The Ottawa Convention
The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, known as well as the Ottawa Convention, is the cornerstone of the international effort to end the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel (AP) mines.
The Convention was concluded by the Diplomatic Conference on an International Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Land Mines at Oslo on 18 September 1997. In accordance with its article 15, the Convention was opened for signature at Ottawa, Canada, by all States from 3 December 1997 until 4 December 1997, and remained open thereafter at the United Nations Headquarters in New York until its entry into force. As of 1 April 2009, 156 states had joined the Convention. To see all the member states, click here.
The Convention provides a framework for mine action, seeking both to end existing suffering and to prevent future suffering. The Convention bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines. In addition, states that accede to the Convention accept that they will destroy both stockpiled and emplaced anti-personnel mines and assist the victims of mines.
The Convention text is available here .
Further information about the Ottawa Convention on http://www.apminebanconvention.org/.
Information about the non-governmental organizations, dealing with the problems of landmines:
- Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) was mandated by the State Parties in 2001 to establish the Implement Support Unit (providing services and professional support to the AP Mine Ban Convention and its States Parties)
- International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) which publishes the important Landmine Monitor Report analysing the implementation of the State Parties‘ implementation of the Ottawa Convention.
- E-Mine - Electronic Mine Information Network
- Swiss Fondation for Mine Action
The Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU
Under the Czech Presidency, the meeting of Standing Committees of the Ottawa Convention will be held during the week 25 – 29 May 2009.
For the time being, the Czech Presidency cooperates with the AP Mine Ban Convention Implement Support Unit, Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining, in terms of the EU Joint Action on the universalisation and implementation of the APM Ban Convention.