifth Meeting of States Parties in Bangkok.

CCBL members participated in a regional seminar organized by the Thailand Campaign to Ban Landmines in Bangkok and Pak Chong 20-21 August (see Thailand).

CCBL organized a delegation of 16 landmine survivors to travel via van from Cambodia to Thailand, where they joined 20 Thai landmine survivors to participate in opening ceremonies of the Fifth Meeting of States Parties in Bangkok 15 September.

Cameroon- The International Club for Peace Research (ICPR) released the Landmine Monitor Report on 9 September at an event at the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé. Speakers included representatives from ICPR, the ICRC and the Canadian High Commission. Contact: mjonascirp(replace with at sign)hotmail.com

Chile- The XXXIII OAS General Assembly was held in Santiago from 1-3 June. The final declaration included language promoting the Mine Ban Treaty. Contact: Charlie(replace with at sign)icbl.org. GSMAA, a Latin American survivor’s organization, created an online course to teach children about the dangers of mines. Contact: jose.larenas(replace with at sign)gsmma.org. Chile completed destruction of its 59,192 stockpiled mines on 25 August in Santa Cruz, Calama. Chilean Minister of Defense Michelle Bachelet, the Bolivian Consul General, members of the diplomatic community and NGOs participated in the final destruction event. Contact: holahan(replace with at sign)w.cl

Colombia- From 3-7 May the Campaña Colombiana contra Minas (CCCM) and Geneva Call held meetings with the National Liberation Army (ELN) to assess the possibility of engaging this non-state actor in adhering to the Mine Ban Treaty. Meetings were held with the Vice-President of Colombia, Colombian Armed Forces and Observatorio de Minas Antipersonal, ICRC, UN agencies, NGOs and indigenous groups. The delegation was able to meet with ELN Central Command in Havana, Cuba on 7 May. The ELN did not agree to cease its mine use but supported the idea of setting up a mine-free zone in an area under their control. On 26 June the Government of Colombia destroyed 496 mines at an event at the Battalion of the High Mountain of Sumapag in La Finca de Australia (http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/365.php). The Colombian Vice-President, Minister of Defence, diplomatic community, OAS, ICRC, UNICEF and CCCM members participated in the destruction event. Contact: cccminas(replace with at sign)cccminas.org.co

CIREC held a training workshop for young mine survivors in June and July as part of the “Semillas de Esperanza” project. Twenty-two young people traveled to Bogota to participate in workshops on rehabilitation issues. Two publications on victim assistance in Colombia were released during the seminar. Contact: fcirec(replace with at sign)colomsat.net.co

Denmark- DanChurchAid held a Landmine Monitor release event on 9 September, which included distribution of Landmine Monitor postcards to cafes throughout Copenhagen. Contact: lih(replace with at sign)dca.dk

Finland- In June, Finland’s new Minister of Defense noted in a media interview that Finland’s objective of joining the Mine Ban Treaty by 2006, as outlined in a 2001 report on Finnish Security and Defense Policy, was not binding on the new government. This announcement, issued shortly after an ICBL visit to Helsinki, galvanized members of the Finnish Campaign to Ban Landmines FCBL) into action. From 9-10 September the FCBL organized two mine action days. Events included information sharing roundtable meetings and Landmine Monitor release events with Members of Parliament in Helsinki and a presentation of the Landmine Monitor report to parliamentary groups, NGOs and the media at Finnish Parliament. ICBL members, including Bosnian landmine survivor Zlatko Vezilic participated in these events. The Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the inauguration of John Rodsted’s “Aftermath” photo exhibition. Contact: sanna.rummakko(replace with at sign)kaapeli.fi

France- In June, Handicap International (HI) sent a letter signed by scientists to the heads of state of Mine Ban Treaty States Parties and non-States Parties and their diplomatic missions in France, encouraging them to join the Mine Ban Treaty. In August, HI sent a letter encouraging Mine Ban Treaty universalization to several diplomatic representatives of non-States Parties based in France. HI launched the Landmine Monitor report at an event on 9 September in Paris. Contact: clefort(replace with at sign)handicap-international.org

Greece- On 6 May the Governments of Greece and Turkey released a joint statement after a meeting of their Prime Ministers in Kas, Turkey, stating that the two countries will now proceed to submit their instruments of ratification/ accession to the United Nations and become full States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty (http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/328.php).

Guyana- Ratified the Mine Ban Treaty on 5 August.

India- The Indian Campaign to Ban Landmines and Global Green Peace organized a workshop in Srinagar on 20 April. The event’s objective was to raise awareness of the landmine situation in India and mobilize civil society to act against mine use. Contact: ggpkash(replace with at sign)sancharnet.in. The Indian Campaign to Ban Landmines launched the Landmine Monitor report at an event at Rainbow Higher Secondary School in New Delhi. Speakers including a representative from the Canadian High Commission. Contact: iipdep_ngp(replace with at sign)sancharnet.in

Indonesia- On 29 May a seminar on the Mine Ban Treaty was held at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Jakarta. Participants included Canadian Mine Action Ambassador Ross Hynes, ICBL Ambassador Tun Channareth, representatives from the Indonesian government, diplomatic community, UN, academia, media and national and international NGOs. The seminar was held to raise awareness of the mines issue and encourage ratification of the Mine Ban Treaty. The Government established a working group made up of relevant government bodies including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Industry, to define the route towards ratification.

On 26 June the Canadian and Dutch Embassies in Jakarta co-hosted a dinner at the Canadian Ambassador's residence for the Indonesian government, UN, diplomatic community, NGOs and media. Approximately 70 people participated in this event including ICBL Ambassador Tun Channareth. The dinner was organized in celebration of the establishment of an inter-departmental working group, whose mandate is to address issues surrounding Indonesia's ratification of the Mine Ban Treaty. The Canadian and Dutch Ambassadors appealed to the government to ratify the Mine Ban Treaty. ICBL Ambassador Tun Channareth reminded guests of the importance of the Treaty.

UNICEF hosted a meeting of the Coordinating Working Group for the Indonesian Campaign to Ban Landmines (IndoCBL) to provide information about the mines issue in Indonesia, allow the government to provide an update on the ratification process, allow LAPASIP to provide information about campaign experiences, discuss campaign strategies and develop a clear idea of who will be interested in supporting IndoCBL activities. Participants included members of the NGO and diplomatic communities and the UN.

IndoCBL campaigners also urged EU Commissioner Chris Patten to include the issue of landmines in his discussions with the Government of Indonesia. In preparation for the 5MSP campaigners sent letters to the editors of newspaper and participated in a regional mine action seminar in Bangkok in August. Contact: solvang(replace with at sign)jrs.or.id

Ireland- Pax Christi Ireland organized a conference on Explosive Remnants of War from 23-25 April in Dublin, hosted by the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Conference participants created the Cluster Munitions Coalition, a group of NGOs to work on the issues of explosive remnants of war and cluster munitions. Contact: paxtdc(replace with at sign)indigo.ie

Italy- The Italian government took over the Presidency of the European Union in July. The Italian Campaign to Ban Landmines (ItCBL) and many of its international counterparts urged the Italian government to use this position to take an active role in promoting actions toward creating a mine-free world (http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/363.php). Italian NGO INTERSOS started a rapid reaction mine and UXO clearance project in Southern Iraq in July (http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/343.php). The ItCBL launched the Landmine Monitor report on 9 September at the European Parliament Office in Rome. Contact: coordinamento(replace with at sign)campagnamine.org

Japan- The Japan Campaign to Ban Landmines (JCBL) launched the 2003 Landmine Monitor report at a press conference on 9 September in Tokyo. Contact: banmines(replace with at sign)jca.apc.org

Jordan- Representatives from Landmine Survivors Network participated in Jordan’s final stockpile destruction events held on 23 April (http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/324.php). Contact: Mona(replace with at sign)lsnmena.org. Campaigners in Jordan completed production of a 30 minute documentary film about landmines and mine victims in Jordan. Contact: kamelsaadi(replace with at sign)joinnet.com.jo

Kenya- The Kenya Coalition Against Landmines released the Landmine Monitor report at an event at the Grand Regency Hotel in Nairobi on 9 September. Contact: kcal(replace with at sign)africaonline.co.ke. A workshop on engaging Non-State Actors in a mine ban organized by Geneva Call was held from 1-2 September in Nairobi. Contact: geneva.call(replace with at sign)worldcom.ch

Korea- The Korean Campaign to Ban Landmines (KCBL) drafted legislation to present to the Korean Government, urging mine clearance and compensation for landmine survivors. To highlight this activity the KCBL created an exhibition of cartoons depicting how landmines affect Korean civilians. Contact: kcbl(replace with at sign)netian.com

Kyrgyzstan- The IPPNW- Kyzgyz Committee (IPPNW-K) created a photo exhibition highlighting the mine situation in southern Kyrgyzstan. This project received support from the Rotary Club of Bishkek. Public showings of the exhibition were held from 2-9 May at the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University and from 1-8 June at the Ganci Airbase. Contact: astma(replace with at sign)kyrnet.kg

Lithuania- Ratified the Mine Ban Treaty on 12 May.

Nepal- The ICBL Working Group on Non-State Actors conducted a mission to Nepal from 8-14 June to assess the landmine situation in the country and encourage all parties to the conflict to adhere to the international norm against mine use (http://www.nepal.icbl.org/nsa.htm#mission). Campaigners met with the leadership of the Communist Party of Nepal, the Government of Nepal peace negotiator, political parties, the National Human Rights Commission, the diplomatic community and NGOs. Nepal was encouraged to join the Mine Ban Treaty and include the mines issue in peace negotiations. A press conference was held on 15 June in Kathmandu at the conclusion of the mission. Campaigners from Japan, Australia, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Bangladesh participated in the mission. Contact: mcferrer(replace with at sign)mydestiny.net. A Ban Landmine Campaign Nepal delegation met with Nepali Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa on 14 August. The delegation urged the Prime Minister to join the Mine Ban Treaty and encouraged him to send a high-level delegation to the 5MSP. Contact: ncbl(replace with at sign)mail.com.np

New Zealand- The New Zealand Campaign Against Landmines (CALM) supported Landmine Action UK's Clear Up campaign by collecting petition signatures and writing letters. CALM helped to lobby delegates to the Pacific Islands Forum held from 14-16 August in Auckland. A CALM member participated in a New Zealand Government mission to Papua New Guinea in April to encourage that country to join the Mine Ban Treaty. CALM also received a new domain name: www.calm.org.nz. Youth campaigners collected 26 pages of signatures for the Youth Against War Treaty. CALM also facilitated the participation of activists from the Pacific Islands, with financial support from the Government of New Zealand, to the Fifth Meeting of States Parties. Contact: jhead(replace with at sign)i4free.co.nz

Norway- Norwegian People’s Aid launched the Landmine Monitor report on 9 September at an event at NPA headquarters. Contact: per.nergaard(replace with at sign)npaid.org

Pakistan- The Pakistan Campaign to Ban Landmines (PCBL) held a conference on the impacts of landmines on survivors, focusing on child survivors. The conference was held in Islamabad on 10 June. Representatives from the Canadian and Swiss Embassies chaired the event and speakers included the ICRC and PCBL. Contact: Pakistan(replace with at sign)icbl.org. The Sustainable Peace and Development Organization (SPADO) held a Landmine Monitor release event on 9 September in Peshawar. Contact: spado(replace with at sign)mail.com

Peru- The Americas Regional Mine Action Seminar, "En Camino hacia un Hemisferio Libre de Minas Antipersonal," hosted by Canada, Peru and the OAS, was held from 14-15 August in Lima (http://maic.jmu.edu/JOURNAL/7.3/notes/mullen/mullen.htm). ICBL campaigners and researchers from Brazil, Canada, Colombia and Brazil participated in this meeting and made interventions in the sessions on regional planning and priority setting and victim assistance. Contact: Charlie(replace with at sign)icbl.org

Republic of Congo- Handicap International Belgium participated in a workshop on the implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo. The workshop took place in Brazzaville from 7-8 May and was organized by the Republic of Congo and Canada. Contact: koen.baetens(replace with at sign)handicap.be

Serbia and Montenegro- The Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro approved legislation for accession to the Mine Ban Treaty on 20 June. Contact: sikavica(replace with at sign)beotel.yu or biserkos(replace with at sign)eunet.yu

South Africa- South Africa passed into law B44 – 2002: Anti-Personnel Mines Prohibition Bill as required under Article 9 of the Mine Ban Treaty. Contact: wixley(replace with at sign)icbl.org

Sri Lanka- The Sri Lankan Campaign to Ban Landmines and the Inter-Religious Peace Foundation issued a statement at the beginning of the Donor Conference on Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka held in Tokyo, Japan from 8-10 June (http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/348.php). The statement called on Sri Lanka to join the Mine Ban Treaty. The Japan and Sri Lankan campaigns worked together to participate in and ensure landmines were addressed in this conference. They participated in an NGO event held before the donors' conference on 8 June and issued a statement to the Sri Lanka government, LTTE and Japanese government. Contact: fdea(replace with at sign)dialogsl.net

In July, Landmine Action in partnership with the Inter-Religious Peace Foundation, held a conference on antipersonnel mines in Colombo. The event was part of a joint, cross-conflict initiative to secure support for a mine ban from both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. The Sri Lankan government, military, mine action organizations, the UN, ICRC and NGOs participated in the event. Also in July, Landmine Action launched “Explosive Remnants of War in Sri Lanka,” a report about Sri Lanka’s explosive remnants of war contamination. Contact: info(replace with at sign)landmineaction.org

Sudan- On 10 August the Sudanese Government’s Council of Ministers voted to ratify the Mine Ban Treaty. The Sudan Campaign to Ban Landmines met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail on 15 August and commended this vote and the Minister’s special efforts on this issue, and urged him to continue to ensure Sudan submitted its instrument of ratification before the 5MSP. Contact: waleed.elbashir(replace with at sign)sudanmail.net.sd

Sweden- The Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society (SPAS) issued a press release for the Landmine Monitor report on 9 September. Contact: frida.blom(replace with at sign)svenska-freds.se

Switzerland- The Landmine Monitor report was released on 9 September at an event at the UN Palais des Nations in Geneva. Speakers included Ambassador Jean Lint, President of the Mine Ban Treaty’s Fourth Meeting of States Parties. Contact: walker(replace with at sign)icbl.org

Timor Leste- Acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty on 7 May.

Thailand- The Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC), in partnership with Thailand Campaign to Ban Landmines (TCBL) and its network of NGOs, organized a bicycle rally from Bangkok to Lopburi from 22-24 April (http://www.icbl.org/news/archive/old/323). Fifty-five cyclists, including 35 landmine survivors, cycled for 135 kilometres to Lopburi, where the Royal Thai Government destroyed its remaining stockpile of antipersonnel mines. Contact: thailand(replace with at sign)icbl.org

In May, Nonviolence International South East Asia released “ASEAN and the Banning of Antipersonnel Landmines,” a report containing the 2002 Landmine Monitor reports for all 10 ASEAN countries in addition to an analysis of trends in treaty compliance and mine action in the region (http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/352.php). Contact: seasia(replace with at sign)nonviolenceinternational.net

The TCBL launched its “Hold Hands Against Mines” campaign on 17 July in Bangkok, hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs (http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/379.php). Participants painted their handprints on banners to show their support for a mine-free world. Subsequently handprints were collected in four provinces.

On 16 August the TCBL held a Ban Landmines Fair in Rodfai Park in Bangkok. About 700 children, youth, parents and general public, as well as a Senator and the Chairman of TCBL participated. It was a full afternoon of fun in the park with painting, puppet shows, story telling, children’s library books, drawing contest, walk rally with wheelchair victim escorts, literature distribution, a mobile exhibition by TCBL and a demining demonstration by civilian deminers from the Gen. Chatchai Choonhavan Foundation. Youth signatures were collected for the campaign against mines in India and Pakistan and “Hold Hands Against Mines” hand printing took place.

From 20-21 August members of civil society organizations, media, academia, UN organizations as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand met in Bangkok and Pak Chong for “APMs- Are they not worth it?” This ASEAN regional seminar discussed non-use of mines and included a field trip to a mined area. Participants formulated recommendations on what they would like to see from the 5MSP Contact: thailand(replace with at sign)icbl.org

The TCBL launched the Landmine Monitor report on 10 September at an event organized at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Bangkok. The Landmine Monitor researchers on Thailand and Burma presented their findings, Liz Bernstein of ICBL gave a regional overview and introduction to the Meeting of States Parties and Ms. Vanvessa Vanno of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke on cooperation with NGOs.

TCBL campaigners were also extremely busy preparing to host the 5MSP and ICBL General Meeting, to be held in Bangkok from 15-21 September, for which TCBL provided coordination. Contact: thailand(replace with at sign)icbl.org

Turkey- The Campaign for a Turkey without Mines (Turkish Campaign) organized “Antipersonnel Landmines in Turkey and Worldwide,” a conference held in Istanbul on 26 April and organized in cooperation with the Swiss Campaign to Ban Landmines and Medico International. Approximately 60 representatives from States Parties, the ICBL and other NGOs participated in this event. The conference issued a declaration calling on Turkey and Greece to join the Mine Ban Treaty as soon as possible and by the 5MSP (http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/325.php). On 6 May the Governments of Greece and Turkey released a joint statement after a meeting of their Prime Ministers in Kas, Turkey, stating that the two countries will now proceed to submit their instruments of ratification/ accession to the United Nations and become full States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty (http://www.icbl.org/news/2003/328.php). The Turkish Campaign organized a release of the Landmine Monitor report on 9 September in Istanbul. Approximately 15 media representatives attended and the event was widely covered. Another release event was held at the Bar Association in Diyarbakir. Contact: mbalci(replace with at sign)mayinsizbirturkiye.org

Uganda- The Government of Uganda began destruction of 5018 of its 6782 stockpiled mines in a ceremony on 7 July at the Kigo Prison shooting range. The remaining 1764 mines will be retained for training purposes. Several mines were symbolically destroyed during the ceremony and the rest will be destroyed at the Nakasongola Militry Barracks. Government and military officials, the diplomatic community, religious leaders and the media participated in this event. Contact: mworozi(replace with at sign)imul.com

Ukraine- The Ukrainian Peacekeepers Association (UPA) participated in “Caravan of Peace 2003,” a series of events held in the Ukraine, France, Poland and Russia from May to September. UPA worked with partnering organizations to arrange seminars designed to increase awareness of the landmine situation globally and in the FSU region and to promote the Ukraine’s ratification of the Mine Ban Treaty. A workshop was held at the UN Youth Summit held in Kiev in July. Contact: Ukraine(replace with at sign)icbl.org

United Kingdom- In July, Landmine Action in partnership with the Inter-Religious Peace Foundation, held a conference on antipersonnel mines in Colombo, Sri Lanka (see Sri Lanka). “Explosive Remnants of War: a global survey” was published in June. This report reveals that more than 80 countries and ten disputed territories are affected by explosive remnants of war (ERW) throughout the world, highlighting the need for international humanitarian law to deal with this pressing issue. Contact: info(replace with at sign)landmineaction.org

United States- The United States Campaign to Ban Landmines (USCBL) coordinated campaign participation at events with Presidential Candidates. Dozes of campaigners from across the country attended events with the candidates running for President. At the large events they held “Ban Landmines” signs and at smaller events they asked the candidates about their position on the Mine Ban Treaty. Candidates Carol Moseley Braun and Rev. Al Sharpton both indicated, at two separate forums, that they supported the treaty. Howard Dean told one USCBL activist that he supports the treaty. Dennis Kucinich indicates his support for the treaty on his website. John Kerry has previously expressed support for the treaty, but has not made any recent statement on this issue. The other candidates have not declared a position. Prominent US health professionals also signed a letter to the presidential candidates urging them to support the mine ban.

The USCBL also sent letters to President Bush, Condoleezza Rice, Donald Rumsfeld, and Colin Powell along with a collection of pro-Mine Ban Treaty media pieces from the past few years. The USCBL website at www.banminesusa.org was also upgraded. Contact: banmines(replace with at sign)phrusa.org

Landmine Survivors Network organized a delegation of landmine survivors to participate in the 2nd Ad Hoc Committee to Consider Proposals for a Convention to Promote the Rights of People with Disabilities, held in New York City in June. Contact: becky(replace with at sign)landminesurvivors.org

The Landmine Monitor report was released at an event organized by Human Rights Watch and the ICBL, held on 9 September at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Speakers included Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Peace Laureate, and Stephen Goose, Executive Director of the Arms Division of Human Rights Watch. Contact: wareham(replace with at sign)hrw.org

Uruguay- A Uruguayan youth campaigner held an ICBL information table at the MERCOSUR Ministers of Defense Meeting held from 6-8 May in Montevideo. Uruguay completed its stockpile destruction in August. Contact: lauranoboa(replace with at sign)adinet.com.uy

Landmine Calendar of Events

As of September 2003

Send your additions and changes to banemnow(replace with at sign)icbl.org

Please note that this document is only posted to maintain the campaign history - to see the most current calendar go to www.icbl.org/calendar

2003

September

1-2: Nairobi, Kenya. Meeting of experts about engaging non-state actors from the Greater Horn of Africa in a landmine ban. Contact: geneva.call(replace with at sign)worldcom.ch

3: Warsaw, Poland. Polish Ukrainian Military Association meeting to explore future joint mine action activities between the two countries along the Iraq-Iran border. Contact: ukraine(replace with at sign)icbl.org

9: Worldwide. 2003 Landmine Monitor Report released. Contact: lm(replace with at sign)icbl.org

13: Bangkok, Thailand. “Looking Backwards, Looking Forwards,” workshop on non-state actors organized by the ICBL Working Group on Non-State Actors. Contact: twsc(replace with at sign)kssp.upd.edu.ph

15-19: Bangkok, Thailand. Fifth Meeting of States Parties to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. For ICBL contact: banemnow(replace with at sign)icbl.org

15-18: Brussels, Belgium. International Conference on Requirements and Technologies for the Detection, Removal and Neutralization of Landmines and UXO. Sponsored by EUDEM2-SCOT. Contact kdebruyn(replace with at sign)vub.ac.be or visit: http://www.eudem.vub.ac.be/eudem2-scot/

17 or 18: Barcelona, Spain. Landmine Monitor Report launch organized by Moviment per la Pau. Contact: movpau(replace with at sign)pangea.org

20-21: Bangkok, Thailand. ICBL General Meeting. Contact: banemnow(replace with at sign)icbl.org

21: International Day of Peace.

26-28: Moscow, Russia. Landmine Monitor report release organized by IPPNW- Russia and the Russian UN Peacekeeping Museum. Contact: scippnw(replace with at sign)online.ru

End of month: Thailand. New Zealand Campaign Against Landmines (CALM) fundraising "run for those who cannot run." Contact: jhead(replace with at sign)i4free.co.nz

October

7: France. 9th Annual Shoe Pyramid organized by Handicap International in 30 cities throughout France. Contact: clefort(replace with at sign)handicap-international.org

7-8: Bali, Indonesia. 9th ASEAN Summit. Visit: http://www.aseansec.org

8: Canberra, Australia. Launch of the Landmine Monitor report at Parliament House. Contact: ppakpoy(replace with at sign)chariot.net.au

17: Wellington, New Zealand. New Zealand Campaign Against Landmines (CALM) Landmine Monitor report launch. Contact: jhead(replace with at sign)i4free.co.nz

17-18: Bangkok, Thailand. 15th APEC Ministerial Meeting. Visit: http://www.apec.org/

20-21: Bangkok, Thailand. 11th Informal APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. Visit: http://www.apec.org/

23-25: Putrajaya, Malaysia. 10th Summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

24: United Nations Day.

24-30: Disarmament Week.

27-18: Mexico City, Mexico. OAS Hemispheric Security Meeting. For ICBL contact: charlie(replace with at sign)icbl.org

November

3-5: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. 2004 ICBL and Landmine Monitor Regional Meeting for the Former Soviet Union. Contact: lm(replace with at sign)icbl.org

3-9: UK. Landmine Action Week focused on the Clear Up! ERW campaign, organized by Landmine Action UK and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. Visit: http://www.landmineaction.org/resources/resource.asp?resID=1028 or contact: info(replace with at sign)landmineaction.org

6: International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict.

7-9: Sydney, Australia. ICBL Australia Network Annual General Meeting and National Meetings. Contact: ppakpoy(replace with at sign)chariot.net.au

7-11: Orlando, Florida, USA. NATO Parliamentary Assembly. For ICBL contact: brigot(replace with at sign)icbl.org

14-15: Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. XIII Cumbre Iberoamericana de Jefes de Estado y de Gobierno. For ICBL contact: charlie(replace with at sign)icbl.org

16: International Day for Tolerance.

18: Abuja, Nigeria. Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). For ICBL contact: wixley(replace with at sign)icbl.org

20: Universal Children's Day.

December

3: Events Worldwide. Sixth Anniversary of the Opening for Signature of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty and International Day for Disabled Persons. Visit: http://www.icbl.org or contact: banemnow(replace with at sign)icbl.org

3: Kathmandu, Nepal. Landmine Monitor report briefing organized by the Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal. Contact: ncbl(replace with at sign)mail.com.np

8-9: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Seminar on "Learning from the experiences of landmines and explosive remnants of war problems and victim assistance in the region." Organized by the Arab Net of Researchers on Landmines and ERW. Contact: afodafro(replace with at sign)scs-net.org or lm(replace with at sign)medinews.com

10-11: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. 2004 ICBL and Landmine Monitor Regional Meeting for the Middle East and North Africa. Contact: lm(replace with at sign)icbl.org

10: Human Rights Day.

TBC: Seoul, Korea. First Meeting of the East Asia Forum. Visit: http://www.aseansec.org/

2004

January

24-25: Davos, Switzerland. World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.

26-30: Bogota, Colombia. 2004 ICBL and Landmine Monitor Regional Meeting for the Americas. Contact: lm(replace with at sign)icbl.org

February

9-12: Geneva, Switzerland. Mine Ban Treaty Intersessional Standing Committee Meetings. Visit: http://www.icbl.org/sc and for ICBL contact: walker(replace with at sign)icbl.org For GICHD visit http://www.gichd.ch/mbc/index.htm

13: Geneva, Switzerland. Mine Ban Treaty Review Conference Preparatory Meeting. Visit: http://www.icbl.org/sc and for ICBL contact: walker(replace with at sign)icbl.org For GICHD visit http://www.gichd.ch/mbc/index.htm

9-11: Canberra, Australia. Third Australian-American Joint Conference on Technologies of Minecountermeasures and Unexploded Ordnance. Contact: paul.piperias(replace with at sign)dsto.defence.gov.au

26-28: Luanda, Angola. 2004 ICBL and Landmine Monitor Regional Meeting for Africa. Contact: lm(replace with at sign)icbl.org

March

28-31: Kabul, Afghanistan. 2004 ICBL and Landmine Monitor Regional Meeting for Asia-Pacific. Contact: lm(replace with at sign)icbl.org

April

26-30: Krakow, Poland. "The Youth Disabled in New Europe" conference hosted by the Polish Association of Disabled People. Contact: pson(replace with at sign)uran.ip.krakow.pl

28-30: Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. 2004 ICBL and Landmine Monitor Regional Meeting for Europe. Contact: lm(replace with at sign)icbl.org

May

7: Australia. Landmine Action Day organized by the ICBL Australia Network and AustCare. Contact: ppakpoy(replace with at sign)chariot.net.au

9-13: Monterey, CA, USA. Sixth International Symposium on Technology and the Mine Problem. Contact: amb(replace with at sign)demine.org or visit: http://www.demine.org/SCOT/

June

3-5: Vienna, Austria. 2nd Conference on Public Health and War-related Injuries. Visit: http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/media/events/2nd_war_injuries/en/index.html

21-25: Geneva, Switzerland. Mine Ban Treaty Intersessional Standing Committee Meetings. Visit: http://www.icbl.org/sc and for ICBL contact: walker(replace with at sign)icbl.org For GICHD visit http://www.gichd.ch/mbc/index.htm

28-29: Geneva, Switzerland. Mine Ban Treaty Review Conference Preparatory Meeting. Visit: http://www.icbl.org/sc and for ICBL contact: walker(replace with at sign)icbl.org For GICHD visit http://www.gichd.ch/mbc/index.htm

21-22 (TBC): Croatia. 2004 Landmine Monitor Global Researchers Meeting. Contact: lm(replace with at sign)icbl.org

TBC: Quito, Ecuador. Americas Regional Mine Action Seminar. For ICBL contact: charlie(replace with at sign)icbl.org

November

29-3 December: Nairobi, Kenya. First Review Conference on the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. For ICBL contact: banemnow(replace with at sign)icbl.org

December

3: Seventh Anniversary of the Opening for Signature of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty and International Day for Disabled Persons. Contact: banemnow(replace with at sign)icbl.org or http://www.icbl.org