Press Room

Briefings on the key findings of Landmine Monitor Report 2006 were held at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna on 11 October and at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) Brussels headquarters on 27 October.

On 11 October 2006, the ICBL’s Advocacy Director presented findings from Landmine Monitor Report 2006 at the weekly Security Dialogue session organized by the OSCE's Forum on Security Cooperation (FSC).

The FSC, currently chaired by Canada, deals with arms control issues as well as peace and confidence building in OSCE member states. The forum presented an interesting mix of countries, including some of the “pioneers” of the Ottawa process, some of the Mine Ban Treaty’s staunchest opponents, mine-affected countries, stockpilers of antipersonnel mines and mine action donors.

After a brief overview of key global findings, presentations focused more closely on the mine situation in the OSCE area. It was noted that 80 percent of OSCE members have joined the Mine Ban Treaty, however, concerns remain in non-States Parties including USA and Russia. Poland - a signatory since 1997 - was encouraged to complete ratification of the Mine Ban Treaty as soon as possible. Positive movement by countries in the region including Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, was noted. The ICBL called for universal accession as an important step towards regional stability, confidence and human security – all of which are areas of concern for the FSC. Looking at the situation on the ground, Landmine Monitor considers 20 OSCE countries to be mine-affected, while another two are mainly affected by unexploded ordnance.

In 2005, 795 new casualties were recorded in OSCE member states, with the highest numbers being reported in Russia (305) and Turkey (220). Clearance activities were recorded in 12 countries and four territories. Eight countries in the OSCE area (Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Denmark, France, the Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia, Tajikistan, UK) are due to complete mine clearance under Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty between 2009 and 2010. In a very welcome development, FYR Macedonia recently completed its mine clearance obligations well ahead of its deadline.

The presentation sparked a lively exchange of views among participants, focusing in particular on the drop in international mine action funding and its possible impact, on issues of national ownership and responsibility to address the mine problem, and on remaining universalization challenges.

On 27 October, a member of the Landmine Monitor Editorial Board participated in a briefing to NATO's Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council's (EAPC) Ad Hoc Working Group on Small Arms, Light Weapons and Mine Action. Most EAPC member states, as well as some members of NATO's international staff and representatives from NATO's Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) participated in the event. The key global findings of Landmine Monitor Report 2006 were presented, with a particular focus on EAPC countries. A representative of Handicap International gave a separate presentation on cluster munitions in Lebanon.