Horn of AFRICA

THE INSTITUTE FOR PRACTICAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING

Horn of AFRICA / Gulf of ADEN Regional Conference on Landmines

Djibouti, 16 November 2000

ICBL Statement

Susan B. Walker – ICBL Government Relations Liaison

Djibouti, 16 November

Foreign Minister Ali Abdi Farah, Excellencies and Dear Colleagues,

Salaam Alyakum, Bonjour,

I would like to thank the Government of Djibouti and IPRT for hosting and organizing this conference; and the USG and Open Society Institute for funding it.

It is an honor and a privilege to be asked to speak this morning at your Regional Conference on Landmines. Due to the date change, Jody Williams regrets not being able to attend, but sends best wishes for a successful conference with concrete action plans emerging. The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) has lauded the African countries for the key role you collectively played during the Oslo treaty negotiations, so brilliantly chaired by Ambassador J. S. Selebi of South Africa. This leadership has continued with Mozambique hosting the important First Meeting of States Parties in May, 1999 and with South Africa, Mozambique, Yemen and Zimbabwe serving as Co-Chairs of several intersessional Standing Committees dealing with. The significant "numbers" were also represented by African nations: Burkina Faso was #40 which set in motion "entry into force"; and, on 21 July 2000, Mauritania became the 100^th nation to ratify the Mine Ban Treaty. This is only fitting given that the African continent is the most mine-affected region in the world. Every regional country invited to this conference is mine-affected and each of these countries has mine victims (22 out of 48). The ICBL urges all countries in the region to accelerate steps toward universalization and fully implementing the Mine Ban Treaty and most importantly, to cease the use and reported use of antipersonnel mines by several countries in this region. Continued and unequivocal political will is the key to achieving our mutual goal of a largely MineFree World by the Year 2009, ten years after the historic entry into force on 1 March 1999. As Foreign Minister Farah and Ambassador Schermerhorn both said, it is important to define a strategy and action plan at this conference. Banning and clearing mines and helping victims are peace-building and confidence-building measures.

The ICBL is a coalition of 1,400 organizations in 90 countries. The Campaign was born out of the devastation caused by mines. Speaking personally, the reason I am here today, is because of fifteen years of working in Southeast Asia with refugees and disabled persons, including tens of thousands of mine victims.

Let me share with you a snapshot of one day in Cambodia, when I took a colleague for his first visit to a mined country in 1995. We visited a demining program in Battambang and a 36 year old man was killed 400 meters from where we were observing demining operations. The sudden explosion shook my body and I turned and saw a mushroom cloud of smoke. I will spare you the graphic details. Mr. Pech Korb was trying to demine his own farmland. He left behind a widow and three children ages 2, 4 and 6. As we returned to our vehicles, the chief technical officer said, with a horrified look on his face, that a PMN2 mine had just been found in the "safe area" we had walked through earlier with the demining team. Eight mines were eventually found. We later visited a hospital and a young woman with a mine injury had just been carried in by her husband who said there had been a tripwire across a path they walk daily. We then interviewed an amputee, who was lying there waiting for a dressing change with his pregnant wife at his bedside. He told us he was a village defense militia and had been injured by the mine he had, himself, laid the night before to protect against a Khmer Rouge attack. The wind had blown down his marker and he thought he remembered where the mine was....he moaned in pain as told us he wished he could go back in time....When I asked him what he thought about our trying to ban mines, he said, "With a gun, you shoot it and it is finished. Mines hit anytime and hurt too many innocent people. We do not need them. Please do not send any more mines to my country." And this was literally just one day in the Life of Cambodia. And similar stories are repeated daily tenfold throughout Africa and particularly in this region.

Last night as I was trying to prepare for today, I wondered why I continue to share these stories? WHY? Because this is a daily reality in 88 countries and 11 other areas (e.g. Golan, Falklands, Somaliland, Chechnya) around the world. WHY? Because there were new mine victims in 71 countries during the past 18 months, higher than previously believed. WHY? Because it is YOU who CAN make a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians living with the reality of this indescribable terror. TOGETHER we must translate those unambiguous, unconditional life-saving Mine Ban Treaty words on paper – into REALITY to save lives on the ground.

When the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded, the citation from the Nobel Committee stated, "The ICBL and Jody Williams started a process which, in the space of a few years, changed a ban on anti-personnel mines from a vision to a feasible reality." The global momentum to eradicate antipersonnel mines has continued unabated since 1997, with 139 countries having joined the Convention to date, out of which 107 countries have ratified, an increase of 42 ratifying countries since entry into force on 1 March 1999. All of the European Union has signed except Finland. All of NATO has signed, except the US and Turkey. All of the Western Hemisphere has signed, except the US and Cuba. And in the most heavily mined continent in the world, 41 African States out of 48 States in the Sub-Saharan region have signed the MBC, with 28 having ratified. 13 African countries (Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Sao Tome e Principe, Sierra Leone, Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia), have signed but not yet ratified including from those invited today - Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan. Seven African countries have not yet joined the Convention (Eritrea, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Somalia), including Ertirea in attendance today. Of those invited to this conference there are also three other non-Signatories: Egypt, Oman and the United States.

The Mine Ban Convention provides a framework for achieving a MineFree World and the intersessional work programme and the annual Meetings of States Parties provide the tools to translate it into reality, providing for mine clearance and victim assistance programs. More than a dozen African countries participated in the first year of intersessional work, but it would have been good to have more. The ICBL urges all countries in this region to actively participate in the intersessional work programme and Meetings of States Parties. Take time to read the reports and recommendations. One clear recommendation for mine-affected countries is to appoint a focal person for mine victim assistance in each country. ICBL urges each country here to do so and to include landmine survivors in your planning process when developing programs.. Governments will gather in Geneva from December 4-8 to assess progress and problems with implementation of the treaty and all countries, both States Parties and non-Signatories are urged to participate.

The Landmine Monitor initiative is a ground-breaking civil-society based network of 115 researchers in 95 countries, which reports on implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty and is the most comprehensive book to date on the global landmine crisis. On 7 September, the ICBL released its second annual report titled Landmine Monitor 2000: Toward a Mine-Free World, which contains information on every country in the world with respect to mine use, production, trade, stockpiling, humanitarian demining and mine survivor assistance. Landmine Monitor 2000 was presented it to the Second Meeting of States Parties in Geneva. More than a dozen LM researchers and ICBL Campaigners are here today from Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda (landmine survivor), USA, Yemen and Zambia. Please take time during these days to speak with them and to cooperate with them during their Landmine Monitor 2001 research. (signed LM2000 presented to the Foreign Minister)

Key findings for LM this year are evidence that the Mine Ban Convention is, indeed, fast becoming a norm and has significantly changed the overall picture of antipersonnel mines in the world, even among some Non-Signatories. It is clear the treaty and the Ban Campaign are having a major impact globally.

	At this point, there is NO credible, verifiable evidence of VIOLATIONS of ANY of the core prohibitions (use, production, trade) of the Convention by ANY States Parties.
	Reduced use of antipersonnel mines in recent years;
	Dramatic drop in Production of antipersonnel mines (from 54 known producers to 16);
	Exports of antipersonnel mines have halted almost completely.
	Resources for mine clearance and victim assistance are on the rise and the number of victims, where we have information, is on the decline (e.g. Croatia, Cambodia, Bosnia).
	Steps toward the Ban are being made by Non-Signatories.

Still major problems remain. The ICBL’s key concern, in light of the successes, is to assess if the Mine Ban Treaty is having an impact on the ground as quickly as we might like.

RATIFICATIONS and ACCESSIONS were previously mentioned. 54 countries have not yet acceded to the Convention, but ¾ of the world’s nations have joined.

USE – for obvious reasons, ICBL is most interested in halting new use. LM 2000 reported new use of AP mines in 20 conflicts around the world, by eleven governments and at least 30 rebel groups. This is a surprisingly small number, compared to past use, although certainly higher than any of us would like.

Africa, including this region, is unfortunately where very serious allegations of USE is reported by Landmine Monitor. There has been convincing evidence of use by 11 governments worldwide, including signatory ANGOLA, which publicly declared they were using during the Second Meeting of States Parties; rebel forces in Angola are also using APMs. There have also been allegations of use by signatory ETHIOPIA, which they have denied. Both rebel forces and the government of signatory SUDAN (government denies their use) have reportedly used antipersonnel mines. There has been ongoing and in some instances increased use of mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo by government and rebel forces, in the Eritrea-Ethiopia border conflict by Eritrean forces, in Senegal by rebel forces, in Uganda by rebel forces and in Somalia by various factions.

There have been continued, but unconfirmed, allegations of use of antipersonnel mines by Signatory BURUNDI and by States Parties RWANDA (ratified but not yet entered into force), UGANDA and ZIMBABWE in the DRC conflict, but these have been denied by all 4 countries. Given these long-standing reports of use, ICBL would urge States Parties to seek clarification on this issue from Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Zimbabwe and to make all necessary efforts to establish the facts regarding mine use in the DRC conflict.

ICBL condemns all use of AP mines by any parties. The final Declaration of the Second Meeting of States Parties in September "deplored the continued use of anti-personnel mines" and called "upon all those who continue to use AP mines, as well as those who develop, produce, otherwise acquire, stockpile, retain and transfer these weapons to cease now…" (Pt. 5) It also implored "those States that have declared their commitment to the object and purpose of the Convention and that continue to use AP mines to recognize that this is a clear violation of their solemn commitment." (Pt. 6)

STOCKPILE DESTRUCTION is the most cost efficient and effective Preventive Mine Action and is an obligation for State Parties to complete within four years.

REGARDING STOCKPILES: progress is being made in getting rid of APMs from global stockpiles. Landmine Monitor believes that 22 million APMs have been destroyed by 50 nations. 22 States Parties/Signatories have completely eliminated their stocks, except for mines retained for training. 23 States Parties and Signatories have started destruction programmes. 17 States Parties have not begun. In this region, Zimbabwe was supposed to have destroyed its stockpiles yesterday, 15 November, but I have not confirmed if this indeed took place. Djibouti, Uganda and Yemen also have stockpiles to destroy within 4 years. Non State Parties have destroyed 5 milllion anti-personnel mines. ICBL urges all countries, whether State Party or not, to make information about stockpiles known.

PRODUCTION: There are perhaps 16 producers left in the world, including at least two countries attending this conference (Egypt and the USA) out of a previous total of 54. There is NO evidence of production by any States Parties or Signatories. Some of the 16 are also not currently engaged in production.

IMPORT/EXPORT: There is no evidence of States Parties import or export. We seem to have a DE FACTO GLOBAL BAN on export in place, including Non-States Parties.

ICBL CONCERNS REMAIN including, inter alia:

Late or insufficient Article 7 reports. This is indeed a treaty obligation, NOT voluntary. [Djibouti (27 August 1999) and Uganda (28 January 2000) late on reports. Yemen provided an excellent first report, delayed because of the tragic death in a helicopter crash of those preparing the report. Yemen is late on their second year report (due 28 April 00) and we would urge you to provide this as soon as possible.] Transparency and submission of Article 7 reports is very important.

Lack of sufficient national implementation measures. Not one country in Africa has national implementation legislation and ICBL strongly urges all SPs to do so.

Number of mines some States are retaining for training and research ("<2000" – Co-Ch).

AHDs on ATMs, the understanding that anything which acts like an antipersonnel mine is banned under the terms of the Convention (Article 2).

Lack of clarity of the meaning of "assist" in Article 1.

Concern about joint operations, potential transit and stockpiling of foreign mines in SPs.

OVERALL, COMPLIANCE WITH THE MINE BAN CONVENTION BY STATES PARTIES APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN EXEMPLARY, GLOBALLY. Even outside of States Parties, progress is being made. Governments that not even 3 years ago would NOT say the BAN word, are talking about signing it at some point in time and making concrete steps. The Mine Ban Convention is the international norm for AP mines.

In order to ensure that the Treaty provisions are implemented, the intersessional Standing Committee meetings of the Mine Ban Treaty in Geneva are a way to mark, measure and stimulate progress in our mine action efforts and to achieve our objective of universalizing the Convention. The intersessional work is also a key factor in:

KEEPING GOVERNMENTS ACTIVE in implementing the Mine Ban Convention;

Providing a rolling review of the EFFECTIVENESS of the Mine Ban Convention in preparation for the REVIEW CONFERENCE IN 2004;

Keeping active involvement of MINE AFFECTED COUNTRIES– a very impt. factor;

Providing an important opportunity to make contacts, share resources and expertise.

The ICBL believes the first year of intersessional work has proceeded with the inclusivity, partnership, dialogue, openness and practical cooperation which has marked the Mine Ban Treaty process from the outset. Intersessional meetings have been viewed as important, forward-looking milestones resulting in concrete, measurable progress. Practical outcomes

have resulted, including means of addressing gaps in mine action, victim assistance and stockpile destruction programmes. The international focus on the mine problem has been maintained. ICBL would stress that continued leadership and substantive participation from all parties involved in the intersessional process is required if further progress is to be made.

The ICBL applauds the significant progress which has been made, with global production down significantly; a de facto global export ban in place; 22 million antipersonnel mines destroyed from stockpiles; an increase in humanitarian demining and victim assistance programs; and new use of AP mines appearing to be on the wane.

ICBL calls on all countries, which have not yet done so, to sign and ratify the Mine Ban Convention prior to the second anniversary of Entry Into Force on 1 March 2001 and to enact national legislation prior to the Third Meeting of States Parties in Managua in September, 2001. We also urge all countries to continue to destroy stockpiles, enact national legislation, clear minefields and assist landmine victims. Most importantly, we urge all countries and rebel groups still using antipersonnel mines, particularly in this region, to immediately cease and never again use these abhorrent weapons.
There is an urgency to meet the treaty obligations to destroy stockpiles within 4 years and to clear minefields within 10 years and to help landmine survivors. There is an urgency, as time is not on the side of those communities which live with the daily devastation of landmines. During the three days of this conference, there will be more than 200 mine victims somewhere. May this knowledge guide our deliberations. Millions living in mine affected communities around the world are expecting concrete results to improve their lives, so they may "walk without fear". Collectively we have made history. Collectively we must ensure that place in history by universalizing and effectively implementing the Mine Ban Treaty, thereby saving lives in many countries in the Africa region and worldwide.

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Copyright © 2000
Last Update| 08/12/06 14:58 | Internet: ahesa@rocketmail.com Visitors