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Background
The Mine Ban Treaty was opened for signature in Ottawa, Canada on 03-04 December 1997. Treaty obligations include:
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A prohibition to use, produce, stockpile or trade antipersonnel mines, as well as assisting or encouraging anyone involved in these activities (Article 1);
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The destruction of stockpiled antipersonnel mines within four years of the treaty’s entry into force for the concerned state (Article 4);
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The destruction of all mines from all mined areas under the state’s jurisdiction or control, within 10 years (Article 5);
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The provision of assistance for the care and rehabilitation, and social and economic reintegration, of mine victims and for mine awareness programs (Article 6.3).
Thirty-nine states have not adhered to the treaty yet. These include two states that signed the treaty in 1997 but have not yet ratified it (Marshall Islands and Poland), three out of five permanent members of the UN Security Council (China, Russia, USA) as well as regional powers including India, Iran, Israel and Pakistan.
Ninth Anniversary Marked with Seminar at IIC
01 March 2008 marked the 9th anniversary of the International Mine Ban Treaty. The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Antipersonnel Mines and on their Destruction (Mine Ban Treaty) entered into force on 01 March 1999. The Mine Ban Treaty was spearheaded by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work in 1997.
Since its inception, 80 percent or 156 countries worldwide have signed the Mine Ban Treaty. However, fewer than 40 countries remain outside the Treaty. Along with the US, Russia, China and Pakistan, India has yet to sign the treaty. In 2007, only two governments – Myanmar and Russia – and a handful of non-state armed groups employed these weapons. Nine years after the Mine Ban Treaty’s entry into force, international rejection of antipersonnel mines is all but universal and great strides are being made in the implementation of provisions calling for the clearance of mined areas, the destruction of stockpiled mines and the assistance to victims.
India continues to remain in the disarmament world’s spotlight as an active producer of antipersonnel landmines, maintaining a stockpile of at least 40 million of this indiscriminate weapon. Although there has been no reported government use of landmines last year, many remain in the Indian soil from past conflicts. In this past year alone there have been an estimated 107 casualties of landmines and other explosive remnants of war in India.
India, along with Russia, China and Pakistan, remains one of the largest producers, even if not an active user, of antipersonnel landmines in the world. Internationally, only 13 countries produce antipersonnel mines, many of which are taking measures to reduce their mine production. With the 5th largest stockpile in the world, India is far from becoming a mine free nation. Maj Gen Vinod Saighal pointed out, “The chances of Indian Army stopping the use the Anti-personnel mines by 2020 is zero,” while calling for the need to focus on the increasing use of Anti-Personnel Mines by Non-state actors.
At the 8th States Parties Meeting on anti-personnel landmines that was held in Jordan in November 2007, India declared that the humanitarian concern which is espoused by the anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention has universal appeal and that India shares the noble vision of a mine free world. India mentioned that it will consider joining the Anti Personnel Mine Ban Convention whenever militarily effective alternatives that can perform cost effectively, the legitimate defensive role of anti personnel landmines become available.
“While the government is fully sensitised to humanitarian aspects of the landmine problem, there is a compelling need to address the issue comprehensively. Landmines do not ensure security of any nation; they only spawn human misery” said Retired Ambassador Satnam Jit Singh, Diplomatic Advisor to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. “If over 80 percent of members of the international community can ensure security of their borders without using anti-personnel mines, surely India also can. There is no need to have another weapon system to replace landmines. What is needed is a change in mindset and a change in defence doctrine,” said former Ambassador Jit Singh. “When 156 governments clearly say no use of anti-personnel mines, India should also do the same” said Vincent Nicod, ICRC.
The Indian civil society appeals to the Government of India to make the issue of increasing use of landmines and the casualties caused by them known to the public. We also call for strengthening mine risk education in several mine affected areas so that citizens are aware of these issues.
“India does not use dumdum bullets, or biological nor chemicals weapons, so why not India stop using landmines too?” says Air Cmde Prashant Dikshit, security analyst. There is also a greater need to provide holistic rehabilitation programmes to those affected by the landmines. We also call upon the Government of India to show its commitment to the issue by being a signatory to the Mine Ban Treaty. According to Binalakshmi Nepram, Secretary General of Control Arms Foundation of India, “India as an emerging global power has global responsibilities and it is important that India continues to participate sincerely in the global efforts to make the world mine free by signing the Mine Ban Treaty.”
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