Political attitude to landmines
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Attitude of the United Nations (UN) to landmines
UNICEF & Landmines
Germany's attitude to landmines
Ottawa contract
Germany's industry interests
Germany's support for mine action
Every year the website Landmine & Cluster Monition Monitor reports in detail the support to mine action of all contributors. In these reports Germany is one of the biggest contributors in supporting countries which are affected from mine action. The funding is given to a viarity of countries for clearance, survey, risk education, operations and victim assistence. Germany does not only support mine action, it directs also their contribution to countries where explosive remnants of war (ERW), including cluster munition remnants. Another fundings are also going towards conferences.[1]
Ottawa Conference 1997
In December 1997, representatives of more than 120 countries, signed the so-called Ottawa Treaty. The conference was held in Ottawa, Canada. The agreement can be seen as success of a civil society campaign in cooperation with several state governments. The success of the Ottawa process would not have been possible without the dedicated work of the united from various organizations the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). Among the organizations are the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and worldwide operations of many NGOs. They played a key role to put the mine problem in the consciousness of the international public. The ICBL was awarded for their commitment in October 1997 with the Nobel Peace Prize. By September 2007, the agreement has been ratified by 156 states. Among the 40 states that were not parties to that date, are such as Egypt, China, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, Russia, Syria and the U.S.. This voluntary Mine Ban Convention requires participating countries not to use antipersonnel landmines. They must also refrain from producing and trading. It is the first weapons ban, which was created under public pressure and public participation. But the Ottawa agreement has holes.
References
- ↑ Germany Support for Mine Action. Landmine & Cluster Monition Monitor
