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Africa Policy E-Journal
Africa: Landmine Treaty Ratification +++++++++++++++++++++Document Profile+++++++++++++++++++++
Region: Continent-Wide For more background on the treaty and related issues,see the ICBL web site (http://www.icbl.org), as well as other resources cited on the Africa Policy web site (http://www.africapolicy.org/action/lmine.htm). +++++++++++++++++end profile++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Liz Bernstein, Coordinator Please Note New Address for ICBL Coordinator! Dear all, As you may know, 1 March 2000 is the first anniversary of the entry into force of the treaty banning landmines. We at the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) as well as our colleagues at UNICEF and ICRC are launching a campaign to encourage maximum ratification by signatory states by 1 March 2000. We are undertaking and urge all of you to participate in:
In addition to the impetus of the anniversary date, it is also important to mention that those who ratify or accede by 1 March 2000 will be able to participate at the Second Meeting of States Parties in Geneva in September 2000 as full states parties. In order to target our efforts, we've drawn up a list of some priorities, although of course it is important to get ALL 47 signatories to ratify. Below is a list suggesting some priorities in AFRICA. We urge you to write all of them, or at least those in your region, to select a few of those you deem important, perhaps neighboring countries or those sharing a language or special relationship with your country, and visit their embassy, call the embassy, call your government leaders and encourage them to urge these countries to ratify. For AFRICA: 21 states have not yet ratified. We will focus on 16 of those before 1 March -- Botswana, Cape Verde, Cote D'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Mauritania, Sao Tome, Seychelles, Togo, Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia. Cameroon, Gambia and Togo have apparently completed domestic steps and need simply to forward the ratification instruments to the UN in New York by 1 March, and Cote d'Ivoire has nearly done so. Urge them to do so ASAP! For universalization, we'll focus on Nigeria [which has not yet signed the treaty]. During an event and trip by Jody Williams last September, they indicated 'the wheels were in motion for accession' and now is the time to ensure those wheels are moving, and complete accession. We will visit Nigerian embassies in London, Paris and Washington, among others. Below is the sample letter, also on line, followed by addresses. Thanks for your ACTION! Liz Bernstein
Foreign Minister 26 January 2000 Dear Foreign Minister: The first of March marks the first anniversary of the entry into force of the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (Mine Ban Treaty). As you certainly know, governments have signed and ratified this Treaty more quickly than any other of its kind in history -- and we in the International Campaign to Ban Landmines congratulate all those who have been part of this historic movement to eradicate this indiscriminate weapon. But our work is far from over and we must remain vigilant to maintain the momentum of the ban movement. Thus, the ICBL set a target of at least 100 ratifications by 1 March. We have been strongly encouraging treaty signatories to ratify by 1 March as a demonstration of their commitment to completely eliminate antipersonnel mines. Up to and on this day, ICBL members will hold activities worldwide to promote urgent ratification, as well as universalization and effective implementation of the treaty, and increased funding for mine action and victim assistance. Our goal is within reach as we now stand at 90 ratifications! As a treaty signatory, your government has been among the leaders in the ban effort -- but it remains among the 47 governments that have not yet ratified. We are writing now to encourage you to work for the ratification of the Mine Ban Treaty by 1 March. Not only does this mark an important date in the ban movement, but signatory states that ratify on or before 1 March 2000 will be able to participate in the Second Meeting of States Parties in Geneva 11-15 September 2000 as full states parties. Signing the Treaty is obviously an important step -- but ratification by all signatory states is critical. We ask that you join the other 90 countries that have already done so and undertake the necessary domestic steps to ensure the letter as well as the spirit of the treaty are respected and enshrined through ratification. By undertaking your full legal obligations, you will help to solidify the international norm against any possession or use of antipersonnel mines, and will leave no doubts about your government's commitment to abolishing antipersonnel mines urgently and as a top priority. The true test of success of the Mine Ban Treaty will be when it is universalized and makes a difference for those affected by landmines, and when survivors are assisted and land safely restored to the people who depend on it. This can only happen when each country takes responsibility for full and effective implementation of the treaty, including immediate ratification. If there is anything we can do to assist with your ratification process, please let us know. We would appreciate any information you can provide to us on the status of ratification in your country. We look forward to continued cooperation in our common struggle to eradicate antipersonnel mines forever. Thank you. Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Bernstein CC: ICBL Country Campaign Contacts
List of Addresses of African Foreign Ministers of signatories who have not yet ratified:
Mr. Yousef Yousfi
Joao Bernardo de Miranda
Hon. Mompati Merahfe, Lt. Gen. (Ret)
Hon. Severin Ntahomvukiye
Hon. Augustin Kontchou Kouomegni
Hon. Jose Luis Jesus
Hon. Amara Essy
Hon. Seyoum Mesfin
Hon. Jean Ping
Dr. Momodou Lamin Sedat
Hon. James Victor Gbeho
Mr. Jose Pereira Baptista
M. Bonaya A. Godana
M. Ahmed Ould Sid Ahmed
Hon. Augustin Iyamuremye
Hon. Paulo Jorge Rodrigues Do Espirito Santo
Hon. Jeremie Bonnelame
Dr. Sama S. Banya
Mr. Mustafa Osman Ismail
M. Jakaya Kikwete
Post Office Box 9000
Mr. Joseph Kokou Koffigoh
Boite Postale 900
Mr. Sipakeli Walubita
and NIGERIA to accede to the treaty:
Mr. Sule Lamido
Sign & Ratify the Treaty * Clear Mines * Help Survivors
Documents previously distributed in the e-journal are
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Africa Policy E-Journal
