The
Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer
of Anti-Personnel Mines and On Their Destruction (“Mine Ban
Treaty”)[1] was opened
for signature on 3 December 1997. It entered into force on 1 March 1999.
The
International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) considers the Mine Ban Treaty the
only viable comprehensive framework for achieving a mine-free world. The ICBL
believes that the only real measure of the Mine Ban Treaty’s success will
be the concrete impact that it has on the global mine problem. This Landmine
Monitor Report 2001 provides a means of measuring that
impact.[2] It is evident that the
treaty, and the ban movement more generally, are making a significant
difference. A growing number of governments are joining the Mine Ban Treaty,
and as detailed below, there is decreased use of antipersonnel mines, a dramatic
drop in production, an almost complete halt to trade, rapid destruction of
stockpiled mines, fewer mine victims in key affected countries, and more land
demined.
Despite the progress, the reality is that antipersonnel mines
continue to be laid and to take far too many victims. The landmine problem is
not solved, and will not be solved without sustained commitment from governments
and non-governmental organizations.
[1]The ICBL generally uses the
short title, Mine Ban Treaty, although other short titles are common as well,
including Ottawa Convention and Ottawa
Treaty.
[2] The reporting period
for Landmine Monitor Report 2001 is May 2000 to May 2001. Editors have where
possible added important information that arrived in June and July 2001.