This first Review Conference was widely viewed as the most significant event in the life of the Mine Ban Treaty since it was opened for signature in Ottawa, Canada on 3 December 1997. Realizing that the Nairobi Summit would shape the next five years of work related to the treaty, the ICBL used the event to provide new impetus, momentum and advocacy opportunities for its membership.
Road to Nairobi: Preparatory Work
ICBL contributed to the entire Review Conference preparatory process in close partnership with key government leaders, the Implementation Support Unit (ISU), the United Nations (UN) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). It participated in the Nairobi Task Force and communications meetings and coordinated the ICBL Working Groups’ input into each draft of the Review Conference documents: the “Nairobi Declaration”, the “Review (1999-2004)”, the “Nairobi Action Plan (2005-2009)” and the “Draft programme of meetings and related matters to facilitate implementation (2005-2009)”. Much of the ICBL’s extensive comments on these texts were included in the final documents that emerged from the Review Conference, often verbatim. ICBL’s suggestions were particularly influential in the areas of victim assistance and mine action. To cite just one example among the many, ICBL succeeded in inserting into the Action Plan recognition that mine risk education needs to be integrated into education systems and broader relief and development activities.
On the Road to Nairobi, the ICBL worked closely with the President-Designate, the Coordinating Committee, the ISU, and other governmental, UN and NGO partners in the preparation of the 2004 Nairobi Summit. In particular, ICBL was able to present its expectations for the Summit at the end of each regional preparatory meeting of the States Parties held in Romania, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Tajikistan, Lithuania, Thailand and Peru. Campaigners from the region, ICBL staff, Landmine Monitor coordinators and the ICBL diplomatic advisor made these interventions. In addition to speaking publicly, ICBL ensured that campaigners from the relevant regions were present and able to discuss the issue at stake with participants. Also, the ICBL sent letters and contacted the relevant governmental bodies to raise issues of concern in preparation for these meetings.
Nairobi Countdown
On 23 August 2004, the ICBL launched a series of countdown action alerts in preparation for the Nairobi Summit. The first alert, called “ 100 days to go”, urged campaigners to ensure their government would send a high-level, well-prepared delegation and provide timely input on the Action Plan and other draft Summit documents. It proposed “ where to find detailed information on ICBL messages, priorities, countries of concern” on every issue related to the Convention and landmines. On 10 September 2004, ICBL issued another alert, “ Countdown Nairobi: 80 Days To Take Action!”, which included a special request to campaigners to seek clarity on important issues of concern ahead of the Summit. The next alert, sent on 13 October, aimed at strengthening support for some important concerns the ICBL Mine Action Working Group raised during the last preparatory meeting of the Summit held in Geneva on 24 September. “ Countdown Nairobi: Ensure strong commitments to clear all antipersonnel mines!” asked campaigners to ensure states would strengthen the language on mine action included in the Summit documents, specifically committing themselves to accelerating mine clearance, clearing and destroying all landmines on their territory within the Treaty’s 10-year deadline, and enhancing effectiveness in mine action. The last alert “ Countdown Nairobi! Get our message into the media!”; just 20 days before the opening of the Summit, included a call for all Heads of States to attend the Summit and an invitation to campaigners to challenge their governments to appear on the “ list of VIPs” attending the Summit to demonstrate the importance they attach to the landmine issue.
The alerts prompted a significant degree of media and advocacy activities by member organizations. With the assistance of ICBL staff, many country campaigners held events drawing attention to the Nairobi Summit, while others spoke about the importance of the Summit at global and regional events.
Communication/media strategy
Preparation
The ICBL’s slogan for the Nairobi Summit: “WANTED: a Mine-Free World” was integrated into all its media events, statements and other materials during 2004. The materials were designed primarily for use at the Summit, but the versatile and adaptable message ensures an ongoing “shelf life” beyond the Summit.
ICBL’s Summit-related messages were also communicated by ICBL members during various activities throughout the year. Examples include the participation of the Zambian Campaigner Robert E. Mtonga at the Civicus World Assembly, Gaborone, Botswana, 21 - 26 March where he ran a workshop and highlighted the upcoming Review conference, as well as the participation of Dr. Kurvey of the Indian Campaign to Ban Landmines in the World Health Organization and Centre for Disease Control conference on the “Role of Public Health in Preventing War-related Injuries and Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion,” held from 3-9 June in Vienna, Austria.
In the months leading up to the summit, the ICBL took part in a number of joint media briefings, including in Geneva and Nairobi. The ICBL media team also did a great deal of preliminary outreach with the media, particularly with African media. Five ICBL press releases were issued in 2004 prior to the Summit.
Activities at the Summit
ICBL Ambassador Jody Williams participated in the opening and closing press conferences with the President of the Summit, Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch. Williams gave many interviews, as did the ICBL’s other Ambassadors, Tun Channareth and Song Kosal. There were also countless interviews with landmine survivors, youth campaigners and campaigners with regional or thematic expertise.
Three tools were used to encourage and facilitate media outreach by national campaigns: the ICBL morning briefings with campaigners, an internal document with ideas on angles and media opportunities, and an action alert of 9 November that included ideas on possible media outreach activities and tools, such as a draft advisory and other information for the press.
The ICBL prepared a media kit including a list of people available for interview, an outline of media and photo opportunities throughout the week and answers to topical questions. The ICBL worked very closely with the Nairobi Summit Communications Working Group and collaborated with individual organizations, particularly the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the ICRC, to share media-related information and contacts as part of a wider Nairobi Summit Communications Working Group.
The ICBL issued two press statements at the Summit: “Leaders urged: follow through on your commitments to a mine-free world” (26 November) and “Nairobi Summit: a springboard for action toward a mine-free world” (3 December).
Two highlights amongst the many Summit side events which attracted media interest were: the Survivors Summit and a meeting of the Nobel Laureate women prior to the Nobel Panel discussion. The Survivors Summit, held on 28 November 2004, gathered around 50 landmine survivors from around the world to discuss with States Parties representatives the subjects of victim assistance and other issues related to their rights. Survivors presented “calls” for action to governments, and countries asked survivors for recommendations on how to improve communications with the Treaty's Committee on Victim Assistance. Following the calls, eight survivors presented their commitments on the Treaty. A key issue raised was the importance of including landmine survivors on official delegations. All attendees signed the Survivor Summit Declaration, which was presented to the President of Kenya at the Opening Ceremony of the Nairobi Summit. Many journalists ran lead pieces on the Survivor Summit and carried individual interviews with landmine survivors organized by the Landmine Survivors Network.
The meeting of Nobel Laureate women took place on 1 December before a larger Nobel Peace Prize panel that evening, which also included the UN and the ICRC. At least two dozen journalists attended this meeting between Jody Williams, Shirin Ebadi (2003 Nobel prize winner and founder of a new Iranian campaign against mines) and Wangari Maathai (2004 winner for her work in Kenya with the Green Belt Movement).
1.4.3 Results
During the Nairobi Summit itself, the ICBL media team outlined five main goals for publicity activities and the rate of success in meeting these goals is calculated here. Overall an 85% success rate was achieved.
GOAL 1: “Every single country campaign/researcher present will have generated media in their country.”
Success rate: 72%
Countries represented by campaigners at the Summit: 88
Media generated in: 63 (probably many more as some campaigners did media back at home after the summit and did not report on it systematically)
GOAL 2: “Each international media house/wire will have covered at least two stories/photo opportunities, including: Al Jazeera, BBC, CNN, Radio France International, Voice of America, Agence France Press, Associated Press, EFE (Spanish), DPA (German), Xinhua (Chinese).”
Success rate: 84%
International houses/wires identified: 19
All but one source carried a story and many had extensive coverage.
GOAL 3: “The ICBL will have generated media coverage in each UN language (English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese).”
Success rate: 100%
Stories were also generated in many other languages including: Italian, Portuguese, and Swahili amongst others.
GOAL 4: “The ICBL will have generated media in donor countries regarding the need for further financial commitments in: Canada, Japan, Netherlands, Norway and United Kingdom.”
Success rate: about 85%
There were multiple stories in some countries, and at least one in the Netherlands.
GOAL 5: “The ICBL will have generated media in the following target countries, specifically: the Gulf States, key non-member states in Asia, the Commonwealth of Independent States/Former Soviet Union and the USA.”
Success rate: 85%
Stories were generated in all these regions/countries, including wide-spread coverage in the Gulf (e.g. Aljazeera, Alarabia, Alraia - Qatar, Alqabas - Kuwait and the Middle East Broadcasting Corporation).The level of coverage in Asia beyond a large number of Xinhua articles is not well known. There was good U.S. newswire coverage, but many U.S. newspapers limited their articles to the debate over the U.S. government’s decision not to attend the summit.
ICBL Delegation to the Conference
The ICBL delegation to the Summit included over 371 participants from 82 countries and 112 organisations, including more than 50 landmine survivors, all of whom actively participated in the work and the discussions during the Summit. Stephen Goose of Human Rights Watch led the delegation. The ICBL sponsored the participation of 67 campaigners.
The presence of more than 370 campaigners during the Summit proved to be an unprecedented opportunity for the ICBL to demonstrate its vitality and determination to ensure the success of the Summit. The campaigners were able to dialogue with governments about how to implement the Nairobi Action. The ICBL held an Orientation Meeting for the campaigners on 27 November 2004 during which priorities, messages, resources and tools were presented by ICBL staff and working group chairs. Every morning, ICBL daily briefings gave campaigners an opportunity to hear about one specific issue. The campaigners also reported on meetings they were planning or having with governments and shared their questions/concerns with the group.
The Kenya Coalition Against Landmines and other members NGOs present in Nairobi assisted the ICBL in the hosting of this impressive group. The Kenya Coalition used this opportunity to create awareness among local NGOs, and around 145 observers from various cities of Kenya came to the Summit.
ICBL Ambassadors
All three ICBL ambassadors participated actively in the Summit and its preparation, conducting numerous media interviews and participating in key media events. In 2004, Jody Williams took part in both meetings of the Intersessional Standing Committees and the Nairobi preparatory committee meetings in Geneva. She also spoke at the Landmine Monitor launches in Brussels and Geneva. She delivered a keynote intervention at the Opening of the Landmine Monitor global researchers meeting in Sarajevo and participated in a high level media trip to a demining site in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In Nairobi, she delivered statements at both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Summit, and helped organize and participate in a panel of Nobel Peace Laureates. She and 2003 Laureate Shirin Ebadi participated in Peacejam activities with Kenyan youth, along with ICBL youth participants at the Summit.
On 17 November, over 4,200 people came out to support the release of the Landmine Monitor Report 2004 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. ICBL Ambassadors Tun Channareth and Song Kosal greeted HRH Norodom Sihamoni. Cambodian campaigner Sok Eng served as master of ceremonies for the day, with ICBL Ambassador Tun Channareth addressing the crowd. In Nairobi, Song Kosal gave a strong and powerful testimony at the Opening Ceremony and participated in Peacejam and the Youth Summit. As representatives of "the public conscience," Song Kosal and Tun Chanareth also received a copy of the Nairobi Summit Declaration, signed by more than 100 States.
ICBL Actions During the NairobiSummit
Statements and Meetings
The ICBL played an active role in the Opening Ceremony, including statements by ICBL ambassadors Jody Williams and Song Kosal and testimonies from 17 survivors. During the Summit, the ICBL made a general statement to the plenary. It commented twice on the Review Document and different thematic representatives made statements on the draft Action Plan relative to mine action, mine risk education, victim assistance, and non state actors.
During the Conference, the ICBL presented two Statements on the Five-Year Review Document, five Statements on comments on the draft Action Plan, (two on Mine Action, one on Mine Risk Education, one on Victim Assistance and one on Non State Actors) as well as one global intervention. One Statement was also made during the High Level Segment.
ICBL members held formal meetings with 91 out of the 135 States present in Nairobi. 109 States Parties were present in Nairobi. ICBL formally met with 68 of them, in addition to numerous informal discussions held in corridors. Reports indicated that personal stories of survivors, comments on Landmine Monitor findings, and recent national developments were effective starting points for discussions. All aspects of the implementation of the Convention were raised during the meetings. A clear emphasis was placed on the need for better and comprehensive assistance for all survivors, including elementary needs such as strengthening support for and provision of prostheses, as well as provision of ambulance services. The need for programmes aiming at facilitating survivors’ reintegration into their society was also a core element of the discussions.
Survivors were particularly active in meeting delegations of their own countries on these issues, but also representative of donor countries, as well as various agencies working in these areas. Other particular issues raised included the need for inclusion of survivors in the work related to the overall implementation of the Convention and rights of persons with disabilities.
On mine action, campaigners emphasised the treaty obligation of mine affected countries to be mine free by the 10-year deadline. They also noted the need for more and sustained financial support to accelerate mine clearance and suggested ways to respond to it.
The need to ensure a complete ban on landmines was also an essential idea that ICBL campaigners emphasised. A series of discussions were held with delegations about their understanding of the definition of antipersonnel mines, and the problem of anti-vehicle mines that may function as antipersonnel mines.
ICBL members also reiterated the importance of information sharing to foster the spirit of cooperation and transparency, which proved to be key in the successful first phase of the implementation of the Convention. To do so, the publication by States Parties of comprehensive Article 7 reports, including the use of Form J to give additional information, was stressed. Last but not least, meeting reports also showed that ensuring 100% compliance with the stockpile destruction obligation is staying on the agenda of both NGOs and governments.
Finally, the necessity to engage armed non-state actors (NSA) in renouncing the use of antipersonnel mines, clearing areas under their control and assisting survivors was also discussed at length, as an echo of the inclusion of this issue in numerous official statements. ICBL members and delegations discussed the possibilities of working in countries where armed NSAs are using landmines.
Events, Briefings and Activities
ICBL and its member organizations organized a series of side events and briefings around the Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World in order to bring attention to the challenges and critical issues of the mine ban crisis and to propose various solutions.
They included:
· Briefings for delegates to the conference
· Landmine Monitor Report 2004 Release Event
· “The outcomes of the first meeting of Non-State Actors who have signed Geneva Call’s Deed of Commitment”
· “Right to Reparation and Compensation for Landmine Victims” - Handicap International
· “Blindness from landmines”
· “U.S. landmines policy following the presidential election” – U.S. Campaign
· “Mine action and Peace building” - PRIO
· “Best practices in socio-economic reintegration” - Handicap International
· Commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities - LSN
· Initial Global Screening of “Disarm: A Documentary Film on the Landmine Issue”
1.7.3 Specific events
Opening and Closing Ceremonies: the ICBL participated in the opening and closing ceremonies, led by the Kenyan Coalition Against Landmines and with participation of Jody Williams, Song Kosal, Tun Chanarreth and other ICBL members, plus testimonies and performance by 17 survivors.
Survivor Summit – 28 November
Nobel Laureates Panel Discussion – 1 December
International Youth Symposium – 25 November – 3 December 2004
Peace Jam
Workshop on “NSAs, Peace Processes, Human Security and the Anti-Landmines Campaign” 26 November
Awareness activities for all audiences
Interfaith Service – 28 November
10 km Race and “Mine Free World Walk” including massive participation of ICBL campaigners and landmines survivors - 27 November
Dancing without Fear Extravaganza – 2 December
Initial Global Screening of: Disarm: A Documentary Film on the Landmine Issue- 27 November
Exhibitions throughout the week including official launches,
“A Mined Earth” or “Terres Minées” (pictures)
Wanted: A Mine Free World (multimedia)
Sculptures by landmine survivor (arts)
Films on mine victims and assistance programs (in international schools, cultural centers etc. in Nairobi)
Conclusions for Nairobi
Overall, the ICBL was very pleased with the outcome of the summit. It met the ICBL’s primary goals, which included achieving reinforced political will and encouraging financial commitments to ensure that the treaty’s great promise turns into reality on the ground. The large quantity of high-level government participants and representatives from NGOs – including over 50 landmine survivors – was testament to the continued commitment to the landmine ban worldwide. The Action Plan and Nairobi Declaration were strong and comprehensive, numerous calls were made on states not parties to join and for non-state actors to be engaged, and states were encouraged to take it upon themselves to implement the treaty fully without waiting for pressure from NGOs.
At the same time, the ICBL was disappointed that the Action Plan was not reopened for discussion during the Summit for further strengthening. It was also disappointed that States Parties could not agree on fundamental issues of interpretation and implementation of the treaty, including what acts are banned under the prohibition on assistance in Article 1, what landmines are banned under Article 2, and what quantities of landmines are appropriate to retain under Article 3. ICBL would have also liked to have seen higher levels of funding committed to mine clearance and victim assistance. Some states’ reference to working by consensus and other indicators prompted fears that governments were trying to slip back into a pattern of “business as usual.” These are areas ICBL will continue to discuss with governments in the future.
