Country & Territory Reports - Landmine Action

Foreword
The last decade has seen significant developments in both the preventative and remedial structures for reducing the postconflict
impact of war on civilians. Under the Ottawa Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty a large number of countries have
outlawed the use of anti-personnel mines. Protocol V to the Convention on Conventional Weapons, sets out a legal
framework for tackling the humanitarian impact of abandoned and unexploded ordnance (explosive remnants of war).
Backed by generous support from donor nations, the development of the “mine action sector” has seen an improved international
capacity to find and eradicate both mines and ordnance. There remain, however, key areas of outstanding need.
This report examines the impact of explosive remnants of war (ERW) and mines other than anti-personnel mines (MOTAPM)
on civilian populations internationally. It is made up of 88 summary reports on individual countries or disputed territories
affected by these contaminants. The report serves as a contribution towards further understanding of the problems these
forms of post-conflict contamination cause, and of the mechanisms available for mitigating these problems.
Drawing on the findings of this and other research, Landmine Action, Actiongroup Landmine.de and Mines Action Canada
continue to advocate for improved preventative measures and remedial responses to protect civilians in the aftermath of
conflict. Cluster munitions and MOTAPM both cause predictable problems for civilian populations either during or after
conflict. More broadly, remedial responses to long-term ERW contamination can be further developed if the problem of
ordnance is seen in the wider contexts of security sector reform, community safety and poverty.
Protocol V of the Convention on Conventional Weapons, if adopted and implemented, presents a valuable basis for dealing
with existing ordnance contamination and reducing problematic future contamination from ERW. However, in the interests of
civilian protection, further action is required. Landmine Action, Actiongroup Landmine.de and Mines Action Canada will
continue to advocate for the development and implementation of the strongest possible measures to address these
problems. It is hoped that this report will serve as a useful contribution to the knowledge and understanding that underpins
this common endeavour.
erw and motapm – global survey 2003–2004