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.