LM Report 2003

Paraguay

Paraguay signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997, ratified on 13 November 1998 and the treaty entered into force on 1 May 1999. The government maintains that Law No. 1.910, the Law of Firearms, Munitions and Explosives, adopted on 1 May 2002, ensures strict domestic application and observance of all aspects of the Mine Ban Treaty.^[1]

Paraguay participated in the Fourth Meeting of States Parties in September 2002, but it did not attend any intersessional Standing Committee meetings in 2003.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Landmine Monitor that the annual Article 7 Report, due 30 April 2003, is in preparation even though there have been no new developments in 2002 or 2003.^[2] This will be the country’s third Article 7 report.^[3] The Ministry stated that it missed several reports because there was no new information to report, but will continue to submit reports in the future.^[4]

On 22 November 2002, Paraguay voted in support of UN General Assembly Resolution 57/74, promoting the universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty.

Paraguay is not believed to have ever produced, transferred or used antipersonnel mines. It states that it has no stockpiled antipersonnel mines, including for training purposes.^[5] Paraguay is not mine-affected.

[1] Fax Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of International Organizations, 24 May 2002; Article 7 Report, Form I, 18 October 2002.
[2] Fax Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of International Organizations, 28 March 2003.
[3] See Article 7 Report, 18 October 2002 (for the period 1 January-6 June 2002); Article 7 Report, 13 June 2001 (for the period 17 December 2000-1 May 2001). Also, in December 1999, Landmine Monitor received an initial Article 7 report from Paraguay, dated 17 November 1999, which was never officially submitted to the United Nations.
[4] Fax Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 28 March 2003.
[5] Article 7 Report, 18 October 2002; Article 7 Report, 13 June 2001.