Critical Mine

Landmine Action and Critical Concerns

Posted: Tuesday, April 6, 2010 by CM Sapper in

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On April 4th, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, made a statement for the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. Ki-moon highlighted the catastrophic long-term effects of landmines and explosive remnants of wars. He also talked about some of the international UN-coordinated efforts, including the Ottawa treaty which bans the usage, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines (aka. AP mines) by only the signing parties. Interestingly enough but unsurprisingly, 3 out of the 5 permanent UN members still have not signed the now 13 year old treaty. Other notable names on the 36 non-signatory state list include the two Koreas, India , Pakistan, and undoubtedly Israel. Although some of these countries already comply with some of the clauses in the treaty, not formally signing it undermines the international will that aims to protect civilians in post-war zones.

By 1999, the treaty became recognized internationally as 40 states, led by Canada, were already on the signatory state list. Since then, more than 80% of the world states have either ratified or acceded. This international recognition is growing, as countries like Afghanistan and Angola still have over 10 Million implanted landmines each. In 2008 alone, the number of casualties worldwide was about 5,200, while the danger of potential victims in future years stands still. Also, not to mention these mines block access to schools and usage of farms, which are the main sources of support for many families in the affected regions. Clearly, these results seriously violate basic human rights, like the right to life and security.

Although they are not bound by the treaty, the 36 countries that have not signed were already on top of the AP mine production and usage lists. This is not a thing of the past either, as Russia and Myanmar were caught using those on multiple occasions in recent years, while 13 of the 36 countries still produce landmines, including the United States, which not only produces and stockpiles them but also develops new landmine systems for potential future usage. While the current universality is wide enough for international recognition and has already resulted in good progress that includes the destruction of 44 million AP mines, the negligence of some of the supposed world leaders in acceding and complying with the treaty puts the international effort in jeopardy, as it discourages the rest of the unbound countries like Egypt, Lebanon, Georgia, and Uzbekistan from joining the treaty. Furthermore, this non-compliance does not do good to the excessive usage of mines by the non-state groups in these countries, where often the state and these armed groups are in conflict.

Albert Schweitzer once said, "Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing", but when the global powers decide to deviate from the sensible direction and lead the world to its self destruction, and mines have their small but fair contribution there, then I would not be very hopeful in a soon to come major global shift that upholds humanity as its main principle. All in all though, focus should be given to the efforts of international cooperation, but while still internally and externally pressuring the other countries through all possible means, including political and economic influence to adopt landmine action conventions such as the Ottawa Treaty.

1 comments:

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   Vincent Seward says:

   April 10, 2010 at 1:38 PM

   the states aint got no time for no such treaty, they're too busy with Iran right now