+   *    +     +     
About Us 
The Issues 
Our Research Products 
Order Publications 
Multimedia 
Press Room 
Resources for Monitor Researchers 
ARCHIVES HOME PAGE 
    >
 
Table of Contents
Country Reports
Brunei Darussalam, Landmine Monitor Report 2004

Brunei Darussalam

Key developments since May 2003: Brunei has shown new interest in the Mine Ban Treaty since 2003, attending several meetings including the Fifth Meeting of States Parties. As of August 2004, the ratification process has reportedly progressed and is in its final stage.

Brunei Darussalam signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 4 December 1997, but has not yet ratified. According to diplomatic sources, the ratification process has progressed and as of August 2004 is reportedly in its final stage.[1]

Brunei participated in the Ottawa Process meetings and treaty negotiations only as an observer, before deciding to sign. From 1999 until September 2002, Brunei did not attend any Mine Ban Treaty meetings, except for the Second Meeting of States Parties in September 2000. In the past, the military indicated that it wanted to retain the option to use antipersonnel mines and stated that the security environment was not ideal for ratification.[2] However, Brunei has voted in favor of every pro-ban UN General Assembly resolution since 1996, including UNGA Resolution 58/53 on 8 December 2003.

Brunei has shown new interest in the Mine Ban Treaty since 2003. Representatives of Brunei participated in a regional seminar on landmines held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in March 2003. Canada's Ambassador for Mine Action, Ross Hynes, led a mission to Brunei to discuss aspects of the Mine Ban Treaty with high-level officials in the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs in May 2003. The mission was successful in clarifying matters related to treaty obligations, and Brunei officials gave assurances of future progress toward ratification. The Brunei military expressed concerns that it would have to destroy its Claymore mines. It was explained that Claymore mines are not prohibited in command-detonated mode and the Permanent Secretary of Defense stated that the military only deploys Claymore mines in command-detonated mode. Canada has provided Brunei with a sample instrument of ratification and a model of implementation legislation.[3]

A delegation from Brunei attended the Fifth Meeting of States Parties in Bangkok in September 2003, and the Preparatory Meetings for the First Review Conference in Geneva in February and June 2004. A new Permanent Secretary for Policy and Administration of the Ministry of Defense was appointed who will oversee policies on the landmine issue.[4]

Brunei has stated that it has never used, produced, or exported antipersonnel mines, but has a small stockpile.[5] In 1984 Brunei imported 600 M-18A1 Claymore mines from the United States.[6] Brunei is not mine-affected. Brunei has never contributed to international mine action programs.


[1] Email from Sumita Dixit, Program Coordinator–Asia, Mine Action Team, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), Canada, 6 August 2004. According to other diplomatic sources, the relevant ministries are in agreement and have recommended ratification, but there may be some administrative delays, possibly in relation to necessary changes in legislation.
[2]Interview with Ministry of Defense officials, 11 February 1999. See Landmine Monitor Report 2000, p. 449, for more details.
[3] Email from Sumita Dixit, DFAIT, 22 June 2004.
[4]YDM Pehin Dato Singa Manteri Col. Datu Paduka Haji Mhd Yasmin Bin Haji Omar is the new Permanent Secretary for Policy and Administration. This information was provided through his staff by telephone, 11 March 2004.
[5] Interview with Ministry of Defense officials, 11 February 1999.
[6] See Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 385.