Author(s):
Site Admin <webmaster2SPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERicbl.org> .
Friday 13 October 2006
On 11 October 2006, the ICBL’s Advocacy Director presented findings from the 2006 edition of the Landmine Monitor in the context of the weekly Security Dialogue held by the OSCE’s Forum on Security Cooperation (FSC).
The FSC, now under Canadian chairmanship, deals with arms control issues as well as peace and confidence building in the OSCE area. The forum presented an interesting mix of countries, including some of the “pioneers” of the Ottawa process, some of the Mine Ban Treaty’s staunchest opponents, mine affected countries, stockpilers of anti-personnel mines as well as mine action donors.
After a brief overview of key global findings, the presentations focussed more closely on the situation in the OSCE area.
With regard to universalization of the Mine Ban Treaty, it was noted that about 80% of OSCE members have already joined it. However, special areas of concern for the ICBL remain, including continuing use by Russia and plans to resume production in the USA. Poland - a signatory since 1997 - was encouraged to complete ratification as soon as possible. Positive movement by countries in the region including Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, was noted. The ICBL called for universal accession as an important step towards regional stability, confidence and human security – all of which are areas of concern for the FSC.
Looking at the situation on the ground, Landmine Monitor considers mine affected 20 OSCE countries, while another two are mainly affected by unexploded ordnance.
An open minefield in the former Russian military base of Sagaredjo, Georgia. Photo: Mark Hiznay, HRW.
In 2005, 795 new casualties were recorded in the OSCE area, with the highest numbers being reported in Russia (305) and Turkey (220). Clearance activities were recorded in 12 countries and four territories. Eight countries in the OSCE area (Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Denmark, France, the Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia, Tajikistan, UK) are due to complete mine clearance under Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty between 2009 and 2010. In a very welcome development, the FYR of Macedonia recently completed its mine clearance obligations well ahead of its deadline.The OSCE area is also home of the world’s largest stockpilers of anti-personnel mines with the exception of China. These include Russia, the USA, Ukraine, Belarus and Turkey. The importance of stockpile destruction as a confidence building measure was stressed.
The presentation sparked a lively exchange of views among participants, focusing in particular on the drop in international mine action funding and its possible impact, on issues of national ownership and responsibility to address the mine problem, and on remaining universalization challenges.
