The contribution of
this paper does not necessarily imply the association of the ICRC with views or
statements made in other chapters of Landmine Monitor.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is pleased to have been
invited to contribute to the second edition of Landmine Monitor. The inaugural
edition proved itself to be an invaluable tool to all those involved in the
landmine issue. The Landmine Monitor has established itself as an important
reference point for research on the world-wide landmine problem and the
implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-personnel mines
(Ottawa treaty). It will surely continue to be an essential resource in the
future work in these areas.
Introduction
Nineteen ninety-nine was a remarkable year in the effort to eliminate
anti-personnel mines. The entry into force of the Ottawa treaty on 1 March 1999
and the first meeting of States Parties were unprecedented events. Never before
had a multilateral arms-related agreement become international law so quickly
and rarely do States Parties come together immediately after entry into force to
begin collectively discussing and examining a convention's universalization and
implementation. The creation of Standing Committees of Experts (SCE's) to
continue work on implementation between annual meetings of States Parties also
reflected the international community's commitment to act expeditiously in the
clearing of land, the destruction of stockpiles and the provision of assistance
to mine victims.
Perhaps even more importantly, 1999 also saw tangible results in terms of
lives and limbs saved. Some mine-affected countries have witnessed a decrease in
the number of mine casualties. Cambodia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, in
particular, have seen the number of accidents decline significantly in recent
years. While a variety of factors may have contributed to this welcome
development, concerted mine action in both countries has certainly made an
important contribution.
Yet, 1999 also reminded the world of the realities of mine contamination and
the difficulties facing many mine-affected countries. The floods of Mozambique
wiped out years of dedicated mine clearance by national and international
agencies. Fresh or continued use of mines in some conflicts brought new reports
of death, injury and suffering. These actualities are the most powerful
reminders of the work which remains to be done and the need for all actors to
continue their efforts to universalize the Ottawa treaty and make its
obligations a world-wide reality on the ground.
Throughout 1999, the ICRC continued its work to promote universal adherence
to, and implementation of, the Ottawa treaty. Through its operations in lands
affected by armed conflict, the ICRC also brought relief to mine victims and
mine-affected communities. This annex provides an update of the institution's
work in each of these areas. It also highlights some issues which remain a
concern to the institution and other actors involved in the landmine issue.
Humanitarian diplomacy: promoting universalization and implementation
The historic entry into force of the Ottawa treaty was accompanied by a rapid
succession of ratifications. During 1999, an impressive 32 States became party
to the treaty. Thus, by years end, a total of 139 States -- over two thirds of
the countries in the world -- were bound to a prohibition on anti-personnel
mines through their signature or ratification of the treaty. This was a clear
indication that ending the use of anti-personnel mines had become the
international norm.
These developments brought a corresponding change to the work of encouraging
adherence to and implementation of the treaty. Instead of convening large
international conferences, most efforts began to focus on promoting ratification
in specific regions or countries. Less emphasis was placed on why a
comprehensive ban was necessary and the discussion turned to the implications of
the treaty and the nuts and bolts of implementation. Today, even States which
are unable to adhere at this time recognize the need for drastic action to limit
the effects of anti-personnel mines and foresee their eventual elimination.
For its part, the ICRC organized two meetings in 1999 in regions were
ratifications have been slow in coming. The first meeting took place in Wadduwa,
Sri Lanka in August, where, for the first time ever, representatives of the
ministries of defence and foreign affairs of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal,
Pakistan and Sri Lanka gathered to discuss the landmine issue. Participants
recognized the importance of a ban on anti-personnel mines and their eventual
elimination. Participants also identified measures, short of ratifying the
Ottawa treaty, which could nonetheless further the region along this path.
A meeting was also held in Nyeri, Kenya in October for Kenyan military and
foreign affairs officials. As Kenya is a signatory to the Ottawa treaty this
meeting focussed primarily on implementation issues. The military, legislative
and administrative implications of adherence were discussed in detail. This
meeting was convened at the request of the Attorney-General of Kenya in an
effort to facilitate the passing of national legislation which would enable the
country to deposit its instrument of ratification in the near future.
ICRC representatives also participated in meetings organized by governments
and other organizations in the following locations:
Mexico City, Mexico, organized by the Mexican and Canadian governments and
the Organization of American States;
Tunis, Tunisia, organized by the Institut Arabes des droits de
l'homme;
Beirut, Lebanon, organized by the National Demining Office of the Lebanese
army and the Landmines Resource Centre of Balamand University;
Zagreb, Croatia, organized by the Croatian government, the Croatian Mine
Action Centre and the Croatian Red Cross Society;
Lagos, Nigeria, organized by the Centre for Conflict Resolution and Peace
Advocacy
Tbilissi, Georgia, organized by the Georgian Campaign to Ban Landmines and
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War.
In
addition to providing expertise to these meetings, the ICRC also supplied
documentation and videos. Its Ottawa treaty exhibition was also frequently used
by conference organizers. In 1999, a third exhibition was launched to promote
understanding of the treaty in Arabic speaking countries. The exhibition is
currently on tour in the Middle East and North Africa.
Nineteen ninety-nine also saw the release of "The Ottawa treaty: towards a
world free of anti-personnel mines". This information video provides an overview
of the content and implementation of the treaty for the general public and
others aware of the landmine issue. It has been produced in seven languages and
has been widely distributed.
Mine Awareness
The ICRC also continued its efforts to prevent mine accidents through its
mine/UXO awareness programs. Already established community-based programs in
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and the region of Nagorny-Karabakh continue to
conduct training, organise mine awareness events and find ways to make affected
villages safer for residents. In early 2000, the ICRC mine awareness program in
Azerbaijan was transferred to the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action.
In 1999 new mine awareness programs were started in Albania and the region of
Kosovo. A short summary of these programs is provided below.
Albania
The ICRC has worked closely with the Albanian Red Cross to alert the
population about the dangers of weapons since 1997. These efforts were in
response to the widespread availability of arms brought about by the civil
unrest of that year. As a result of the conflict in Kosovo, however, a formal
mine/UXO awareness program was launched in Albania due to the presence of mines
and unexploded cluster bomb submunitions along the northern border of the
country. As an initial response, leaflets and posters were printed and
distributed in communities near the affected areas. Later, information was
passed through Albanian Red Cross volunteers in Kukes and other villages in the
region. Today, fifteen volunteers and one co-ordinator from the Albanian Red
Cross have been trained by the ICRC and conduct mine awareness.
The mine/UXO awareness program in Albania also helps facilitate the physical
rehabilitation of those who have been injured by these weapons. Through mine
awareness volunteers, victims are informed about the availability of protheses
from a clinic in Tirana. The ICRC provides raw material to the clinic and
victims are provided protheses and fitting free of charge. The ICRC ensures the
transportation and accommodation for patients during their stay.
Kosovo
In response to the conflict in Kosovo, a mine awareness information campaign
was initially launched in the Macedonian and Albanian refugee camps in May 1999.
With the return of large numbers of refugees following the end of the fighting
in June, the ICRC launched a full mine/UXO awareness program throughout the
region.
Similar to programs it operates elsewhere, ICRC mine awareness in Kosovo is
community based. Twelve locally recruited mine awareness officers have been
trained to visit localities which are believed to be mine/UXO-affected, collect
preliminary data on the problem, teach local volunteers how to conduct training
and work with residents to make the village safer. By the end of March 2000,
ICRC mine awareness officers had visited 350 mine/UXO-affected villages. These
visits will continue until all such villages have been assessed. Follow-up
visits and support for community volunteers are ongoing and will continue for as
long as the mine/UXO threat exists.
Through its experience in conducting mine awareness in a number of countries,
the ICRC has learned that mine awareness officers are an important interface
between a community and the mine/UXO clearance organisations. In Kosovo, data on
the local mine/UXO problem is collected with the help of the community. Data and
requests for clearance and marking are then passed on to UNMAC and mine
clearance organizations through the ICRC. This allows the organizations to
prioritise the marking and clearing of land according to the community's needs.
In order to ensure that the affected communities receive timely responses to
their requests, and thus see concrete results for their efforts, the ICRC has
signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Swiss Federation for Mine
Clearance (FSD). Under this agreement, FSD clearance teams respond to urgent
demands for clearance or marking forwarded to it by the ICRC. The clearance
teams then work with the communities to develop a plan to address the problem.
This close collaboration in the field allows mine-affected communities to be
directly involved in the technical response to the mine/UXO problem in their
village. If a request can not be addressed, FSD provides explanation directly to
the community.
Data collection
An important aspect of ICRC mine awareness programs is the collection of data
about mine incidents. In addition to providing information about the location of
mined areas, this data is also necessary to understand the impact of mines on
local communities and mine victims in order to better respond to their needs.
The most comprehensive ICRC data collection program is in Bosnia and Herzegovina
where the ICRC has been gathering and analyzing data since 1995. As at 31 March
2000, the ICRC had recorded 4313 people killed or injured by mines or UXO.
Detailed tables based on ICRC statistics are found in the Landmine Monitor
country report for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Overall, the number of mine accidents
in that country has steadily declined since 1996 and this trend continued
through 1999.
The ICRC also collects data in Kosovo and Afghanistan. Information in Kosovo
is collected in support of the ICRC mine awareness program and forwarded to the
UN Mine Action Center In Kosovo. The ICRC is one of the primary contributors of
data to the UNMAC and its IMSMA database.
Below is a brief summary of some of the data collected by the ICRC in Kosovo
through 31 December 1999. As at that date, the ICRC had registered a total of
208 victims of mines, cluster bomb submunitions or other UXO. The ICRC plans to
publish a report examining the socio-economic impact of these weapons in greater
detail in August 2000.
1. Injury by type of device
Device
Number of incidents
Percentage of Total
AP mine
65
31.71
AV mine
13
6.34
Cluster subm.
60
29.27
Other UXO
21
10.24
Booby trap
10
4.88
Other
9
4.39
Unknown
27
13.17
Total
205
100.00
2. Incident by month
Month
Number of Incidents
Percentage of Total
Feb.
4
1.94
March
6
2.91
April
6
2.91
May
11
5.34
June
52
25.24
July
40
19.42
August
20
9.71
Sept.
27
13.11
Oct.
23
11.17
Nov.
9
4.37
Dec.
8
3.88
Total
206
100.00
3. Incident by gender
Sex
Number of incidents
Percentage of total
Female
9
4.64
Male
181
93.30
Unknown
4
2.06
Total
194
100.00
Mine Victim assistance
Providing aid and assistance to victims of war is one of the primary
activities of the ICRC. The ICRC often provides medical and surgical assistance
during and immediately following armed conflicts. Currently, the institution
supports medical facilities in 22
countries.[51] In many cases
these are the principal facilities in these areas treating mine victims and
other war wounded. The doctors and nurses are trained to deal with war wounded
and able to meet the specific surgical and medical needs of mine victims.
The construction and fitting of prostheses remain an important part of the
assistance ICRC provides directly to mine victims. During 1999, the ICRC opened
7 new rehabilitation clinics brining the total number of ICRC projects to 29
operating in 14 countries. New clinics were opened in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sri
Lanka and Sudan. Each project provides rehabilitation services free of charge to
war wounded, a majority of which are often mine victims, and other people in
need. Such services include new protheses or orthoses, fitting, training and, in
some cases, transport and accommodation during his or her stay.
In 1999 the ICRC produced record number of protheses. In total, 14,383
protheses were manufactured and of these 8,896, or approximately 62%, were for
mine victims (see table below). This proportion has remained fairly constant
over the last 3 years yet percentages between projects can vary significantly.
In 1998, 6,996 (58%) of the 11,977 protheses produced were for mine victims. In
1997, 7,201 (63%) of 11,354 protheses were for people who lost limbs due to
mines. Clinics in Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia and Iraq produced the largest
percentage of protheses for mine injured. In these clinics the proportion of
protheses for mine victims in relation to those made for other patients was 72%
(3929 out of 4565), 80% ( 1625 out of 2016), 95% ( 1481 out of 1553) and 55%
(1945 out of 3518) respectively. Such numbers are not surprising given that
these are among the most heavily mine-affected countries in the world.
ICRC Prosthetic/Orthotic Programmes
STATISTICS FOR 1999
Countries
Newly Registered Amputees Fitted With Prostheses
Number Of Prostheses Manufactured
Number Of Prostheses Manufactured For Mine Victims
Newly Registered Patients Fitted With Orthoses
Number Of Orthoses Manufactured
Pairs Of Crutches Manufactured
Wheelchairs Manufactured
AFGHANISTAN
2,124
4,565
3,292
3,463
5,519
9,016
855
ANGOLA
830
2,016
1,625
21
30
1,921
0
AZERBAIDJAN
184
442
34
75
109
769
0
CAMBODIA
703
1,553
1,481
288
362
4,710
0
GEORGIA
234
623
137
229
393
401
0
IRAQ
2,692
3,518
1,945
1,916
2,878
1,743
0
KENYA
142
390
87
123
153
727
0
R.D. CONGO
239
250
18
3
3
85
0
RWANDA**
31
37
7
172
236
368
0
SRI LANKA
141
141
86
16
19
0
35
SUDAN
250
531
97
110
169
332
0
TADJIKISTAN
188
200
32
0
0
247
0
UGANDA
106
117
55
22
38
0
0
TOTAL
7,864
14,383
8,896
6,438
9,909
20,319
890
**from January to May 99, then withdraw Swill Red Cross
In addition to the 29 programs it runs today, the ICRC continues to assist
physical rehabilitation projects formerly operated by it, but which have now
been handed over to local organizations, government ministries, National Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies or non-governmental organizations. Resources
for this assistance comes from the ICRC-administered Special Fund for the
Disabled (SFD). During 1999, 58 projects in 33 countries received assistance
from the fund and produced a total of 7,085 prostheses. These projects assisted
all those in need of their services, including mine victims.
Issues related to treaty implementation
In the first edition of Landmine Monitor the ICRC
expressed its concern about anti-vehicle mines with sensitive anti-handling
devices and sensitive fusing mechanisms. Briefly restated, the concern was that
as States began to eliminate anti-personnel mines from their arsenals they would
increase their reliance on anti-vehicle mines, particularly those equipped with
anti-handling devices. In the opinion of the ICRC, the use of anti-vehicle mines
with anti-handling devices is permitted by the Ottawa treaty so long as the
anti-handling device does not activate by innocent or inadvertent contact.
Similarly, anti-vehicle mines which can be detonated by the presence, proximity
or contact of a person are prohibited as they fall under the definition of an
anti-personnel mine found in Article 2 of the treaty. The ICRC has produced an
information paper explaining this position in more detail.
The ICRC remains concerned about these issues and believes that States must
examine anti-vehicle mines they currently possess, or any that they may develop
or procure in the future, in light of the definitions contained in the Ottawa
treaty. Only through such an examination can a potentially new humanitarian
problem be averted. The ICRC will continue to work with States and participants
in the Standing Committee of Experts on the Status and Implementation of the
Convention to address these issues.
[51]The countries are: Afghanistan, Angola,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia,
Georgia, Iraq, Kenya (for those injured in Sudan), Nigeria, Republic of the
Congo, Rwanda, Russia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan,
Tanzania, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Yugoslavia.
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