Key developments since 1999: Liechtenstein ratified the Mine Ban
Treaty on 5 October 1999, and became a State Party to on 1 April 2000. National
implementation legislation was passed by Parliament on 9 September 1999.
Liechtenstein declares that it has never produced, stockpiled or used
antipersonnel mines, and is not mine-affected. Liechtenstein has reported that
its contributions to mine action from 1996-2001 totaled more than $250,000.
Mine Ban Policy
Liechtenstein signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997 and ratified it
on 5 October 1999, becoming a State Party on 1 April 2000. Liechtenstein first
expressed its support for an immediate and total ban on antipersonnel mines in
April 1996, during the Review Conference of the Convention on Conventional
Weapons. It has voted for every annual pro-ban UN General Assembly resolution
since 1996. It participated in Ottawa Process and the Oslo negotiating
conference in September 1997. Since entry into force, Liechtenstein has only
attended one annual Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty, in
September 2000, and none of the intersessional meetings.
National implementation legislation was passed by Parliament on 9 September
1999.[1] Liechtenstein
submitted its annual Article 7 transparency report on 28 April 2004, confirming
that information from earlier reports is unchanged. Four previous Article 7
reports have been submitted.[2]
The Article 7 report of 14 May 2002 stated that the “provisions of the
Convention are fully implemented.... Due to the fact that Liechtenstein has
never produced, stockpiled or used anti-personnel landmines, there is nothing to
report... and no implementing measures have been
necessary.”[3]
No financial contributions to mine action by Liechtenstein in 2003 were
recorded by the UN Mine Action Service
(UNMAS).[4] In May 2002,
Liechtenstein reported that its contributions to mine action from 1996-2001
totaled CHF380,000
[US$253,333].”[5] A
further CHF200,000 was donated from private
sources.[6]
Liechtenstein is party to Amended Protocol II of the Convention on
Conventional Weapons. It did not attend the Fifth Annual Conference of the
States Parties to the Protocol in November 2003, but has attended the annual
conferences in previous years. On 31 October 2003, Liechtenstein submitted the
annual report required by Article 13 of the Protocol, which states that
Liechtenstein “has never used, stockpiled or produced any sort of mines.
There are no mines placed on the territory of Liechtenstein. The provisions [of
Amended Protocol II and the Mine Ban Treaty] have been completely
implemented.”[7] Article
13 reports have been submitted in previous years.
[1] Ordinance on the Indirect Transfer of
War Material, LGBL. 1999 No.185, prohibits activities enabling the production,
buying, selling or transfer of war material, including antipersonnel mines.
Article 7 Report, Form A, 18 September 2000 (reporting period not stated). The
Swiss Federal Law on War Material of 13 December 1996, which includes penal
sanctions, is also applicable in Liechtenstein, due to the Custom Union
Treaty. [2] See Article 7 Reports
submitted: 28 April 2004 (for calendar year 2003); April 2003 (for calendar year
2002); 14 May 2002 (reporting period not stated); 3 October 2001 (reporting
period not stated); 18 September 2000 (reporting period not
stated). [3] Article 7 Report, 14 May
2002. [4] Mine Action Investments
database, www.mineaction.org , accessed
on 21 July 2004. [5] Article 7 Report,
General Remarks, 14 May 2002. Exchange rate at 3 July 2002:
US$1=CHF1.50. [6] Article 7 Report,
General Remarks, 18 September
2000. [7] CCW Amended Protocol II
Article 13 Report, General Remarks, 31 October 2003.