The Hidden Dangers of Land Mines

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The Hidden Dangers of Land Mines

Encyclopdia Britannica Article

First and foremost, we should fight for the universalization of the Ottawa
land mine ban treaty. The Ottawa Convention, which became international
law in March 1999, prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and
transfer of antipersonnel mines. Member states must also destroy existing
mines within 10 years of the state's entry into the convention.
Land mines are weapons of mass destruction in slow motion. By their
nature, they do not discriminate between civilians and combatants, and
they contravene international humanitarian law.

The Ottawa Convention, which came into force faster than any other arms
control treaty in history, is the first to encompass humanitarian obligations
to the victims. The treaty requires state parties to provide assistance for
the care, rehabilitation, and socioeconomic reintegration of mine victims.
In July 1998 Jordan hosted the First Middle East Conference on Landmine
Injury and Rehabilitation, bringing together the largest group of land mine
casualties ever gathered in one place. The conference galvanized support
in the region, which is home to half of all land mines in the world.
With each new signature and ratification of the Ottawa Convention,
another phase in the struggle against the hidden killers begins. Mine
action programs must be comprehensive, encompassing mine awareness,
surveying, marking, mine clearance, reclaimed land usage, and victim
assistance.

De-mining has received worldwide attention and fundingeven from

governments that have not signed or ratified the Ottawa Convention, such
as the United Statesbut there is still no comprehensive and coordinated
long-term approach to humanitarian assistance. Every month around 800
people are killed and 1,200 maimed by land minesoften the victims are
children attracted by their toylike shapes and colors. A new tragedy occurs
every 20 minutes.
As for those countries and military officers who still believe land mines
make a difference in conflict, studies endorsed by top military officials
have shown they simply do not work. Examining 26 conflicts since 1940,
the study found that antipersonnel mines played no significant role in the
outcome of any of them.

The land mine treaty set a model for global commitment and activism that
we hope will succeed in dealing with small arms proliferation. God willing,
if we all join forces, we will be able to walk without fear in a mine-free

12/1/2015 8:35 PM

The Hidden Dangers of Land Mines

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world in the new millennium.

Noor al-ussein
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