LM Report 2003

Lesotho

The Kingdom of Lesotho signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 4 December 1997, ratified on 2 December 1998, and the treaty entered into force on 1 June 1999. Lesotho submitted its second Article 7 report on 30 April 2003.^[1] The 1984 Internal Security Act is listed under national implementation measures. The report states, “Since Lesotho does not have the scourge of AP Mines, the Act suffices as it makes it an offence to manufacture, sell, supply, be in possession etc. of such dangerous weapons.”^[2] Lesotho did not attend any Mine Ban Treaty-related meetings in 2002 or the first half of 2003, but a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official told Landmine Monitor, “The government has the political will to continue to support the Mine Ban Treaty.” He explained that it could not attend the meetings due to other priorities and a lack of funds.^[3] Lesotho voted in favor of UN General Assembly Resolution 57/74 on 22 November 2002, calling for the universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. Lesotho does not use, produce, or stockpile antipersonnel mines, and is not mine-affected.^[4]

[1] Article 7 Report, 30 April 2003 (for the period April 2002-April 2003); Article 7 Report, 17 August 2000 (unspecified time period).
[2] Article 7 Report, Form A, 30 April 2003.
[3] Interview with a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, Maseru, 12 March 2003.
[4] Interview with Brigadier A. M. Mofolisa, Brigade Commander (Head of Operations), Lesotho Defense Force (LDF), Maseru, 12 March 2003.