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Table of Contents
Country Reports
TUVALU, Landmine Monitor Report 2000
LM Report 2000 Full Report   Executive Summary   Key Findings   Key Developments   Translated Country Reports

TUVALU

Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, has not yet acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. In a recent letter to the ICBL Coordinator, Tuvalu’s Attorney General noted that the government has heard and read about the Mine Ban Treaty but:

In the absence of any anti-personnel mines in Tuvalu, we have not taken an active role and interest in the convention. However we have traditionally been supportive of any global efforts to prohibit and eliminate any inhumane practices. Accordingly we would have no difficulty in subscribing to the objectives of the Mine Ban Treaty and would appreciate your assistance in furnishing us with all relevant information on the Treaty, in particular with a copy of the text of the Treaty. The only consideration that may hinder our immediate accession to the Treaty may be if there are substantial financial obligations that will be imposed on us as a result of becoming a party to the convention.[1]

The ICBL Coordinator responded by sending a copy of the Mine Ban Treaty as well as the ICRC’s “Ratification Packet” and forwarded the letter to Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs who provided Tuvalu with information on the financial obligations required under the ban treaty.[2]

A member of Tuvalu’s parliament promised to look into the ratification during a regional meeting of parliamentarians in March 2000.[3]

Tuvalu is not a member of the United Nations and therefore has not participated in any of the relevant UN General Assembly resolutions on landmines.

Tuvalu has no defense force and it is believed that it has never produced, transferred, stockpiled or used AP mines. It is not known to provide any assistance to humanitarian mine action programs.

The islands of Tuvalu are affected by UXO dating from heavy fighting during World War II.

<TONGA | VIETNAM>

[1] Letter from Feleti P. Teo, Attorney-General, Government of Tuvalu to Elizabeth Bernstein, Coordinator of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, 31 March 2000.
[2] Letter from Elizabeth Bernstein, ICBL Coordinator to Feleti P. Teo, Attorney-General, Government of Tuvalu, 11 April 2000.
[3] Hon. Telke P. Lauti promised ICBL Ambassador Tun Channereth that he would find out the status of ratification. UNICEF, Report on the Pacific visit of Tun Channareth, International Campaign to Ban Landmines Ambassador, 22-31 March 2000, p. 9.