Despite US Refusal to Sign On, Global Landmine Treaty Working

Despite US Refusal to Sign On, Global Landmine Treaty Working
2012 11 30

Syria sole country to employ deadly mines in 2012; US among few countries still maintaining right to produce them

Only a single government—Syria’s—continued to actively deploy new landmines in 2012 while the number of countries rejecting use of of the deadly weapons increased worldwide, according to the latest annual report released Thursday by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL).

"This represents a milestone for us: having only one country using antipersonnel mines," Mark Hiznay, editor of the report for the ICBL, told reporters in Geneva at the unveiling of the 2012 Landmine Monitor Report. Calling the development "good news," Hiznay said progress being made on the issue was "a testament to the achievements of the Mine Ban Treaty over the past 15 years."

Clearance operations next to a school in the Democratic Republic of Congo in May 2011.

Despite what campaigners called positive improvements by world governments, the ICBL report notes that the US continues to be the most powerful outlier among a handful of nations that continue to defend their right to produce such weapons.

And cautioning against undue celebration, Hizney said that despite the "great gains" made towards achieving a mine-free world, "eliminating the daily impact landmines have on countless communities will require a sustained international effort for years to come.”

The last time only one country was determined to have employed landmines was in 1997, the year the international Mine Ban Treaty originated. Hiznay said the finding is a significant change from last year, when four governments (Israel, Libya, Myanmar and Syria) were found to have laid mines.

With Finland, South Sudan and Somalia signing onto the treaty this year, the list of countries rejecting landmines continues to grow, showing both the success of the ICBL’s global campaign and the treaty itself. Currently, all sub-Saharan African countries have joined the Mine Ban Treaty, according to the report, with 160 countries around the world party to the treaty.

[...]

Read the full article at: commondreams.org

Share |

Latest News from our Front Page

The Ata ’Alien’ Humanoid May Have An Earthling Cousin
2013 05 24
When a new documentary promised to unveil DNA tests on a 6-inch-tall humanoid found 10 years ago in Chile, everyone weighed in with an opinion. UFO researchers hoped this might finally be proof of alien visitations. Skeptics were sure it was nothing more than shameless movie promotion. The latest ripple in this controversy might be the most bizarre turn yet. And by "ripple," ...

Shocking new theory: Humans hunted, ate Neanderthals
2013 05 24
Red Ice Creations Note: To hear the flip side of this theory, tune into Red Ice Radio with guest Danny Vendramini , where "Neanderthal Predation Theory" and human origins is examined. Vendramini argues that Neanderthals were the top ’apex’ predators, and humans were the prey. Danny Vendramini - Hour 1 - Them & Us: Neanderthal Predation Theory Science.NBC Humans today eat gorillas and ...

Deadly Drug Trials: Western Firms Bribed East German Doctors
2013 05 24
It wasn’t just the East German government that benefited from risky patient drug trials commissioned by Western pharmaceutical manufacturers decades ago. These companies also sent liaisons with lavish gifts to bribe and influence doctors to participate. The presents always came in the springtime. When the representatives of Western pharmaceutical companies arrived at the Leipzig Trade Fair, they made sure that East ...

Home Secretary secretly strips two more people of British citizenship
2013 05 24
The Home Secretary has stripped at least two additional individuals of their British citizenship in recent months, the Bureau has learned. In February, an investigation by the Bureau and published with the Independent revealed that Theresa May had signed deprivation of citizenship orders for 16 people between the 2010 election and November 2012, including five British-born individuals. That total has now ...

Mahatma Gandhi’s blood fails to sell at auction
2013 05 24
Famous pacifist Mahatma Gandhi didn’t like to spill any when he was alive so it is quite ironic a sample of his blood was put up for sale in a recent auction. In the end the activist’s body fluid was not sold as no-one was able to meet the £10,000 ($15,155) reserve price. Gandhi’s blood had been available to buy after being ...

More News »