Miscellaneous
A MINE-FREE WORLD: MISSION POSSIBLE
Ten years after its entry into force on 1 March 1999, the Mine Ban Treaty has clearly made a difference in the lives of individuals and communities living in mine-affected areas. To measure progress made so far, assess the challenges ahead, and collectively recommit to continue working towards a mine-free world, States Parties to the treaty, some states not party to the treaty, United Nations agencies, and the civil society groups, including landmine survivors and mine action operators, will gather in Cartagena, Colombia from 30 November to 4 December 2009 for the treatyโs Second Review Conference. In the lead up to this meeting, the mine action community, and in particular states should step up their efforts to meet the goal set out in the preamble of the treaty: โto put an end to the suffering and casualties caused by antipersonnel mines.โ
The ICBL believes that the Second Review Conference should reaffirm a โmine-free worldโ as our ultimate goal, meaning one in which the Mine Ban Treaty is universally adhered to and implemented, with all stockpiles destroyed, all known mined areas cleared, and the physical rehabilitation and socio-economic inclusion of landmine survivors ensured. The road ahead may still be long, but with the lessons learned over the past 10 years we strongly believe achieving this goal is โMission Possible.โ
Over the past 10 years, the number of countries joining the treaty has continued to growโfrom 71 as of 1 March 1999 to 156 as of 1 March 2009. Under the treatyโs guidance States Parties have cleared and returned to productive use large tracts of land; educated mine-affected communities about the risk of antipersonnel mines and other unexploded ordnance; provided support to and protected the rights of landmine survivors; and destroyed millions of stockpiled antipersonnel mines, ensuring they can never be planted in the earth again. Today, use of antipersonnel mines is the exception rather than the rule, and the trade in these weapons has virtually stopped. Thanks to the advance of mine clearance and risk education programs, the number of new landmine casualties has steadily decreased.
However, many challenges still remain on the road to a minefree world, especially in the areas of mine clearance, stockpile destruction, and ensuring real and lasting change in the lives of landmine survivors,
their families and communities. To overcome these challenges and fulfill our collective mission, states, civil society and all other stakeholders in the mine ban community must reaffirm their firm commitment and continue working together to get rid of landmines and assist those already affected.
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By: International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL)
When: 7/2/2014
