At UN First Committee, the ICBL calls on states not party to support the UNGA resolution

In October 2015, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines participated in the UN General Assembly First Committee on Disarmament and International Security, in New York. In its statement to the First Committee, the ICBL called on states not party to the Mine Ban Treaty to move closer to the treaty’s objectives by voting in favour of the resolution.

The ICBL also reminded all participants about the successes of the Mine Ban Treaty so far, while emphasising that active support to the Maputo decisions as well as sustained funding are still needed. In particular, it noted that some 60 states and areas are still affected by mines and explosive remnants of war and that in the vast majority of affected states, victims still do not see their basic needs met nor their rights respected.

The ICBL told the First Committee that “In general, respect for the ban remains very high among both States Parties and states not party, and the ICBL is confident that the goal of no new use within ten years can be met.”