The ICBL issued an action alert on 2 July 2002, which targets the following 12 Mine Ban Treaty signatories and non-signatories, urging their speedy ratification or accession to the Mine Ban Treaty: Afghanistan, Burundi, Cameroon, Cyprus, Ethiopia, East Timor, Gambia, Greece, Guyana, Turkey, São Tomé e Principe and Yugoslavia. To read the full action alert click here.
Youth campaigners are encouraged to focus their efforts on Yugoslavia. Use creative actions to make your voice heard and show the government that young people around the world want Yugoslavia to join the Mine Ban Treaty!
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1. HOW TO GET INVOLVED
2. BACKGROUND
3. ACTION IDEAS
4. CONTACTS
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1. HOW TO GET INVOLVED
* Educate yourself about the landmine situation in Yugoslavia by reading the 2001 Landmine Monitor Report on Yugoslavia at http://www.icbl.org/lm/2001/yugoslavia
* Learn more about mine ban policy in Yugoslavia by reading the information in this action alert.
* Read through the list of possible actions to take. Choose one of these actions or create your own!
* Take action! If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact Jackie Hansen, ICBL at
jackie@icbl.org
* Let us know how your actions went. Please send copies of any government responses to the ICBL. Let others know about your actions by writing a short article for the ICBL Youth Action Forum website and sending it to Jackie Hansen at jackie@icbl.org
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2. BACKGROUND
After the government decided on 20 April 2001 to join the Mine Ban Treaty, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched preparations for accession. In April 2002 the Ministry said that the legislative proposal had been approved and was awaiting the agreement of the Ministry of Finance before being forwarded to the Federal Assembly for adoption. There are indications that there may be resistance to accession within the Yugoslav Army General Staff. Yugoslavia is a mine-affected country.
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3. ACTION IDEAS
MAIL YOUR MESSAGE!
* Design drawings, banners, peace symbols and other creative art expressions themed around landmines.
* Create colorful postcards with landmine-ban messages.
* Write letters urging Yugoslavia to join the Mine Ban Treaty. Click here for more
information about how to write letters to decision makers.
* Collect petition signatures calling on Yugoslavia to join the Mine Ban Treaty. For more information about collecting petition signaturesn click here.
* Send one shoe to the Yugoslav government with a message stating that limbs and lives are lost to landmines every day- ban landmines in Yugoslavia!
MEET!
* Contact members of the Yugoslav community where you live and encourage them to urge their government to join the Mine Ban Treaty.
* Contact your local Yugoslav embassy and request a meeting. Bring a group of youth to the embassy and let the embassy officials know why their government should ban landmines. Click here for information on organizing lobby meetings.
* Spread the word in your community. Organize tables and displays at community events, youth camps and shopping centers. Publish articles in your local newspapers and newsletters about Yugoslavia and landmines. Encourage others to take action and encourage Yugoslavia to join the Mine
Ban Treaty.
DEMONSTRATE!
* Organize a peaceful, non-violent vigil outside your local Yugoslav embassy. Click here for more information about organizing vigils.
* Organize a march and demonstrate outside the Embassy of Yugoslavia in your area. Click here for
information about organizing marches and click here for
information about how to organize a picketing action.
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4. CONTACTS
EMBASSIES: Click here to locate the nearest Embassy of Yugoslavia.
PRESIDENT:
His Excellency Mr Kostunica
President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Kneza Milosa
Belgrade
Yugoslavia
Fax: + 381 11 301 5055
Email vojislav.kostunica@gov.yu
PRIME MINISTER:
The Honourable Mr Dragisa Pesic
Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Belgrade
Yugoslavia
Fax: + 381 11 637 185
CHIEF OF STAFF:
The Honourable Mr Krga Branko
Chief of Staff of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Kneza Milosa
Belgrade
Yugoslavia
Fax: + 381 11 361 6179
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