The past year has shown civil society remains a defining force in humanitarian disarmament, bringing ideas, critical thinking and moral commitment to multilateral fora.
These successes have been in spite of ever more challenges for civil society engagement and participation. The ICBL-CMC has strived to ensure the meaningful participation of civil society, as an active Observer to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) and Mine Ban Treaty (MBT) dialogues and formal meetings. I invite you to visit our website to see our contributions to those meetings, here and here.
We're taking lessons from the last year forward as we prepare for 2022, to tackle with new vigour the harm caused by cluster munitions and landmines. We welcome working closely with State partners to promote the recently adopted Lausanne Action Plan, under United Kingdom leadership, and supporting progress on the Oslo Action Plan at its mid-way point, under the Colombia Presidency.
Next year is cause for special celebration for the ICBL-CMC: in 2022 the International Campaign to Ban Landmines is marking 30 years since the global coalition for a mine free world was founded and we will be reflecting on the successes of the past three decades.
The Campaign to Ban Landmines has been a cornerstone of humanitarian disarmament, inspiring humanitarian initiatives to free the world of nefarious weapons, from cluster munitions to nuclear weapons. And 2022 also marks 25 years since the Mine Ban Treaty was signed into law with critical support from civil society, for which the ICBL, together with Jodie Williams, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. This will be a key moment for decision making and action to speed mine clearance efforts, as we approach States' mine-free 2025 aspirational goal.
We look forward to celebrating our successes in the coming year, and to working in earnest with our global humanitarian disarmament partners to ensure that future anniversaries will be occasion for lauding the advent of a mine-free world.
CMC Ambassador, Branislav Kapetanović addressing the Convention on Cluster Munitions Second Review Conference.
Convention on Cluster Munitions
The Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) joined States and other mine action partners to participate in Part II of the Second Review Conference, September 20-21. See here information on ICBL-CMC contributions, as well as links to the Lausanne Action Plan and other conference outcome documents.
The CMC welcomes working with the United Kingdom Presidency in the new year on key objectives including:
Increasing the number of States Parties by 10MSP;
Further stigmatization of cluster munitions;
Increasing visibility of the Convention.
ICBL Global Network Video Message on occasion of the 19th Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty.
Mine Ban Treaty
The 19th Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty took place 15-19 November 2021 in a fully virtual format. You can see ICBL statements here, and watch ICBL video presentations to the 19MSP, here. Read the ICBL 19MSP closing statementhereand listen to member voices from affected countries, calling on States to Finish the Job of mine clearance as soon as possible.
The ICBL welcomes working with the Colombia Mine Ban Treaty Presidency in 2022 to address priorities including:
Reducing the disturbing increase in mine casualties;
The global launch of the Landmine Monitor 2021 report took place on 10 November in conjunction with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR). You can see a recording of the launch here. Read the full report, and download, press release, major findings, infographics and maps here.
Investing in Action Small Grant Programme
Investing in Action provides support, for advocacy on universalization and implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Mine Ban Treaty, as well as for survivor rights networks, at national level.
See below some of the activities recently carried out by Investing in Action grantees.
Iraqi Alliance for Disability Organizations presentation on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, part of national advocacy on rights of survivors and inclusion, under the Mine Ban Treaty and Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Congolese Campaign to Ban Landmines activities in 2021 included landmine/explosive remnants of war Risk Education efforts, and advocating with government authorities to ratify the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Ban Landmines Nepal carried out mapping and capacity building among survivor networks throughout the year.
Explosive Ordnance Network of Survivors (formerly Gulu Amuru Landmine Survivors Association) in northern Uganda, facilitated access to orthopedic services and conducted mapping of survivor experiences to improve data on victim assistance.
The Indian Campaign to Ban Landmines was able to resume its advocacy efforts for Mine Ban accession and survivor rights in 2021, following COVID related restrictions in 2020.
Italian Legislation to Ban Financing for Cluster Bomb/Landmine Producers
After more than 11 years and four parliamentary passages, the Italian Chamber of Deputies has approved a bill to ban financing by financial intermediaries of companies that produce anti-personnel mines and cluster bombs. The bill is pending signature by the President. Congratulations to member, Italian Campaign to Ban Landmines on this fruit of much hard work! See more information here.
With great sadness we said goodbye in November, to dear friend and campaigner Amílcar Antonio Duran, Fundación Red de Sobrevivientes Director and champion of rights for mine survivors and all persons with disabilities. Our deepest condolences go out to family, friends and colleagues at Fundación Red de Sobrevivientes, on Amílcar's passing. You can read more about Amílcar's work here.
The ICBL-CMC has been striving for many years to rid the world of landmines and cluster munitions. Campaigning, strategizing, mobilizing states, raising awareness, condemning use, investigating and monitoring international community response to the landmine and cluster munition situation, are a few examples of our work in action.
ICBL-CMC's Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor is the leading resource for information on communities affected by the weapons.
We are a civil society network of organizations working in over 100 countries and bringing together landmine and cluster munition survivors and other members of the mine action community, to put an end to the suffering caused by these weapons.
ICBL-CMC played a critical role in the creation of both the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and was instrumental in ensuring that civil society, and the rights of survivors, be included in the treaties. The campaign was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 as a result of this work.
We believe that a world free of landmines and cluster munitions, where the rights and needs of victims are guaranteed, is not only possible, but inevitable. We invite you to join us in making a mine-free world a reality.
Italian Legislation to Ban Financing for Cluster Bomb/Landmine Producers
