Landmine Update #3, December 2000

December 2000
The Landmine Update is the International Campaign to Ban Landmines? quarterly newsletter. This edition is followed by an updated calendar of upcoming events and list of available new resources. To date, 139 countries have signed the Mine Ban Treaty, and 109 have ratified. The most recent ratifications are: Romania (30 November), Tanzania (13 November), Gabon and the Republic of Moldova (8 September) and Bangladesh and Colombia (6 September). Kiribati (7 September) is the latest accession.
Much of the last quarter of the Year 2000 has been occupied by the Second Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty, preparations for the Standing Committee Meetings and CCW, and planning for the March 2001 ICBL General Meeting and regional Landmine Monitor meetings in Ukraine, Argentina, Djibouti, Japan and Switzerland.
The Landmine Monitor Report 2000: Toward a Mine-Free World was released in two dozen capitals around the world on 7 September. The launch received global press attention, and provided a focus of attention during the SMSP, where the report was distributed and discussed extensively.
2000-2001 marks the second year of the Intersessional Work Programme. From 4-8 December the ICBL will have a strong presence at the Standing Committee meetings in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information about the Intersessional Work Programme, please consult www.icbl.org/sc or www.gichd.ch. Other activities in Geneva this December are the CCW review conference on 11-15 December and an ICBL Coordination Committee meeting.
Preparations are underway for the Third ICBL General Meeting, being held 6-7 March 2001 in Washington, DC, USA. The meeting will be followed by an international Landmine Monitor meeting on 8-9 March 2001. The United States Campaign to Ban Landmines will hold a meeting and public events from 7-10 March 2001. Events surrounding these meetings will take place from 6-10 March 2001 in Washington, DC, USA. For more information please refer to www.icbl.org/resources/gm01/.
Throughout the last quarter of 2000, many new developments and campaign activities have taken place around the world:

• Angola- On 28-29 September SADC held a Landmine Victim Assistance Workshop in Luanda to develop a "SADC Plan of Action for the Enhancement of Landmine Victim Assistance." Contact: Noel Stott masa@icbl.org On 27-30 November, INAROEE, UNICEF Angola, the Angolan Ministry of Education and Culture, and a number of theatre groups and national and international NGOs participated in the National Workshop on Mine Awareness Education. The event culminated with a cultural display at the National Parliament building. Contact: hbarlevi@unicef.org
  
• Argentina- From 4-7 November, LM researchers and ICBL campaigners from throughout the Americas met in Buenos Aires. LM researchers met to discuss research for Landmine Monitor 2001. The ICBL regional meeting included discussion of previous and upcoming campaign activities, and planning for the ThirdMeeting of States Parties (TMSP) in Managua, Nicaragua in September 2001. On 6-7 November, the governments of Argentina and Canada and the Organization of American States hosted a regional seminar on stockpile destruction. All countries of the Western Hemisphere participated, except Cuba, USA and Caribbean states. Diana Roa-Castro of CCCM and Mary Wareham of HRW spoke on behalf of the ICBL. During the seminar Honduras reported completion of its stockpile destruction, Nicaragua announced that it will destroy its remaining stockpiles by the TMSP, and Chile announced the destruction of 2000 M16 antipersonnel mines on 6 November. The seminar co-chairs concluded that by the TMSP, all American states should "have completed the ratification process? have their Article 7 reports prepared? their stockpiles destroyed?" All conference documents are available at www.icbl.org/resources/document/la2000.php3 For more information contact Mines Action Canada at macinfo@web.ca or SERPAJ serpaj@serpaj.wamani.apc.org or Canada?s Department of Foreign Affairs Mine Action Team: melanie.regimbal@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
  
• Australia- In October, a Cambodian volleyball team of landmine survivors competed in the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney. In November World Vision Australia hosted a Landmines Seminar in Melbourne, featuring speakers from a number of organizations including AusAID, LSN, MAG, UNICEF, and the ICBL. World Vision staff from around the world also met to develop policy and an action plan on landmines and UXO. Contact: elliotth@wva.org.au
  
• Azerbaijan- The Azerbaijan Without Mines campaign is preparing a report on its surveys conducted in 1999-2000, to distribute in districts located close to frontlines, borders and minefields. Throughout the last three months, three mine incidents were reported, resulting in one fatality, two injuries and124 sheep killed. On 17 October members of Azerbaijan Without Mines met with government and NGO representatives as well as political parties and journalists. Contact: root@ipd.bakuaz
  
• Bangladesh- Ratified Mine Ban Treaty, 6 September. Several mine incidents were reported along the Myanmar border in November. Contact: yadc@bangla.net
  
• Belarus ? A Belarus version of the Landmine Monitor 2000 has been prepared in Russian and the release was featured in local media.
  
• Belgium- Handicap International?s Landmines Day, held 16 September included public events throughout the country. An ICBL lobbying day at the European Parliament in Brussels was held on 21 September. The event report is available at http://www.icbl.org/prelease/2000/oct19.php3 Contact: anne.capelle@handicap.be
  
• Bosnia-Herzegovina- In October, three of Bosnia?s demining commissioners were replaced by High Representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina Wolfgang Petritsch after allegations of corruption surfaced. Several deminers were killed in September, and three US soldiers were injured in a mine explosion near Tuzla in November.
  
• Burma (Myanmar) ? Separate Landmine Monitor 2000 Report in Burmese was released and distributed.
  
• Cambodia- In September, Landmine Monitor 2000 was launched at the National Center for Disabled Persons and covered by local media. Youth Cambodian landmine survivors Song Kosal and Man Sokhoeum attended the Second Meeting of States Parties in Geneva and then traveled to Paris and Brussels to participate in public landmine events. October, Cambodia?s first Palalympic volleyball team competed in the Sydney, Australia Paralympics. Eleven of the twelve team members are landmine survivors. Volleyball has been cut from the 2004 Paralympics, a decision the Cambodian team is fighting. On 23 November, Tun Channareth spoke to the undergraduate seminar of the Institute of Asian Affairs in Singapore, which also featured a talk by Singapore Minister of Defense Sirivudh. The Cambodian Landmine Dancers and 13 year-old survivor Srey Mom toured Spain and France in November. Contact: jrscam@forum.org.kh
  
• Canada- In September the Landmine Monitor Report 2000 was released in Ottawa at the National Press Club. An International Conference on War-Affected Children was held by the Government of Canada in Winnipeg from 11-17 September. See http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canada-magazine/issue10/10t3-en.asp for more information. Events to commemorate the third anniversary of the opening for signature of the Mine Ban Treaty on 3-4 December included "mining" of public spaces, displays and awareness-raising presentations across Canada in conjunction with the Youth Mine Action Ambassador Program. On 3 December, musical performers Bruce Cockburn, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter and John Prine played a sold-out concert hosted by Mines Action Canada and VVAF at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Contact: macinfo@web.ca
  
• Colombia- Colombia ratified the Mine Ban Treaty on 6 September. On 26 September, the Colombian Campaign Against Landmines (CCCM) and UNICEF Colombia launched "Sowing Mines, Harvesting Death," a book detailing the landmines problem in Colombia, including the voices of survivors. "Colombia, a Mined Country," a video about the horror of mines in Colombia, was also released at the launch. The CCCM held their "What you can do?" conference at the University of Los Andes in Bogota on 11 November. Contact: cccminas@cccminas.org
  
• Cuba- While in Buenos Aires, Argentina in November, Diana Roa-Castro of CCCM met with Mr. Sanchez of the Cuban Embassy. Cuba did not participate in the Buenos Aires Stockpile Destruction Seminar and Mr. Sanchez stated that Cuba is not likely to accede to the Mine Ban Treaty for the time being.
  
• Djibouti- A Regional Conference on Landmines for the Horn of Africa and Gulf of Aden, hosted by the Government of the Republic of Djibouti and the Institute for Practical Research and Training (IPRT), was held from 16-18 November. Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda and Yemen signed a Final Declaration which called for the region?s countries to sign and ratify the Mine Ban Treaty, enact domestic implementation legislation and legislation to protect the rights of handicapped persons, and create a regional center for mine action research and training in Djibouti. It called for all parties to immediately cease and never use antipersonnel mines. Others in attendance included 22 LM and ICBL campaigners, the ICRC, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP, OAU, Canada, Egypt, France, Japan and USA and Canada. The conference?s final declaration is available at http://www.iprt.org/ Contact: ahesa@rocketmail.com
  
• Finland ? On 7 September Landmine Monitor 2000 launched with good local press coverage.
  
• France- Youth Cambodian landmine survivors Song Kosal and Man Sokhoeum attended the Second Meeting of States Parties in Geneva and then traveled to Paris for Handicap International?s Landmines Day, held 16 September, included shoe pyramids in sixteen cities throughout France. The Cambodian Landmine Dancers and 13 year-old survivor Srey Mom toured France. Contact: sylviebrigothi@compuserve.com
  
• Gabon- Ratified Mine Ban Treaty, 8 September.
  
• Georgia- The Georgian CBL and other Georgian NGOs held a peaceful action to support of disabled persons on 3 December. Contact: icblgc@access.sanet.ge
  
• Germany ? 30 August press conference by German Initiative to Ban Landmines to release Germany research for Landmine Monitor 2000.
  
• Honduras- Honduras completed destruction of its stockpiled antipersonnel mines in November.
  
• India- The Indian CBL held a Regional Seminar on Banning Landmines in Guwahati, Assam on 30 September. Another Regional Seminar on Banning Landmines was held in Tamil Nadu, Madras on 11 November. The Indian CBL will be holding a similar seminar in Kohima, Nagaland on 6 December. Contact: iipdep@nagpur.dot.net.in
  
• Italy- 7 September 2000 press conference by Italian Campaign to Ban Landmines with State Secretary Rino Serri to release Landmine Monitor 2000. The 21st Century Opening of the World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, hosted by the Gorbachev Foundation- Italy, was held 12-13 November in Roma- Campidoglio. Italian campaigner Nicoletta Dentico attended the event on behalf of the ICBL. Contact: publisi@agonet.it or Nicoletta_Dentico@rome.msf.org
  
• Japan- On 28 September Loung Ung of VVAF delivered a keynote address to the Symposium on Landmines in Tokyo. For more information contact: Japan CBL shimizu@jca.ax.apc.org. On 22 November a regional seminar on universalization at Japan?s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On 23 November a Landmine Monitor meeting of North Asia researchers was held. On 24 November campaigners witnessed stockpile destruction at Shin Asahi Town. On 25 November, Chris Moon and Japanese marathon runner Mari Tanigawa ran a 75 km marathon from Hiwizan Enryakuju Temple to Shin Asahi Town. Contact: landmine@aarjapan.gr.jp http://www.icbl.org/prelease/2000/nov28.php3
  
• Kenya ? 7 September press conference by Kenya Coalition Against Landmines in Nairobi to release the Landmine Monitor 2000.
  
• Kiribati- Acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty, 7 September.
  
• Korea- In October the Korean CBL and European campaigners wrote letters to foreign ministers on the occasion of the Asia-Europe (ASEM) summit held in Seoul, highlighting the importance of universalization of the treaty and urging participants to raise the issue during the summit. Contact: kgavand@compuserve.com or hansangj@hotmail.com
  
• Lebanon- On 1 December it was reported that since 24 May 2000, nine civilians have been killed and 55 injured by mines. Contact: aounacs@cyberia.net.lb
  
• Luxembourg- Public events were held on 16 September for Handicap International?s Landmines Day. Contact: anne.capelle@handicap.be
  
• Malawi- In September 2000 a briefing on findings of the Landmine Monitor 2000 was held. A rare mine explosion killed two young people in October. Contact: chrr@eomw.net
  
• Mauritius- In November the Ban Landmines Working Group - Mauritius presented the Landmine Monitor to the Foreign Minister. On 2 December, the Working Group held an awareness raising film presentation and discussion with local Scouts in Barkly, Rose Hill to commemorate the opening for signature of the Mine Ban Treaty. A small resource center on landmines has been established in the local Handicap International office. Contact: sbkeetharuth@yahoo.com
  
• Moldova- Ratified Mine Ban Treaty, 8 September.
  
• Nepal- On 23 October, the Nepal CBL held a seminar on Nepal and the Mine Ban Treaty. Contact: wodes@unlimit.com
  
• New Zealand ? On 7 September a briefing was held by Campaign Against Landmines (CALM) to release Landmine Monitor 2000. Contact: neilman@clear.net.nz
  
• Norway ? 7 September briefing by Norwegian People?s Aid to release Landmine Monitor 2000. Contact: chr@npaid.org
  
• Nicaragua- In September 2000 Nicaragua accepted to host the Third Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty from 18-21 September 2001. It has pledged to destroy its remaining 96,000 stockpiled anti-personnel mines by the TMSP.
  
• Romania- Ratified Mine Ban Treaty, 30 November.
  
• Sierre Leone ? Public lecture in Freetown to launch Landmine Monitor 2000 in September. SHARE issued a press release in October welcoming the mines language in the ceasefire agreement. Contact: share50@hotmail.com
  
• Russia ?First Hockey-on-Prostheses Championship, a central event for the Russian National Congress "People and Health" devoted to the World Day of Disabled and the Anniversary of the Mine Ban Treaty held in St. Petersburg on 3 December. " Contact in Russia: ph@peterlink.ru In US: mpitkin@lifespan.org or visit http://www.hop.spb.ru/ On the eve of the 3d anniversary a seminar for journalists (TV and press), including a visit to one of the Engineer brigades located near Moscow, was held. Opening of the exhibition of George Gittoes "Minefields" at the Central House of Journalists, Moscow on Dec 4 along with the IPPNW-Russia photo exposition "Ban Landmines". Lectures by George Gittoes at the Moscow-based medical/general educational institutions. TV Broadcast of video-clips "Stop Landmines". Contact: scippnw@online.ru
  
• Singapore- Tun Channareth delivered a presentation to the undergraduate seminar at the Institute of Asian Affairs on 23 November. Others speakers included the Singapore Minister of Defense Sirivudh and the head of the Peace Institute. Contact: jrscam@forum.org.kh
  
• Spain- The Cambodian Landmine Dancers and 13 year old survivor Srey Mom toured Spain this October. On 15 November, Spain destroyed the last of its stockpiled mines. Spanish President Aznar, Minister of Defense Federico Trillo, media and representatives of NGOs including the Spanish Campaign to Ban Landmines were in attendance. Over the past two years, Spain has destroyed almost 850 000 mines, keeping 4000 P5 type mines for training purposes. Contact: rromeva@pangea.org
  
• Switzerland - From 11-15 September, 162 ICBL campaigners, researchers, deminers and survivors representing 53 countries, along with representatives from 110 governments, attended the Second Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Outside the Palais des Nations site, a number of public events were organized, including Handicap International?s Mined Earth photo and prose exhibit, local artist Daniel Bercet?s Red Chair exhibit and the Swiss Campaign to Ban Landmines? Skateboard Against Landmines competition. The President?s Action Programme was adopted at the meeting?s conclusion. All SMSP documents are available at http://www.icbl.org/index/text/Mine_Ban_Treaty/2MSP/
  
• Tanzania- Ratified Mine Ban Treaty, 13 November.
  
• Thailand ? Landmine Monitor 2000 Thai report was presented to Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai by Thai Campaign to Ban Landmines on 4 October. Contact: thailand@icbl.org
  
• Togo- The Francophone Africa Landmine Monitor research Meeting, hosted by Handicap International and the International Center of Peace Research, was held 28-29 November in Lom?, Togo. In addition, campaigners met to discuss items including strategies for promoting universalization in the region, the need for national implementation legislation, Article 7 reports, stockpiles and the upcoming pan-African conference in Bamako, Mali. Contact: assodesir@yahoo.fr or lm@icbl.org.
  
• Ukraine- From 16-18 October, Landmine Monitor researchers from eight Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries met in Yalta, Ukraine to prepare their research for Landmine Monitor 2001. On 17 October participants traveled to Sevastapol to hold a roundtable discussion with local officials about the city?s mine and UXO problem, and visit a contaminated site stockpiled with World War II munitions, including landmines. Contact: donskoy@abc.com.ua
  
• United Kingdom- In September, the UK Working Group on Landmines was relaunched as Landmine Action (UK). Events included a photo exhibit by John Rodsted and public lecture by Rae McGrath at the Royal Geographic Society and activities in several towns. Contact: info@landmineaction.org or www.landmineaction.org
  
• USA- On 7 September, Landmine Monitor 2000 was released at the National Press Club in Washington DC and a briefing was held at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The release was well-covered by the media. The US Campaign to Ban Landmines reported over 50 public events around the country on 3 December including shoe piles, fundraising events, petitioning, benefit concerts and "mining" of public areas. Canadian activist Miles Meili has been driving a truck-load of prosthetic limbs and other supplies across the United States to Managua, Nicaragua, where the supplies will be used by landmine survivors.On 18 November US President Bill Clinton met with young Vietnamese survivors and viewed an exhibition of their artwork. He said "I think we should do more" and pledged "you will have America's support until you have found every land mine and every piece of unexploded ordnance." Contact: banmines@phrusa.org or www.banminesusa.org
  
• Vietnam- During his 18 November visit to Vietnam, US President Bill Clinton met with young Vietnamese survivors and viewed an exhibition of their artwork, calling mines "the curse of innocent children all over the world." See USA above. Vietnam plans to clear a highway route along the Ho Chi Minh trail of mines and UXO.
  
• Yemen- Yemen?s Landmine Impact Survey findings were presented to the Yemeni government on 24 September. The survey was completed by Afghan Mine Clearance Planning Agency and the Global Landmine Survey Group. In October government officials stated that with sufficient international funding, Yemen?s mines could be cleared by 2010. On 23 October 2000 a briefing was held in Aden by Radda Barnen on Landmine Monitor 2000 with good media coverage. Contact: rbyemcacd@y.net.ye
  
• Zimbabwe-Zimbabwe destroyed all its 4000 stockpiled anti-personnel mines on 15 November, but retained 700 mines for training purposes. SADC Mine Action Committee meeting in October. Contact masa@icbl.org
  
• European Union- A Day for a Mine Free World, organized by the ICBL and members of the European Parliament was held on 21 September at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. The day opened with an ICBL press conference, followed by the signing of the Call for a Mine Free World petition. Throughout the afternoon, ICBL campaigners and members of the European Parliament attended " the way toward a mine free world" seminar. Speakers included Anne Capelle of Handicap International, Ms. Marie-Arlette Carlotti of the European Parliament, ICBL Ambassador Jody Williams. The event report is available at http://www.icbl.org/prelease/2000/oct19.php3 Contact: anne.capelle@handicap.be
  
• United Nations- The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on the Mine Ban Convention introduced by Norway, Mozambique and Nicaragua on 20 November, with 143 countries voting in favor and 23 abstaining. In 1999, 139 countries voted in favor of the resolution, 1 against (Lebanon), and 20 abstained. The draft resolution is available at http://www.icbl.org/treaty/un