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What have people said about the Mine Ban Treaty?

  • “[T]ogether we have given the world the possibility of one day living on a truly mine-free planet” (Jody Williams, Nobel lecture in Oslo, Norway on 10 December 1997).
  • “The past few years’ unprecedented progress in the fight to eliminate landmines is a source of great satisfaction and joy to me, as it is to so many others. From my experience in peacekeeping, I have seen first-hand the literally crippling effects of landmines on people and communities alike. Not only do these abominable weapons lie buried in silence and in their millions waiting to kill or maim innocent women and children; but the presence or even the fear of the presence of a single landmine can prevent the cultivation of an entire field, rob a whole village of its livelihood, place yet another obstacle on a country’s road to reconstruction and development…” (Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations).
  • “All those States who have failed to sign this treaty have failed humanity – size, power and economy are irrelevant – they are intransigent and uncaring in the face of compelling humanitarian, economic and environmental evidence that antipersonnel mines should be banned” (Rae McGrath, Nobel lecture in Oslo, Norway on 10 December 1997).
  • “People can be protected if the treaty is signed and it will be effective only if it is ratified. War is so revolting!” (Nicholas and Clement, Gignac, France - ICBL website visitors book).
  • “In ratifying the Ottawa treaty, a country accepts that mines are no longer legitimate weapons to be used either in peacetime or in war. There are no exceptions to this rule” (International Committee of the Red Cross).
  • “I want a world where every child has a chance to wear two shoes. When I buy shoes, I have to hide one shoe because the empty shoe reminds me of my missing leg and the horror of landmines. Once I went to a shoemaker and asked, ‘Would you make me one shoe? Would you mind helping me by making me one shoe?’ ‘No,’ he said, ‘that would bring me bad luck.’ So I am asking the United States to ban landmines and give all children good luck” (Song Kosal, ICBL ambassador).

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Campaign 101
Mine Ban Treaty 101
Nairobi Summit (Review Conference) FAQ
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