ban newsletter 24

8/7/2019 Ban Newsletter 24

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ISSUE 24

APRIL 2009

Today I am 17 years old, I donot want to wait years until Iam an old man to receiveassistance in my community orto be able to get a job.

IN THIS ISSUE:

P 1 EDITORIAL IN THIS ISSUE

P 2 SIGNATURE OF THE

CONVENTION ON

CLUSTER MUNITIONS IN

OSLO

P 5 COMMITMENTS TO

IMPLEMENT THE

CONVENTION ON

CLUSTER MUNITIONS

P 10 OPPORTUNITIES AND

CHALLENGES ON

CLUSTER MUNITIONS

P 13 VICTIM ASSISTANCE

IMPLEMENTATION: SOWHAT?

P 14 LANDMINE USE AND

VIOLATIONS OF THE

MINE BAN TREATY

P 15 MINE CLEARANCE

DEADLINES:15EXTENSIONS!

CONVENTION ON THERIGHTS OF PERSONS

WITH DISABILITIES

AWARDS RECENT ARTICLES,PUBLICATIONS AND

WEBSITES

P 16 PROVISIONAL

CALENDAR

LIST OFCONTRIBUTORS

EDITORIAL

We are proud of this treaty, said the Ban Advocates during thesignature in Oslo of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and particularlyof the victim assistance provisions. You all have made a difficult decision,but it is the right decision. On behalf of all survivors, we stand here to thankyou, to thank each and all of you, who have made this treaty a reality.

The new treaty owes much to the leadership of a group of states ledby Norway and to the commitment of an ever-growing group of individualscoming from very diverse backgrounds. But states must continue theirefforts in order to ensure that affected communities truly benefit from the

treaty. We believe Article 5 will make a realchange in our lives, said Soraj Ghulam Habib, aBan Advocate from Afghanistan. Today I am 17years old, I do not want to wait years until I am anold man to receive assistance in my community orto be able to get a job. People who are injured bycluster bombs should be able to receive emergency

assistance and not be left to die in a hospital like I was until my father savedme.

Those working hard to improve the lives of survivors, their familiesand communities will have another milestone to work towards in 2009. InDecember 2009, those states party to the Mine Ban Treay will reaffirm theircommitment to the improvement of the lives of the hundreds of thousands oflandmine and explosive remnants of war survivors at the Second ReviewConference of the treaty.

When looking at the groundbreaking provisions of the Conventionon Cluster Munitions, now is the time for the Mine Ban Treaty to step up tothe challenge and do even better. This can be done by creating an actionplan for 2009-2014 with a strong victim assistance component. In short thiswould mean increased inclusion of survivors, their families and communitiesin the making of this action plan. They know their needs best, after all. But

the new plan should also attach equal importance to all components ofvictim assistance, accessibility and rights issues. It should also be moreaction-oriented. Because in the past five years we have seen that greatprogress has been made in planning victim assistance, but it can be fearedthat the lives of many survivors have not improved. Unfortunately, we havehad to launch our own investigation into this, as many states still do notreport routinely on what the real effects of their actions have been on thelives of survivors, their families and communities. We urge them to take thenew reporting requirements of the Convention on Cluster Munitions to heartand also do better in the Mine Ban Treaty context in the next five years.

BAN NEWSLETTERNewsletter on Landmines & Cluster Munitions

Founding Member of the ICBL,

Nobel Peace Prize Co-Laureate


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Norways bold vision, leadership andpersistence set the process in motion andprovided the crucial support necessary tobring this treaty into a reality.

Tunisia signed on 12 Januaryand DR Congo on 18 March2009. Five states alreadyratified the new treaty:Norway, the Holy See, Ireland,Sierra Leone and Lao PDR.

SIGNATURE OF THE CONVENTION ON CLUSTER MUNITIONS IN OSLO

On 3 and 4 December 2008, 94 states1

signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM)in Oslo. In addition, 29 states attended the Oslo Signing Ceremony but did not sign the CCM.

2The

UN Secretary General stated that, the conclusion of this Convention indicates a significant andfundamental change in the position of many governments that, until recently, regarded clustermunitions as essential to their security policies and military doctrines.

3The Norwegian Prime

Minister said: The Convention places a moral obligation on all states not to use cluster munitions.Joining the international community in commending Norway, the Philippine Ambassador said

that it was Norways bold vision, leadership and persistence that set the process in motion andprovided the crucial support necessary to bring this treaty into a reality. The Irish Justice (former

Foreign) Minister recalled the journey to Oslo andunderlined two particularly significant elements: Firstly, thespeed of the process from start to finish. There was ofcourse a long gestation, but once Norway took the initiative,negotiations were completed in little over a year and the

way we worked marks a new way of achieving our goals. A core group of committed States, flankedby a much greater number of sympathetic States, worked closely with civil society and internationalorganizations to bring about a comprehensive humanitarian treaty. The cross-fertilization, stimulationand mutual respect enriched and sustained the process.

Three of the states most affected by cluster munitions signed:

Afghanistan, Lao PDR and Lebanon. Three user states, 14 states that haveproduced and 33 states that have stockpiled cluster munitions signed theCCM. Of the 28 NATO Member states, all signed except Estonia, Greece,Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Turkey, and the United States.

4

Countries such as Bangladesh, Iraq, Nigeria and Sudan stated that theywould sign the CCM as soon as possible. Tunisia signed in New York on12 January and DR Congo on 18 March.

The CCM will enter into force six months after 30 states have deposited their instruments ofratification with the UN Secretary General. As of 20 March 2009, five states had already ratified theCCM: the Holy See, Ireland, Lao PDR, Norway and Sierra Leone. About 20 signatory statesannounced that they would ratify the convention within a short time. The Lebanese Foreign Ministersaid that he sincerely hoped that this convention would be signed and ratified as soon as possible

1

Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria,Burkina Faso, Burundi, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Rep), CookIslands, Costa Rica, Cte d`Ivoire, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, France, Gambia, Germany,Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya,Lao PDR, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia (FYR), Madagascar , Malawi, Mali,Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger,Norway, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Rwanda, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tom and Principe,Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, UnitedKingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay, Zambia.2

Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, DR Congo, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland,Georgia, Greece, Iraq, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Moldova, Nigeria, Poland, Qatar, Serbia, Slovakia, Sudan, Swaziland,Thailand, Timor Leste, Turkey, Ukraine and Vietnam.3

For this message and all statements referred to, see www.osloccm.no4

Email from Mary Wareham, Human Rights Watch, 19 January 2009.


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as no time should be wasted in getting this instrument into effect. Who knows as we speak, ifsomeone, somewhere, maybe in Lebanon, might be losing his life or a limb because of thesehorrendous weapons. The Cluster Munition Coalition pointed out: The sooner we get 30ratifications, the sooner the treaty saves lives.

Victim Assistance fundamental for the Convention as a wholeThe Holy See stressed that Respect and a correct interpretation of Article 5 [on Victim

Assistance] are fundamental for the implementation of the Convention as a whole. To this endresponsibility is collective. But the role of the state is primordial. It is his task to develop a legislativeand political framework in which all public or private actors can fully play their role. (..) The first actorshould be the victims themselves. The Foreign Minister of Croatia stated that for many, manypeople who will never be present in these rooms, the use of cluster munitions is a matter of life anddeath theirs, their childrens and their grandchildrens life and death, we have tried to write the bestpossible Convention that we could agree on. That is why Croatia has consistently supported thestrong language on victim assistance, the principle of non discriminations and the necessity ofnational implementation.

Afghanistan signs as a tribute to the victims of cluster munitionsThe most dramatic moment of the conference came when Afghanistan unexpectedly

announced that their President approved instructions to sign the CCM. Afghanistan thanked themany Afghans

5whose efforts and activism lead the President to take the decision () to sign in Oslo

today and explained why he changed the principled position that it hadmaintained as a reflection of Afghanistans current situation. We areeffectively at war and any disarmament measure at a time of war requires verycautious treatment. Meanwhile, Afghanistan remains one of the worst affectednations by war and weapons, including cluster munitions. And it is this veryreality, and the recognition of the plight of the thousands of victims of clustermunitions in my country that has resulted in President Karzais decision today.

This decision is, above all, a tribute to the victims of cluster munitions in Afghanistan and around theworld. He looked also at the regional situation and said: Like many nations present here today, wein Afghanistan aspire to a world that is free of arms and munitions. Belonging to a region that suffersfrom a dangerous over-armament, we consider it in our vital security and national interest.

Cluster Munitions: no place in the 21st century and beyondThe Interior Minister of the Gambia stated that, it would be extremely difficult for a state not

party to the convention to fund a legal source of these weapons should it choose to do so. South

Africa called on those States that choose not to join us in signing this Convention, to effectively doaway with all cluster munitions. The Indonesian Defense Minister added, We can succeed instigmatizing any future use of cluster munitions. And all of humankind will recognize clustermunitions for what they really are: cruel, inhumane, and ultimately ineffective. The president ofSierra Leone called on all well meaning states to consider the issues put forward by those who havesuffered because of cluster munitions, () we should accept that these cluster munitions have noplace in the twenty first century and beyond.

Implementation: measure of success of the ConventionThe Defense Minister of Tanzania reminded delegates that the success of the Convention

will not be measured by the number of signatories or ratifying States, but rather on the degree ofimplementation of all its provisions. The Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria

6added that The

determination must not stop here, it should start here as the length of the road from Oslo to theaffected areas and persons depends on all of us. The Indonesian Defense Minister described treaty

implementation as a long journey ahead in which we need to invest time, energy and resources.The Philippines stressed that national implementation applies to the whole range of legal,administrative and other measures, such as changes in military doctrine and operating proceduresand notification of organizations involved in arms development, production and transfer.

Burkina Faso asked for an Action Plan, which could be the instrument to fully and efficientlyimplement the CCM. The Deputy Prime Minister of Lao PDR urged all states to deploy greater

5Afghanistans decision resulted from extensive efforts by Ban Advocates Soraj Ghulam Habib and Suliman Safdar, as well

as Firoz Alizada from the ICBL. See also www.stopclustermunitions.org/media/press-releases/?id=10686

In Septembre 2008, Bulgaria hosted a Regional Conference attended by 10 governments from South-East Europe. Seewww.stopclustermunitions.org/news/?id=704

President Karzais decisionis, above all, a tribute to thevictims of cluster munitionsin Afghanistan and aroundthe world.


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effort to ensure that the CCM becomes effective as soon as possible andannounced that Lao PDR would stand ready to host the First Meeting of StatesParties of the CCM. The Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg stated that Through its ratificationact, Luxembourg will also prohibit investments in cluster munitions and called on other countries tojoin in this initiative.

Sub Saharan Africa: a truly cluster munitions free continentThe President of Sierra Leone stated, Coming from a country that has seen the bitterness of

war and the devastating effects of cluster munitions, we support the African position that wasreached in Livingstone in March7 and the subsequent declaration in Kampala inSeptember

8this year. As one of the African countries affected by cluster

munitions, Chad explained the presence of UXO is synonym to daily andpermanent danger for the population and constitutes a brake to humanitarianand socio-economical development activities in the affected region. It constitutes

an obstacle to free circulation, access to pasture land, to water points, roads and economic hubs.According to the Kenyan Deputy Foreign Minister conflicts in Africa provide re-entry ground for theproliferation of all kinds of weapons including cluster munitions. The Defense Minister of SouthAfrica hoped that we will one day soon be able to call Africa a truly cluster munitions free continent.The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mozambique stated: The CCM willsuccessfully foil a disaster like the one caused by the landmines from unfolding again and addedthat the right to live without cluster munitions is a human right. The Japanese Foreign Ministermentioned his own visit to the Thai-Cambodian border and said, The visit made me realize theimportance of cooperation at the grassroots level. The Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) promisedto work with energy and constant determination to bring more States into the treaty, to secureratifications, and ensure full implementation and to monitor this convention with rigor, vigilance andglobal reach.

The indomitable spirit of the Ban AdvocatesIn his opening speech, the Norwegian Prime Minister said, With courage and conviction,

Branislav and others who suffered the same cruel fateturned their experience intoaction. We will be indebted tothese brave men and womenforever. For their relentlessefforts in transforming our dreamof banning these weapons into

the reality of the convention weare signing today. The IrishJustice Minister added, Theindomitable spirit of the BanAdvocates, overcoming terribleinjuries to bear witness to thehorrors of cluster munitions

inspired us throughout. Echoing his Irish colleague, the Belgian Foreign Minister said, Theircommitment has been a constant source of inspiration and remains vital for the promotion andimplementation of our new treaty.

At the end of the conference, three members of the Ban Advocates team delivered a jointstatement that received a standing ovation. Berihu Mesele began by thanking each and all of you,who have made this treaty a reality. Dusica Vuckovic then described the victim assistanceprovisions of the new treaty as invaluable to me as a wife of a cluster munition survivor and to my

children. I am sure these provisions will be invaluable to thousands of other families since afterratification and full implementation they will bring the safety and dignity which is necessary in ourdaily lives. Soraj Ghulam Habib then concluded the statement by calling on countries to developvictim assistance national plans and budgets, including timeframes; to designate a victim assistancefocal point; to start collecting data and take steps to mobilize resources. We ask you to keep yourpromise. We, the Ban Advocates, are ready to work with you from tomorrow.

7See www.stopclustermunitions.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/report-on-livingston-conference-31-march-1-april.pdf

842 African states attended the Kampala Regional Conference on Cluster Munitions. For more information, see

www.clustermunitionskampala.ug and www.stopclustermunitions.org/news/?id=827

Lao PDR stands ready tohost the First Meeting ofStates Parties.

"We need countries todevelop victim assistancenational plans and budgets,including timeframes; todesignate a VA focal point;

to start collecting data andtake steps to mobilizeresources. We ask you tokeep your promise. We, theBan Advocates, are readyto work with you fromtomorrow.

Through its ratificationact, Luxembourg will alsoprohibit investments incluster munitions.


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More information on the signature of the CCM:- Ban Advocates blog: www.banadvocates.org- Cluster Munition Coalition: www.stopclustermunitions.org- Convention on Cluster Munitions: www.clusterconvention.org- ICBL: www.icbl.org- ICRC: www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/section-ihl-cluster-munition- Oslo Signing Conference: www.osloccm.no- You Tube: www.youtube.com/user/CMCInternational

COMMITMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE CONVENTION ON CLUSTER MUNITIONS9

The Foreign Minister of Albania said, we are optimistic that we shall succeed in clearing theremaining and unexploded cluster munitions much earlier than the deadlines set in the Convention.The ratification process of Albania should be completed in the beginning of 2009.

10The Foreign

Minister of Australia stated, Australia is working in our region to make thehumanitarian goals of the Convention a reality, through our five-year MineAction Strategy, which is backed up by a $75 million pledge. Austria statedthat it is one priority of the new government to ratify the CCM as soon aspossible and to make the best contribution in the implementation phase.According to the national law banning cluster munitions, which entered intoforce in early 2008, Austria will destroy all its stocks of cluster munitions within3 years. A number of projects to clear cluster munitions in Lebanon, Jordan

and Western Sahara were co-financed with Austrian funds.11 The Foreign Minister of Belgium statedthat Belgium will start the ratification procedures without delay while it is already implementing itsprovisions. Belgiums stockpile destruction should be finalized in the first half of 2009. The Foreign

Minister also announced that Princess Astrid of Belgium pledged topatronize the victim assistance action plan that Belgium intends tolaunch and that special efforts will be devoted to gradually increase thenumber of signatories and to the universalisation of the humanitariannorm. The Belgian House of Representatives questioned the ForeignMinister on the Convention on Cluster munitions on 22 October 2008.

12

On 18 March, Belgium stated, We have () submitted for considerationof the States parties to the Statute of the International Criminal Court anamendement aiming at the inclusion of the use of cluster munitions, asprohibited by the Convention, in the list of war crimes.

13Bolivia pledged

to ratify the CCM in a very short notice. The Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina

expressed his support for the victim assistance provisions in a press release and stressed thatinnocent victims should be enabled to integrate fully in society and economic environment.

14

Botswana described the CCM as the first ever treaty to include very strong provisions on victimassistance, thus putting the people first, adding that it is in this spirit that his government cherishesthe hope that the other parallel process on this subject, such as negotiations ongoing under [theCCW], would not have the import of undermining the strength and purpose of this Convention.Burkina Faso and Burundi and Canada declared that they would soon ratify the CCM.

9This section is largely based on statements delivered during the Oslo Signing Conference. Handicap International Belgium

welcomes comments or corrections. Most statements can be found on: www.osloccm.no. For an update on signatories,see http://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&id=22&chapter=26&lang=en10

Email from the Mission of Albania to the EU, Brussels, 7 January 2009.11

For more information see www.bmeia.gv.at/en/austrian-mission/geneva/the-mission/issues-and-responsibilities/the-mission.html12

See www.dekamer.be/doc/ccri/pdf/51/ic1077.pdf (in French and Dutch)13

Email from Pierre Cartuyvels, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Belgium to the UN, 19 March 2009.14

See www.mfa.gov.ba/HTML/Arhiva/Eng/S_1208/S041208_B.html

We shall succeed inclearing the remainingand unexploded clustermunitions much earlierthan the deadlines set inthe Convention.

Belgium submitted forconsideration of the Statesparties to the Statute of theInternational Criminal Court anamendement aiming at theinclusion of the use of clustermunitions in the list of warcrimes.


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Canada stated that it is in the process of destroying what remains of our existing stock and addedthat Canada has been supporting the clearance of cluster munitions and other ERW within our

programmes established to address anti-personnel mines. Canada willcontinue to do so with vigour.

15The Central African Republic stated that

the ratification process will be concluded as quickly as possible. Chad saidthat The elimination of unexploded ordnance is today a preliminary to theimplementation of many development projects in Chad. Chile committeditself to ratify the CCM soon and to promote the implementation of the CCMwithin the Latin American region. Chile also offered to organize a regionalmeeting, which could give incentives and dynamism to the ratificationprocess. Colombia declared that it will destroy its cluster munitions. DR

Congo signed the CCM in New York on 18 March 2009. The Republic of Congo said thatmeasures will be taken for the ratification of the CCM within a reasonable timeframe, inviting otherstates to do the same. The Foreign Minister of Cook Islands signed the CCM. The Foreign Ministerof Croatia stated that his country will begin already tomorrow the parliamentary process of itsratification. The Defense Minister of the Czech Republic wrote in a letter that he will personallyfollow the internal procedures in order to speed up the ratification process. 16Denmark said, weshould spare no effort to convince those absent friends that they must join an internationalagreement on cluster munitions either by joining the CCM or by building on the political momentumand come to an agreement within the UN which could attract the participation of the larger user andproducer countries. El Salvador committed to continue with more brio, force and thrust the task ithas undertaken. In November 2008, the European Commission stated that its efforts in support ofthe Mine Ban Treaty will be coupled by support for the CCM, remembering the importance ofreducing the socio-economic impact of mines and other weapons on victims.

17In a press release

issued on 4 December the European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighborhood Policycalled on all countries to swiftly sign and ratify this important convention so it can enter into force.

18

The European Parliament adopted on 20 November 2008 a resolution calling on all EU members to"sign, ratify and implement the CCM at the earliest opportunity," and to take steps towardimplementation "even before it is signed and ratified." The resolution was adopted with 471 votes infavor, 6 against and 21 abstentions.

19Member States are also requested to refrain from taking action

"which might circumvent or jeopardise the CCM and its provisions." Inparticular, the Parliament calls on all EU members "not to adopt, endorse orsubsequently ratify a possible Convention on Conventional Weapons(CCW) Protocol allowing for the use of cluster munitions which would not becompatible with the prohibition of such munitions pursuant to Articles 1 and2 of the CCM.

20The author of the resolution said on 19 November, We

unanimously condemn the unbelievable attempt by the USA, Russia andChina at the last Geneva conference to legalise cluster munitions within theCCW. () Our resolution will act as a call to the Commmission to makemore funding significantly more funding available to protect people inthe contaminated areas and to remove the cluster munitions. During thedebate EU countries were urged to sign the CCM, in particular Cyprus,Estonia, Finland, Greece, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as wellas EU applicants Serbia and Turkey. The Foreign Minister of France declared in an unscriptedspeech that he will urge the new United States president to sign the treaty. The Interior Minister ofthe Gambia stated that stockpile destruction should be a pillar of action that requires continuesvigilance, focus and support.

15For more information, see www.international.gc.ca/mines/support/after_fund-suite-fond.aspx?lang=eng

16Email from Judith Majlath, CMC Austria, 2 September 2008.

179

thMeeting of States Parties to the MBT, see www.apminebanconvention.org/en/meetings-of-the-states-parties/9msp/

18See http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/news/2008_en.htm?Page=6

19Result of the vote can be found on www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-

//EP//NONSGML+PV+20081120+RES-RCV+DOC+PDF+V0//EN&language=EN20

See www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/031-42234-322-11-47-903-20081117IPR42231-17-11-2008-2008-false/default_en.htm

Canada has beensupporting the clearance ofcluster munitions and otherERW within our programmesestablished to address anti-

personnel mines. Canada willcontinue to do so withvigour.

The European Parliament callson all EU members "not toadopt, endorse orsubsequently ratify a possibleConvention on Conventional

Weapons Protocol allowing forthe use of cluster munitionswhich would not be compatiblewith the prohibition of suchmunitions pursuant to Articles1 and 2 of the CCM.


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On 11 November 2008, the Parliament of Germany urged the government to give other statesaccess to appropriate capacities in German industry, where resourcespermit, for the destruction and disposal of cluster munitions; and toincrease the funds earmarked in the Federal budget for international victimassistance and mine clearance in harmony with the other treaty states.

21

On 3 December in Oslo, the German Foreign Minister said that his countrydecided with immediate effect to remove cluster munitions from theGerman armed forces' stockpiles and to destroy them. And in the comingyear Germany will make 2 million Euro available specifically for the removalof cluster munitions in other countries and for victim assistanceprogrammes.

22The Minister of State of Ghana ensured that his country

sets the necessary processes in place to ratify the CCM as soon aspracticable after the elections. Guatemala stressed the importance ofvictim assistance and international cooperation and assistance. Guinea

stated that it is determined to take all needed measures for the quick transcription of all provisionsinto national legislation. Guinea-Bissau said that the war had left UXO on its territory, among which[are] cluster munitions, and declared that the new government will submit the CCM to theParliament within the shortest time for approval and later ratification by the President of theRepublic. The Holy See signed and ratified the CCM on 3 December 2008 and stated that in orderto give a powerful political sign, the Holy See wanted to ratify this Convention on the signing day.() We also want to send a call to all countries, in particular the producing, exporting and potentialusers of cluster munitions to join the present signatories. Honduras hailed the Spirit of Oslo as aspirit of respect and defense of all human rights, including the right to life. The Foreign Minister of Hungary stated that the success of peacekeeping operations, as well as the safety of theparticipating military personnel called for an arrangement in this Convention enabling us to conductjoint operations in an effective manner and welcomed the fact that an appropriate provision hadbeen worked out for the Convention. The Foreign Minister of Iceland said that it has used itsexperience to carry out de-mining operations in areas affected by cluster munitions, most recently inLebanon this year and that it will certainly continue to assist affected countries in clearing clustermunitions infested areas. As a significant producer of prosthetics, Iceland will also continue to assistvictims. The Defense Minister of Indonesia stated that his country was committed to engage ininternational cooperation and to look forward to the early entry into force and subsequentuniversalisation of this Convention. The Justice Minister of Ireland announced that Ireland willtoday deposit its Instrument of Ratification with the UN Secretary General.

23The Irish Minister for

Overseas Development announced in March 2008 that Irish Aid will provide over 1.8 million forhumanitarian mine clearance in Afghanistan, Angola and Somalia.

24 Italy said that since 2006, it

provided 3 million euros for the UN cluster munitions clearance activities inLebanon and committed to an early ratification, support for the universalisationprocess and renewed efforts in mine action and victim assistance. The ForeignMinister of Japan stated that it has given assistance to 38 countries since 1998,and will continue to do so. Japan contributes to the clearance of UXO incountries that are affected by cluster munitions, including Lebanon, Lao PDR,Cambodia and Afghanistan. This assistance is expected to amount to aroundseven million US dollars, he said. Kenya recognized that this process hasgiven fresh impetus to multilateral diplomacy. Lao PDR pledged to do itsutmost to ensure early ratification and implementation [of the Convention]. TheDeputy Prime Minister said, During the period between 1964 and 1973, morethan 580,000 US bombing missions were carried out over the country, droppingover two million tons of bombs. These included 270 million submunitions () of which 30% failed toexplode on impact and submunitions alone accounted for 80 million, scattered over the country as

UXO. More than 87,000 square kilometers of land, or 37% of the country surface, are contaminated,

21German Bundestag, Motion requiring swift ratification and translation into international law of a convention banning cluster

munitions of any kind, Agreed draft dated 11 November 2008; email from Thomas Kchenmeister, AktionsbndnisLandmine.de, 19 December 2008. Original text in German available onhttp://dip21.bundestag.de/dip21/btd/16/112/1611216.pdf22

See www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/en/Infoservice/Presse/Reden/2008/081203-BM-Streumunition.html23

See www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=7541624

See www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=43559

We decided with immediateeffect to remove clustermunitions from the Germanarmed forces' stockpiles andto destroy them. And in thecoming year Germany will

make 2 million Euroavailable specifically for theremoval of cluster munitionsin other countries and forvictim assistanceprogrammes.

During the period between1964 and 1973, more than580,000 US bombingmissions were carried outover the country, droppingover two million tons ofbombs. These included 270million submunitions () ofwhich 30% failed to explodeon impact.


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of which over 12,000 square kilometers are considered as highly affected. Referring to an ongoingnationwide survey, he declared that there have been 37,000 casualty reports received by the end ofSeptember 2008 from 7,000 of the 10,000 villages in the country, with an average up to 300 a yearover the past decade. It is estimated that, once the survey is completed, there would be about50,000 casualties. Concerning clearance operations, he declared that even with the internationalassistance, over the past decade our roving and clearance operation teams have only clearedapproximately 130 square kilometers or about 0.2% of the UXO contaminated area in the country,about 815,000 UXOs, including 381,013 cluster submunitions () were destroyed. He concluded bysaying that implementing the new Convention will be a significant challenge for the Lao PDR, whichcannot be taken up without sustained and increased financial support from the internationalcommunity. Lao PDR pledged that it will try, in the near future andwithin the limits of its capacities, to increase its financial contribution tothe activities of the UXO Sector. The Foreign Minister of Lebanoncalled for the broadest possible international support for the clearanceoperations taking place in South Lebanon. The Deputy Minister forLegal Affairs of Liberia praised signatory countries as countries ofconscience. The Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg said that hiscountry has already taken measures in order to be among the 30 firstsignatories of the CCM. On 19 December 2008 the Council of Ministersof Luxembourg introduced a bill that prohibits investments in clustermunitions.

25The FYR of Macedonia assured a quick ratification of the

CCM. The Foreign Minister of Madagascar committed to ratify the CCM within the shortest time andunderlined that the article on interoperability should not constitute an obstacle for states signing theCCM, rather it would encourage others to stop the use and transfer of cluster munitions. The ForeignMinister of Malawi said that Malawi fully supports and subscribes to the tenets of the conventionsand its full implementation and called for a conference to map the way forward. Mali committed tostart the ratification process within the next parliamentary session. In Mexico, the Senate adopted on11 March a decree to ratify the CCM.

26Having in mind that in the recent past certain areas of the

Montenegrin territory were affected by the use of cluster munitons the Foreign Minister ofMontenegro said, it was equally important for us to establish cooperation in clearance and victimassistance and committed to be a reliable partner in the implementation of the basic principles ofthe Convention. Mozambique stated that by signing the CCM we are particularly responding to ourdevelopment needs. The Foreign Minister of the Netherlands stated that his country contributed 20million Euros to the clearance and destruction of ERW in 2008 and announced that it intends tomaintain this level of support. In a letter to the House of Representatives on 4 September 2008 theForeign Minister wrote that the Netherlands contributes a minimum of 13.6 million yearly.

27The

Netherlands has begun destroying its cluster munition stocks and will start the process of ratifyingthe Convention right after the signing ceremony, he said. New Zealand welcomed the active roleplayed by civil society in drawing attention to the concerns posed by the use of cluster munitions.

The constructive relationship we have built demonstrates what isachievable when we work together. This partnership, for example in thearea of victim assistance, must continue as we move into theimplementation phase of our work. Norway, which hosted the SigningCeremony, signed and ratified the CCM on 3 December. The NorwegianDefense Minister marked the start of the process to destroy clustermunitions on 28 October and said that all cluster munitions should bedestroyed as soon as possible.

28On 30 January 2009, the Finance Minister

of Norway excluded the American company Textron Inc. Corporation fromthe Government Pension Fund Global because it produces clusterweapons, which are banned pursuant to the Convention on Cluster

Munitions.29Panama assured a quick ratification of the CCM.The Philippines said that the CCM should promote and protect the human rights of its migrants andpeacekeepers present in conflict zones as well as those victims in the severely affected memberstates in the ASEAN and expressed the will to guarantee their access to assistance when needed,

25See www.gouvernement.lu/salle_presse/conseils_de_gouvernement/2008/12-decembre/19-

conseil/index.html?SID=02aabb0c3993f61d9a1a405344d5d9be#426

See www.senado.gob.mx/gace.php?sesion=2009/03/11/1&documento=3127

See www.minbuza.nl/nl/search/simple?page=2&query=clustermunitie28

See www.npaid.org/?module=Articles;action=Article.publicShow;ID=695829

See www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/fin/press-center/Press-releases/2009/cluster-weapons-manufacturer-excluded-fr.html?id=543105

The constructive relationshipwe have built demonstrateswhat is achievable when wework together. Thispartnership, for example in thearea of victim assistance,must continue as we moveinto the implementation phaseof our work.

The Finance Minister ofNorway excluded theAmerican company TextronInc. Corporation from theGovernment Pension Fund Global because itproduces cluster weapons,which are banned pursuantto the Convention onCluster Munitions.


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and to be able to live full and active lives. Samoa called on all states to implement thisConvention. The Defense Minister of Sao Tom and Principe said it aimed to complete theratification process as fast as possible. Senegal promised to start the ratification process withoutdelay. Sierra Leone signed and ratified the CCM on 3 December 2008. The Foreign Minister ofSlovenia firmly committed to supporting the clearance of cluster munitions remnants in South-

Eastern Europa and to ensuring cluster munitions victims assistanceand rehabilitation.The Defense Minister of South Africa admitted: As acountry that used to produce and stockpile cluster munitions (...), we havecome to the belief that these weapons have not only become obsolete asweapons of modern warfare, but that their recent use in conflicts haveshown them to cause unacceptable harm to cilivians, long after thecessation of active hostilities. He announced that a relatively smallstockpile of outdated cluster munitons () have been earmarked fordestruction. He called the ratification a matter of priority and mentionedthe support of some African countries with the clearance of mines. In abriefing on 5 December 2008 he said that South Africa is committed tomake its expertise available to countries that require assistance in theclearance of mines and concluded by commending those South African

organs of civil society, especially the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and The CeasefireCampaign for the role they played in the international campaign to ban cluster bombs.

30On 17 July

2008, the Defense Minister of Spain presented her policy to implement the CCMto the Spanish Parliament. She began her presentation by telling the story ofSoraj Ghulam Habib, a Ban Advocate from Afghanistan. She also announced that4.4 million would be spent on victim assistance in 2008.

31The Foreign Minister

of Spain stated that the government established in July 2008 a unilateralmoratorium on the use, development, production, acquisition, stockpiling,conservation and transfer of cluster munitions and is committed to start as soonas possible the destruction of stockpiled munitions. The Ministry of Defense announced on 18 Marchthat the entire cluster munition stockpile had been destroyed.32Sweden stated that it will continueits far-reaching efforts, nationally and through the European Union, to support victims of explosiveremnants of war. Switzerland committed to do everything in its power in order to bring theratification process quickly to a conclusion. The Defense Minister of Tanzania pledged to do his parton the task of domesticating and implementing the Convention. Tunisia signed the CCM in NewYork on 12 January 2009. The Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom stated on 3 December,Since the 30

thof May we in the UK have been destroying our cluster munitions one by one. The

Prime Minister wrote on 28 October 2008 that the Armed Forces have ceased to use the two cluster

munitions that the UK retained, the M85 and CRV-7 Multi Purpose Sub Munitions/M73, and put theminto a destruction programme. Also, under the new export control regulations introduced this monthall cluster munitions have been classified as Category A goods, making them subject to the moststringent level of trade controls.

33The UK Government amended its Trade Control legislation to

prevent UK persons (both individual nationals and companies), anywhere in the world, fromtrafficking or brokering cluster munitions as defined in the CCM.

34On 26 November 2008 the United

Kingdom stated that it contributes around 10 million to clearance operations in mine-affectedcountries and confirmed that it has decided to maintain current levels of funding for a further 3 yearsuntil 2013, adding that over the next 4 years the UK will continue this effort.

35

30See www.info.gov.za/speeches/2008/08120810451004.htm

31Cortes Generales, Ano 2008, IX Legislatura, Num. 58, Sesion num. 4, 17 de Julio de 2008 (numero de expediente

214/000026).32

See www.mde.es/NotasPrensa?id_nodo=4072&accion=1&id_nota=197633

Letter from UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to Landmine Action, 28 October 2008.34

Email from Richard Moyes, Landmine Action, 3 October 2008; seewww.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/legislation/export-control-act-2002/page46968.html35

Statement of the United Kingdom to the Ninth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty, seewww.fco.gov.uk/en/newsroom/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=9757102

As a country that used toproduce and stockpile cluster

munitions (...), we have cometo the belief that theseweapons have not onlybecome obsolete as weaponsof modern warfare, but thattheir recent use in conflictshave shown them to causeunacceptable harm tocilivians, long after thecessation of active hostilities.

The Ministry of Defense

of Spain announced on18 March that the entirecluster munitionstockpile had beendestroyed.


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OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES ON CLUSTER MUNITIONS36

Argentina adopted the CCM in Dublin. Armenia stated in a letter to the Cluster Munition Coalitionthat it values the new Convention as an important step toward the total elimination of an entirecategory of excessively injurious conventional weapons, but cannot join the CCM at this moment.Armenias signature of the CCM is contingent on a similar level of political commitment by otherparties in the region to adhere to the similar Treaties and comply with its regime. The letter makes

clear that Armenia cannot sign the CCW, the MBT and the CCM unless Azerbaijan agrees to do so.However, Armenia believes that once an agreement on the settlement of the Karabakh conflict isreached, a complete and safe demining of the areas affected by the conflict will become possible incooperation with all parties concerned, and the signing of the Treaties andConventions mentioned above would be an asset for both sides.

37Azerbaijan

attended the conferences in Belgrade, Brussels and Vienna. Bangladeshattended the Oslo Signing Conference and said, we are not () in a positionto sign the Convention now because the internal procedures within thegovernment, which are necessary for acceding to such an internationalagreement, could not be completed and added that we are attending thissigning ceremony () as a goodwill gesture to demonstrate our willingness to join the celebration of the spirit and purpose of disarmament. Bahrain andBelize adopted the CCM in Dublin. Brazil attended the Oslo SigningConference as an observer and there are some signs that it may be

reconsidering its opposition to joining the CCM.

38

A draft law prohibiting the production, use andcommerce (export and import) of cluster munitions was introduced in the Chamber ofRepresentatives in February 2009.

39Brunei Darussalam adopted the CCM in Dublin. Cambodia

stated in Oslo that it fully supports this Convention. However, due to recent security development,Cambodia now needs more time to study the impacts of the convention on its security capability andnational defence. Cambodia recalled that it is one of the countries that suffer the most from clustermunitions, with about 20 million bomblets dropped on its territory between 1969 and 1973. Thesebomblets used more than 30 years ago still claim the lives and limbs of many civilians on a dailybasis. () Therefore, the () governement () spares no efforts to remove these explosive devicesand to deal with this long term threats to human lives and development. Cameroon adopted theCCM in Dublin and attended the Oslo Signing Conference. Cyprus, Djibouti and the DominicanRepublic attended the Oslo Signing Conference. Egypt attended the Dublin Conference as anobserver. Eritrea and Estonia attended the Oslo Signing Conference. The Defense Ministry ofEstonia stated on 16 January 2009, Estonia supports the restriction of [cluster munitions]. Due tothis reason Estonia strives towards international agreements on cluster munitions to which also thebiggest producer and owner countries of such weapons systems would commit to. () Clustermunitions play an important role in the defence of a small country such as Estonia and theirreplacement with an equally effective weapons system is costly and time consuming. EstonianDefence Forces possess a certain amount of cluster munitions which can be used on howitzers;however, cluster munitions are not used in peace time training and on international operations.Cluster munitions can only be used in case of fending off a military aggression against Estonia andeven then outside of populated areas. Deriving from the above mentioned reasons Estonia could notaccede to the CCM in Oslo last December.

40 Ethiopia, a country affected by cluster munitions,

attended the Oslo Signing Conference. The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council ofEurope proposed on 16 December 2008 an international, independent and impartial investigationbe launched into the use of cluster bombs during the hostilities in Georgia.

41On 3 December 2008

the European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy welcomedthe CCM that is being signed by a number of states, including a large majority of EU MemberStates and called it an important step forward in tackling the humanitarian problems caused by

cluster bombs which are a major concern to all EU Member States. He went further to say that The

36This section is largely based on statements at the Oslo Signing Conference and the Ninth Meeting of States Parties to the

Mine Ban Treaty. See www.osloccm.no and www.apminebanconvention.org/en/meetings-of-the-states-parties/9msp/37

Letter from Arman Kirakosian, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia to the Cluster MunitionCoalition, 5 November 2008.38

See www.disarmamentinsight.blogspot.com39

Email from Cristian Wittmann, Brazilian Campaign to Ban Landmines, 21 February 2009. See alsowww.camara.gov.br/sileg/Prop_lista.asp?Autor=522340&Limite=N40

Email from Kai-Helin Kaldas, Ministry of Defense, Estonia, 16 January 2009.41

See www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/JBRN-7MDK3J?OpenDocument; See also Executive Summary and full reporton www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/jbrn-7mdk7e (under Publications)

We are not () in aposition to sign theConvention now becausethe internal procedureswithin the government,which are necessary foracceding to such aninternational agreement,could not be completed.


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EU is playing and will continue to play a leading role in promoting the adoption of a protocol on thistype of munition within the UN framework of the Convention onConventional Weapons (CCW) to involve all major possessors and users ofthis type of munition.

42In a press release issued on 31 October 2008,

Finland stated that it will not sign the Oslo Convention. The issue will bediscussed again after an evaluation of defence capabilities has beencarried out and the international development work along with the supplyand cost options of cluster munitions have been analyzed. The situationwill be followed on an annual basis and Finland will participate in theimplementation of the Oslo Convention through humanitarian mineaction.

43In November, Finland reported that it intended to maintain its

level of mine action funding in 2009.44

In November, a Finnish Member ofthe European Parliament declared, It is very important that all the EUCountries join the Convention, including Finland, Greece and Poland,otherwise, we will be giving other countries an all too easy excuse tocontinue using these inhumane weapons. Regretting that Finland intended

to remain outside the CCM, she said: The justification for this is that cluster munitions have beenacquired to take the place of another type of inhuman weapon, the anti-personnel mine. This,however, is like using Beelzebub to cast out the Devil and she added that the EU countries mustnow show consistency in their opposition to cluster munitions and also refuse to engage in anymilitary operations in which they are used.

45

Georgia attended the Oslo Signing Conference. On 2 September the Georgian Foreign Ministrywrote, Georgian armed forces have GRADLAR160 multiple launch rocket system and rockets (ofMK4 LAR160 type with M85 bomblets) with the range of 45 kms. () The Gradlar system was usedagainst Russian military equipment and armament marching from Rocki tunnel to Dzara road.

46

Human Rights Watch reported on 4 November that At least 17 civilians were killed and dozenswounded by cluster munitions used by both sides. () Human Rights Watch documented the use ofRussian cluster munitions in six towns and villages and Georgian cluster munitions in nine, thoughmost of the casualties investigated appeared to be caused by the Russian weapons.47 Greeceattended the Oslo Signing Conference. In India, about ten Members of Parliament took part in ameeting of the Control Arms Foundation India (CAFI) held on 31 October while over 1,000 citizenssigned the Peoples Treaty calling on the government to ban cluster munitions.

48In November, India

stated that it carried out demining operations in Angola, Cambodia, and Afghanistan.49

Iraq stated atthe Oslo Signing Conference that it will sign the CCM and join the countries as soon as possibleafter the completion of national and constitutional procedures. After reports in the press of clustermunitions use by Israel in Gaza, the mission of Israel in Geneva denied any use of cluster munitions,

confirming that Israel is aware of the highly dense population in Gaza and that necessary measuresare taken not to hit civilians but only legitimate military targets, while operating under InternationalHumanitarian Law. On 4 December 2008 the Ambassador of Israel in Norway wrote that Israelholds cluster ammunition a legitimate weapon that () is subject to Humanitarian Law. However, inlight of the humanitarian aspect of unexploded ammunition left on ground, Israel has welcomed thedecision to start negotiations in the frame of the () CCW, () the proper place for discussions onthe subject.

50 Jamaica adopted the CCM in Dublin. Jordan, a leader of the Ottawa process,

adopted the Oslo Declaration and attended the Vienna Conference. The Republic of Korea attendedthe Oslo Signing Conference where it was quoted as saying "We value the intent of the Oslo Treaty,but considering the current relations between the North and the South, we can't sign it. Today I'mhere to show our presence from our perspective of placing emphasis on human rights diplomacy."On 8 December, an MoD official said to the Japanese Mainichi Daily News that the Republic ofKorea, which confronts the heavily armed North Korean military, can't abandon scatter bombs(cluster munitions).

51

42

See www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/declarations/104477.pdf43

See www.government.fi/ajankohtaista/tiedotteet/tiedote/en.jsp?oid=24326344

See www.apminebanconvention.org/en/meetings-of-the-states-parties/9msp45

See www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+CRE+20081119+ITEM-013+DOC+XML+V0//EN46

See http://georgiamfa.blogspot.com/2008/09/response-to-human-rights-watch-inquiry.html47

See www.hrw.org/en/news/2008/11/04/georgia-more-cluster-bomb-damage-reported48

See www.stopclustermunitions.org/news/?id=89949

See www.apminebanconvention.org/en/meetings-of-the-states-parties/9msp/50

Letter from the Ambassador of Israel in Oslo to IKV Pax Christi Nederland, 2 December 2008.51

See http://mdn.mainichi.jp/features/cluster/news/20081208p2a00m0na015000c.html

() cluster munitions havebeen acquired to take theplace of another type ofinhuman weapon, the anti-personnel mine. This,however, is like using

Beelzebub to cast out theDevil. () EU countries mustnow show consistency intheir opposition to clustermunitions and also refuse toengage in any militaryoperations in which they areused.


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assistance and reporting on it, the Mine Ban Treaty is showing its age. These two newer conventionshave now raised the bar with concrete assistance obligations, rights provisions and regular reportingrequirements. As some 15 of the VA26 countries also suffer from the human consequences ofcluster munitions, the 2009 Review Conference would be the prime opportunity for the Mine BanTreaty to lead the way once again. Make an action plan concrete enough to benefit all those affectedby mines, cluster munitions and ERW all over the world.

70According to the Landmine Monitor Report 2008, assistance to victims of mines and

explosive remnants of war (ERW) including cluster munitions remains largely inadequate, withonly four of the so-called VA2671 making substantial progress towards their 20052009 objectives forimproving the provision of assistance and ensuring victimsrights: Afghanistan, Albania, Sudan and Uganda. LandmineMonitor recorded 5,426 mine/ERW casualties in 2007. Themajority of recorded casulaties were civilian, and nearly 50% ofcivilian casualties were children. Recorded mine/ERW casualtiesdeclined by 9% in 2007 over the previous year. Often,emergency medical care is provided but follow-up care, such asphysical rehabilitation and mental health programs, areneglected. Though crucial, economic reintegration programs were the weakest component of victimassistance programs in 20072008.

Concerning the Second Review Conference of the Mine Ban Treaty that will take place inCartagena, Colombia, from 30 November to 4 December 2009, the Norwegian Ambassador who willchair the Conference said, we can enforce the attention of the world to the humanitarian essence ofthe Mine Ban Treaty, which is that it deals with the welfare and the human rights of the persons andour committment to the survivors.

LANDMINE USE AND VIOLATIONS OF THE MINE BAN TREATY72

New government use of antipersonnel mines was recorded in only two countries: Myanmarand Russia. The use of mines and victim-activated improvised explosive devices by non-state

armed groups was reported in nine countries.Three States Parties, Belarus, Greece and Turkey, missed their

stockpile destruction deadlines of 1 March 2008 and are in serious violationof the treaty. The ICBL has been particularly critical of Greece, which hadnot destroyed a single stockpiled mine several months after its deadline. TheForeign Ministry of Belarus has been informing other States Parties and theBelarus CBL/SCAF on a regular basis about its efforts to finalize anagreement with the European Commission in order to destroy the PFMmines stockpiled in Belarus.

73 The European Commission stated in

November that both parties were close to an agreement74

but as of 1 March2009 no agreement has been reached. Greece announced in November that it had started stockpiledestruction and intended to finish it at the end of the summer 2009.

75Yet Greek officials are now

saying that they may not meet this target date. Turkey destroyed more than 1.3 million landminessince joining the Convention. At the 9

thMeeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty Turkey

reported, The delay which occurred in destroying the remaining parts of the stockpiles is due totechnical reasons () the remaining parts of the stockpiles of which the fuses are all destroyed, arenot usable.

76Turkey now estimates it will finish destruction in early 2010.

70See www.icbl.org/treaty/meetings/9msp/statements/lm_va_28nov08

7126 States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty having a responsibility for significant numbers of survivors: Afghanistan, Albania,

Angola, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Cambodia, Chad, Colombia, DR Congo, Croatia, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia,Guinea Bissau, Iraq, Jordan, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Peru, Senegal, Serbia, Sudan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uganda, andYemen.

72This section was prepared with the assistance of Tamar Gabelnik, Treaty Implementation Director, ICBL, Geneva.

73Email from by Dr.Iouri Zagoumennov, Director Belarus CBL/SCAF, 13 January 2009.

74See www.apminebanconvention.org/fileadmin/pdf/mbc/MSP/9MSP/day4/9MSP-Item12b-27Nov08-EC.pdf

75See www.apminebanconvention.org/fileadmin/pdf/other_languages/french/MBC/MSP/9MSP/day3/9MSP-Item12b-26Nov08-

Greece-fr.pdf76

See www.apminebanconvention.org/fileadmin/pdf/mbc/MSP/9MSP/day4/9MSP-Item12b-27Nov08-Turkey.pdf

Belarus, Greece and Turkeyare in serious violation ofthe treaty. The ICBL hasbeen particularly critical ofGreece, which had not yet

destroyed a singlestockpiled mine severalmonths after its deadline.

We can enforce the attention of theworld to the humanitarian essenceof the Mine Ban Treaty, which is thatit deals with the welfare and thehuman rights of the persons andour committment to the survivors.


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MINE CLEARANCE DEADLINES:15 EXTENSIONS!

Approximately two-thirds of States Parties with 2009 clearance deadlines 15 states havedeclared they will not meet them and have requested deadline extensions. More than 70 states andsix areas not internationally recognized remain mine-affected. Mine contamination was reported inthe Gambia and Mali for the first time in 2007. At the 9

thMeeting of States Parties from 24 to 28

November in Geneva, mine clearance deadline extensions were granted to Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Chad, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, Jordan, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Peru, Senegal, Thailand,United Kingdom, Venezuela, Yemen and Zimbabwe.77

On 28 November 2008, the United Kingdomannounced that it will immediately begin demining the Falkland Islands and reaffirmed itscommitment to their full clearance as soon as possible.

Mine/ERW risk education reached approximately 8.4 million people in 61 countries in 20072008, the highest number ever recorded by Landmine Monitor. However, it was deemed inadequatein nearly 30 countries, including in seven of the ten with the most recorded casualties.

International support for mine action totaled US$ 431 million in 2007, a $33 million declinefrom 2006 but the second highest level of annual funding recorded by Landmine Monitor. Of the 20largest mine action donors, nine provided more funding in 2007 than 2006, while 11 provided less.

78

CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

As of 24 March 2009, 139 states had signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Personswith Disabilities (CRPD), 82 had signed the Optional Protocol, 50 had ratified it and 29 had ratifiedthe Optional Protocol.More information: www.un.org/disabilities

AWARDS

Minister Stre and Ambassador Kongstad of Norway 2008 Arms Control Persons of theYear The Arms Control Association announced on 29 December that Norways Foreign MinisterJonas Gahr Stre and his ministrys Director-General for Security Policy and the High North SteffenKongstad garnered the highest number of votes in an online poll to determine the 2008 ArmsControl Person of the Year.

79

CMC awarded the Tipperary Peace Prize On 31 December the Cluster Munition Coalition hasbeen awarded the Tipperary International Peace Prize. The Tipperary Peace Convention said that itwas "pleased to honour the work of the Coalition and its campaign against cluster bombs, which iscertain to save thousands and thousands of civilian l ives for decades to come.

80

RECENT ARTICLES, PUBLICATIONS AND WEBSITES

A Guide to Understanding Victim Assistance in the Context of the AP Mine Ban Convention, Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention Implementation Support Unit, Geneva, 2008.Link: www.apminebanconvention.org/brochures

Connecting the Dots: Victim Assistance and Human Rights in the Mine Ban Treaty, Convention onCluster Munitions and Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Survivor Corps,

Washington DC, 2008.Link: www.traypml.com/upload/13/SC-ConnectingTheDots.pdf

Fatal Footprint Blog, Handicap International Belgium, including photographs of the Fatal Footprintexhibition, as well as survivors testimonies.Link: www.fatalfootprint.be/eng

77See www.icbl.org/news/pr28nov08

78See www.icbl.org/lm/2008

79See www.armscontrol.org/pressroom/2008personofyear

80See www.tipperarypeace.ie/Home/tabid/5111/Default.aspx


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Contributed to this issue: Stan Brabant,Stphanie Castani, Paul Franck, TamarGabelnik, Hugh Hosman, Katleen Maes.

Coordination: Hildegarde Vansintjan

Pictures: Mary Wareham

Policy UnitHandicap International Belgium

67, Rue de Spastraat

1000 BrusselsBELGIUMPhone: +32 2 280 16 01

policy.unitAThandicap.bewww.handicap-international.be

www.banadvocates.org

Handicap International is an international organisation specialised in the field of disability. Non-governmental, non-religious, non-political and non-profitmaking, it works alongside people with disabilities, whatever the context, offering them assistance and supporting them in their efforts to become self-reliant.Since its creation, the organisation has set up programmes in approximately 60 countries and intervened in many emergency situations. It has eight nationalassociations (Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States) which provide human and financialresources, manage projects and raise awareness of Handicap International's actions and campaigns.For more information and national contacts: www.handicap-international.org

PROVISIONAL CALENDAR

March- 31-3 April: BangkokWorkshop on Achieving aMine-Free South Asia

May- 1: Presentation of theTipperary International PeacePrize- 25-29: Mine Ban TreatyIntersessional StandingCommittees, Geneva- 29: Launch of the LandmineMonitor report on clustermunition policies.

June- 25-26: Berlin Conference onthe Convention on ClusterMunitions

July- 7-8: Dushanbe Workshopon Achieving a Mine-FreeCentral Asia

September- 2: Global launch of a newHIB report on progress invictim assistance.- Africa regional workshop onthe Mine Ban Treaty.

October- 8-9: Tirana regionalworkshop on the Mine BanTreaty

November- 12: Global launch of theLandmine Monitor Report2009- 30-4 December:Mine Ban Treaty 2

ndReview

Conference, Cartagena,Columbia

More information:www.icbl.org/campaign/calendarwww.stopclustermunitions.org/calendar

How the Cluster Munition Ban Was Won: Oslo Treaty Negotiations conclude inDublin, John Borrie, Disarmament Diplomacy. Issue No. 88, Summer 2008.Link: www.acronym.org.uk/textonly/dd/dd88/88jb.htm

Landmine Monitor Report 2008: Toward a Mine-Free World, ICBL, Ottawa,October 2008.Link: www.icbl.org/lm/2008

Learn, Adapt, Succeed: Potential lessons from the Ottawa and Oslo processesfor other disarmament and arms control challenges, Geneva Forum andDisarmament Insight, Summary of an informal symposium held in Glion,Switzerland, 19-20 November 2008.Link: www.unidir.org/pdf/activites/pdf3-act275.pdf

Mines and Cluster Munitions: Investments and Profits, New website developedby Landmine.de.Link: www.ethisches-investment.info/startseite?PHPSESSID=ulbe9qbu7vpok14ed2k57pdou2

Ratification kit and Model Law, ICRC, 2009. The kit also includes a bookletcontaining the text of the Convention, a film and a brochure, as well asFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ).Link: www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/section-ihl-cluster-munition?OpenDocument

Special Follow-Up Mission to the Areas Affected by the South Ossetia Conflict,Implementation of the Commissioners six principles for urgent human rights andhumanitarian protection, Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for HumanRights of the Council of Europe, 12-14 November 2008.Link: www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/jbrn-7mdk7e

The Question of Interoperability, Journal of International Law of Peace andArmed Conflict, Dr. Elke Schwager, Vol. 4 (December 2008).Link: www.ifhv.rub.de/publications/huvi.html

The Value of Diversity in Multilateral Disarmament Work, UNIDIR, December2008.Link: www.unidir.org/bdd/fiche-ouvrage.php?ref_ouvrage=978-92-9045-193-8-en

Up In Flames: Humanitarian Law Violations and Civilian Victims in the Conflictover South Ossetia, Report on the conflict in South Ossetia revealing that bothRussian and Georgian forces used cluster munitions, Human Rights Watch, 23January 2009.Link: www.hrw.org/en/reports/2009/01/22/flames-0

ban newsletter 24

Documents