LM Report 2004

Tonga

The Kingdom of Tonga has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. In June 2003, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs told Landmine Monitor that steps were underway to do so, and stated that the Cabinet and Privy Council could approve accession, as Tonga’s treaty-making laws do not require a consideration of the issue by Parliament.^[1] As of June 2004, no information was available regarding the status of preparations for accession. In March 2001, a government representative told Landmine Monitor, “The Prime Minister has initiated a process to accede to the treaty and fully supports the ban on antipersonnel mines.”^[2] As it has done in previous years, Tonga voted in support of UN General Assembly Resolution 58/53 on 8 December 2003. In August 2001, a government representative confirmed to Landmine Monitor that Tonga has never produced, transferred, or stockpiled antipersonnel mines.^[3]

[1] Fax from Suka Mangisi, for the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, 5 June 2003.
[2] Interview with Suka Mangisi, Legal Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tonga, Wellington, 27 March 2001.
[3] Fax from Falekava Kupu for the Acting Chief Secretary and Secretary for Cabinet, Prime Minister’s Office, 14 August 2001.