KEY DEVELOPMENTS SINCE MARCH 2001

STATES PARTIES

ALBANIA: On 4 April 2002, Albania completed the destruction of its stockpile of 1,683,860 antipersonnel mines.  No mines are being retained for training or development purposes.  Albania has identified a total of 85 contaminated areas, totaling 14 million square meters of land.  Lack of funding has hampered clearance efforts.  During 2001, a total of 302,000 square meters of land was cleared, including 744 antipersonnel mines.  There were nine new mine and UXO casualties in 2001, a significant reduction from the previous year.  Albania submitted its initial Article 7 Report in April 2002.

ALGERIA: Algeria ratified the Mine Ban Treaty on 9 October 2001, and the treaty entered into force for Algeria on 1 April 2002.  An interministerial commission responsible for the landmine issue is being established.

ANGOLA:  Angola ratified the Mine Ban Treaty on 5 July 2002. There have been no reports of new use of antipersonnel mines since the April 2002 peace agreement.  The government created a new Inter-Sectoral Commission on Demining and Humanitarian Assistance to be responsible for policy-making, coordination of mine action and victim assistance, and the design of a new National Mine Action Plan.  According to the mine action NGOs operating in Angola, 6.8 million square meters of land were cleared during 2001.  A total of 339 mine and UXO accidents, resulting in 660 casualties, were reported in 2001, a significant decline from the year 2000. 

ARGENTINA:  Argentina told Landmine Monitor that of the 13,025 mines it had officially declared as retained for training purposes, 12,025 will be emptied of their explosive content to make inert “exercise mines.”  Argentina also reported for the first time that the Army will keep 1,160 FMK-1 antipersonnel mines to use as fuzes for antivehicle mines, apparently for training purposes.  The total number of reported stockpiled mines has increased by 7,343.  Stockpile destruction plans have been developed.  A documentary film appears to have established that mines are present on both the Argentine and Chilean side of the border.

AUSTRALIA:  Since September 2001, Australia has co-chaired the Mine Ban Treaty Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction.  It has helped other States Parties destroy stockpiled antipersonnel mines.  The Australian government and the Australian Network of the ICBL continued to work collaboratively to promote universalization of the Mine Ban Treaty, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.  Australia provided A$12 million (US$6.4 million) in mine action funding for financial year 2001-2002.

AUSTRIA: Austria continued to play an important role in promoting universalization and full implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty.  In September 2001, Austria was named as co-rapporteur of the Standing Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention.  While mine action funding had doubled in 2000, it returned in 2001 to its previous level of ATS 13.7 million (about $888,000).  Considerable funding has been pledged in 2002 for mine action in Afghanistan.

BANGLADESH:  Bangladesh established a National Committee on implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty in August 2001.  As of February 2002, a Bangladesh Army battalion was engaged in demining in Ethiopia as part of the UN peacekeeping mission.  In May 2002, Bangladesh attended the Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings for the first time.  It has not submitted its initial Article 7 Report, due 28 August 2001.

BELGIUM:  Belgium continued to play a leading role in promoting the universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty.  Belgium was approved by States Parties to preside over the Fourth Meeting of States Parties in Geneva in September 2002.  Belgium’s funding for mine action decreased in 2001.

BENIN:  In March 2002, Benin established an interministerial commission to draft Mine Ban Treaty implementing legislation.  France provided financial support for the establishment of a regional mine clearance training center in Benin.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA:  A new demining law was approved in February 2002.  Donors provided $16.6 million in mine action funding in 2001.  Demining operations cleared 5.5 to 6 million square meters of land in 2001, and 73.5 million square meters of land were surveyed.  A national Landmine Impact Survey is expected to start in November 2002.  There were 87 mine and UXO casualties in 2001, a reduction from 2000.

BOTSWANA: Botswana submitted its first Article 7 transparency report, officially declaring that it does not have a stockpile of antipersonnel mines, except for training purposes.

BRAZIL: On 31 October 2001, Brazil enacted national implementation legislation, Law 10.300.  After September 2001, Brazil began its stockpile destruction program and destroyed 13,194 mines by the end of the year.  The target for completion is July 2002.  Brazil is retaining 16,545 antipersonnel mines for training, the highest number of any State Party.  Brazil has made important interpretive statements on antivehicle mines with antihandling devices, on joint military operations with non-State Parties, and on foreign stockpiling and transit of antipersonnel mines.

BULGARIA:  An agreement with Turkey on the non-use of antipersonnel mines and their removal from their common border areas entered into force on 1 May 2002.  Bulgaria reported the completion of decommissioning of antipersonnel mine production facilities.  Bulgaria has provided detailed information to Landmine Monitor on its antivehicle mine stockpile and states that none of the mines it possesses are inconsistent with the Mine Ban Treaty.

BURKINA FASO:  Burkina Faso adopted a decree to incorporate the Mine Ban Treaty into domestic law on 2 May 2001. Although Burkina Faso possesses no stockpiles, it reserves the right to retain a maximum number of 500 antipersonnel mines.

CAMBODIA:  The Cambodia Landmine Impact Survey was completed in April 2002 and revealed that nearly half of all villages are either known or suspected to be contaminated by mines or UXO.  In 2001, a total of 21.8 million square meters of land was cleared, including 29,358 antipersonnel mines.  In 2001, there were 813 mine and UXO casualties.  Thousands of stockpiled mines continue to be discovered and destroyed.

CANADA: Canada continued to play a key leadership role in promoting universalization and full implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty.  It co-organized regional conferences in Malaysia, Thailand, and Tunisia.  It facilitated stockpile destruction in a number of countries.  It has served as co-chair of the Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and coordinated the Universalization Contact Group.  Government contributions to mine action programs rose significantly to C$27.7 million (US$17.9 million) in its fiscal year 2001/2002.

CHAD:  The results of the Landmine Impact Survey completed in May 2001 were published, revealing that a greater proportion of communities are severely impacted than initially projected, and their geographic distribution is unexpectedly wide. The LIS identified 417 contaminated areas covering a total of 1,801 million square meters of land; mines and UXO affect 249 communities, and a total of 284,435 persons.  Chad, for the first time, revealed that it has a stockpile of 2,803 mines.  It reported having destroyed 1,210 mines in June 2001 and April 2002.  Chad submitted its initial Article 7 Report, dated 12 December 2001, as well as a follow-up report, dated 29 April 2002.

CHILE:  Chile ratified the Mine Ban Treaty on 10 September 2001.  The Chilean Army destroyed 14,000 stockpiled antipersonnel mines on 13 September 2001.  Chile has announced that 50 percent of its stockpile will be destroyed by August 2002, and the rest by the end of 2003.  A National Demining Commission has been established.  Landmine Monitor field research has revealed problems with inadequate fencing and warning signs for minefields in some areas.  

COLOMBIA:  On 25 July 2002, national implementation legislation, including penal sanctions, came into effect.  On 8 October 2001, the government established a commission (CINAMA) to coordinate mine action and oversee implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. The government’s Antipersonnel Mine Observatory, within the Program for the Prevention of Antipersonnel Mine Accidents and Victim Assistance, became operational in 2001. On 15 March 2002, Colombia submitted its initial Article 7 transparency report.  Colombia reported a stockpile of 20,312 landmines.  Colombia is developing a National Plan for stockpile destruction and mine clearance and expects clearance to take 20 years.  Officials have stated that Army minefields around strategic sites will not be cleared while the war continues.  At least 256 of Colombia’s 1,097 municipalities in 28 of the 31 departments in the country are believed to be mine-affected. The government reports increased use of antipersonnel mines by non-State actors, including FARC, ELN, and AUC.  Mine casualties rose as the conflict intensified.  In the first ten months of 2001, 201 new landmine casualties were recorded; resulting in an average of approximately two casualties every three days.  In September 2001, at the Third Meeting of States Parties, Colombia was named as the co-rapporteur of the Standing Committee on Victim Assistance. 

REPUBLIC OF CONGO: The Mine Ban Treaty entered into force for the Republic of Congo on 1 November 2001.  The Republic of Congo has reported a stockpile of 5,092 landmines, 400 of which it will retain for training purposes.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO:  The Democratic Republic of Congo acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty on 2 May 2002.  On 2-3 May 2002, the government hosted an international workshop on the Mine Ban Treaty and mine action in the DRC.  Landmine Monitor has received an admission of on-going use of antipersonnel mines by the rebel Congolese Rally for Democracy, and allegations of use by Burundian forces.  Landmine Monitor is not aware of any allegations of use of antipersonnel mines by DRC government forces in the reporting period.  A Mine Action Coordination Center was established in February 2002.  As of July 2002, Handicap International Belgium was the only agency conducting humanitarian mine clearance or providing mine risk education in the DRC.

COSTA RICA: The demining program in Costa Rica has suffered a serious financial crisis since December 2001, which has resulted in a suspension of operations.  National implementation legislation, “Prohibition of Antipersonnel Mines” took effect on 17 April 2002.  Costa Rica submitted its first Article 7 Report, which confirmed that Costa Rica has no stockpile of antipersonnel mines.  The OAS expects to complete a national impact survey in August 2002.

CROATIA:  In 2001, 56,028 stockpiled antipersonnel mines were destroyed, leaving a total of 132,048 mines.  Croatia has served as the co-chair of the Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction since September 2001.  During 2001, 42.3 million square meters of land were handed over to communities for use, including 13.6 million through demining and 28.7 million through survey reduction.  CROMAC reports that in 2001 it spent more than $26 million on mine action, an increase of nearly one-quarter.  In 2001, there were 34 mine and UXO casualties, including nine fatalities, while in the first six months of 2002 there were 13 mine casualties, including two deminers. 

CZECH REPUBLIC:  The Czech Republic completed the destruction of its stockpile of more than 360,000 antipersonnel mines in June 2001.  In October 2001, an inter-ministerial working group was established to address issues related to the Mine Ban Treaty and the CCW.  Responding to an incident reported in Landmine Monitor Report 2001, the Czech Republic has stated that it does not consider use of antivehicle mines with tripwires to be a violation of the Mine Ban Treaty.    

DENMARK: Mine action funding in 2001 totaled DKK 119.4 million (US$14.4 million), a substantial increase from 2000. 

DJIBOUTI:  Djibouti is the only State Party with a 1 March 2003 stockpile destruction deadline that has not begun destruction and has not submitted an Article 7 Report or otherwise revealed information about its stockpile or destruction program.  A National Commission for Demining, responsible for all aspects of treaty implementation, is reportedly being established.  After May 2001, the National Army started mine clearance and marking operations in the northern districts.  In September, the deminers conducted a level one survey in the same area.

ECUADOR:  Ecuador completed stockpile destruction on 11 September 2001.  It destroyed a total of 260,302 antipersonnel mines.  It revised the number of mines retained for training purposes from 16,000 to 4,000.  Several mine impact surveys are reportedly underway.

EL SALVADOR:  Legislation to implement the Mine Ban Treaty domestically has been drafted.  El Salvador submitted its initial Article 7 transparency report on 31 August 2001 and an annual updated report on 29 April 2002.  El Salvador reported the destruction of 1,291 stockpiled antipersonnel mines in 2000, leaving 5,344 in stock.  In November 2001, an interagency committee on the Mine Ban Treaty was established, with responsibility for liaising with national and international organizations on demining and mine survivor rehabilitation. 

ERITREA:  Eritrea acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty on 27 August 2001, and it entered into force on 1 February 2002.  Two NGOs carried out surveys in 2001, and initial preparations for a Landmine Impact Survey began in March 2002.  Mine clearance and mine risk education activities increased greatly.  The UNMEE MACC reported that from November 2000 through December 2001, over 10 million square meters of land and 989 kilometers of roads were cleared, destroying more than 1,865 mines.   More than 400 Eritreans were trained as deminers in 2001.  There were 154 new landmine/UXO casualties reported in Eritrea in 2001, nearly half in May-July as refugees and IDPs began returning home.

FRANCE:  France has continued its prominent role in addressing Mine Ban Treaty universalization and compliance issues.  In September 2001, France became co-rapporteur of the Standing Committee on Victim Assistance.  CNEMA has reported new concerns about certain French antivehicle mines that may function as antipersonnel mines. France provided about $2.7 million for mine action programs in 2001, an increase from the previous year.

GERMANY: In 2001, Germany provided about €13.7 million ($12.3 million) in mine action funding.  For 2002, it has budgeted more than €17 million ($15.3 million) for mine action.  Germany has clarified its positions on joint military operations with non-signatories to the Mine Ban Treaty, and on US stockpiling and transit of antipersonnel mines in Germany.  Initiatives and actions regarding a ban or restrictions on antivehicle mines are increasing.

GUATEMALA: In 2001, the Army cleared an area covering 7,749 square meters.  In 2001, the Association of Volunteer Firefighters conducted mine risk education in six communities in San Marcos department, which reached an estimated 80,000 people.  

GUINEA-BISSAU:  The Mine Ban Treaty entered into force for Guinea-Bissau on 1 November 2001. In March 2002, an inventory of antipersonnel mines was carried out, revealing a stockpile of 4,997 mines.  In September 2001, a National Commission for Humanitarian Demining was formally established.  Between November 2000 and April 2002, 175,000 square meters of land were cleared.  Guinea-Bissau's initial Article 7 Report, due by 30 April 2002, has not yet been submitted. 

HONDURAS:  Clearance operations, originally targeted for completion in 2001, are now scheduled to be completed by the end of 2002.  In April 2002, Honduras stated that the country had met 98.59 percent of its mine clearance objectives.  Since September 2001, Honduras has served as co-chair of the Mine Ban Treaty Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration.

HUNGARY: There is increasing information about the considerable quantities of unexploded ordnance, including mines, from the Second World War and later Soviet occupation uncovered each year.  Hungary has a landmine alternative under development.  Hungary has not confirmed whether it has completed the destruction of its UKA-63 antivehicle mines with tilt rod fuzes, which function like antipersonnel mines.

IRELAND:  Ireland provided €2,243,204 (US$2,014,397) in mine action funding in 2001, a significant increase from 2000. 

ITALY: As of May 2002, only 460,000 antipersonnel mines from an original stockpile of 7.1 million remained to be destroyed.  Italy provided about  €5.6 million ($5 million) to mine action in 2001, an increase from 2000.  The implementation regulation for the new Trust Fund for Humanitarian Demining was adopted on 17 December 2001. The National Committee for Humanitarian Mine Action was reconvened in March 2002.

JAPAN:  Japanese mine action funding fell about 40 percent in 2001, to 741 million Japanese Yen (US$6.98 million).  In January 2002, Japan pledged $19.22 million in emergency funds for mine action activities in Afghanistan.  Japan has destroyed 605,040 antipersonnel mines, including 382,680 between March 2001 and February 2002. 

JORDAN: Jordan destroyed another 10,000 stockpiled antipersonnel mines in April 2002.  Since the national demining program began in 1993, 116 minefields containing 84,157 mines and covering 8 million square meters of land have been cleared.   

KENYA: Kenya submitted its initial Article 7 transparency report on 27 December 2001. It declared it has a total of 38,774 antipersonnel mines, some 3,000 of which will be retained for training.  In September 2001, Kenya was chosen as co-rapporteur of the Standing Committee on Mine Clearance.  Kenya’s military is involved in the UN demining operation along the Eritrea/Ethiopia border.

MACEDONIA (FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF): As of June 2002, FYROM had not started destruction of its stockpile of 42,871 antipersonnel mines, but had a plan in place to complete destruction before the 1 March 2003 deadline.  FYROM decided to retain 4,000 mines for training instead of 50.  The MACC in Kosovo and the ICRC conducted mine assessment missions to FYROM in 2001.  In September 2001, the UNMAS opened a Mine Action Office in Skopje.  Two Bosnia and Herzegovina NGOs cleared 1.7 million square meters of land in the FYROM in the last three months of 2001.  The ICRC developed a mine/UXO awareness program in collaboration with the Macedonian Red Cross.  Rebel NLA forces have stated that they have used and will continue to use mines, though there are no confirmed instances of new use in this reporting period.  Data compiled from media reports indicates at least 28 deaths and 20 injuries from mines and UXO in 2001.

MALAYSIA: In August 2001, Malaysia hosted the first seminar on Stockpile Destruction of Anti-Personnel Mines and Other Munitions in the ASEAN region.

MALTA:  Malta became a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty on 1 November 2001.  Malta submitted its initial Article 7 Report on 30 April 2002. 

MAURITANIA:  The Mines Advisory Group carried out a mine assessment mission in December 2001, and UNMAS conducted an assessment in 2002.  Mauritania submitted its first Article 7 Report, dated 20 June 2001, and its annual update on 12 June 2002.  Mauritania reports a stockpile of 5,728 mines, all of which will be retained.  

MAURITIUS:  Mauritius submitted its initial Article 7 transparency report on 20 May 2002, indicating that the Special Mobile Force of the Mauritius Police Force possesses 93 non-metallic antipersonnel mines.

MOLDOVA:  Moldova submitted its initial Article 7 Report on 8 April 2002, declaring a stockpile of 12,121 antipersonnel mines.  Moldova and NATO signed an agreement in June 2001 for assistance in the destruction of the mine stockpile, which should be completed in 2002.

MOZAMBIQUE:  The final conclusions of the Mozambique Landmine Impact Survey were published in September 2001.  Some 791 communities affected by 1,374 suspected mined areas were identified.  At the end of 2001, the National Demining Institute produced its first Five Year National Mine Action Plan (2002-2006).  In September 2001, Mozambique destroyed its first 500 stockpiled antipersonnel mines.  The remaining 37,318 mines must be destroyed before 1 March 2003.  In 2001, 60 mine incidents were reported, resulting in 80 casualties.

NAMIBIA:  In 2001, at least nine people were killed and 41 injured in reported mine/UXO incidents, a significant decrease from the previous year.  The International Committee of the Red Cross initiated a new mine risk education project in Namibia in 2002.  Namibia has not submitted its initial Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, which was due by 28 August 1999.

THE NETHERLANDS:  The Netherlands continued to play a leadership role in promoting universalization and full implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty.  The Netherlands served as co-chair of the Standing Committee on Mine Clearance until September 2001. The Netherlands is coordinating work on explosive remnants of war in the CCW.  In 2001, the Netherlands contributed €15.5 million (about $13.9 million) to mine action.

NEW ZEALAND:  New Zealand has continued its international advocacy in support of the Mine Ban Treaty, and increased its contributions to mine action programs.

NICARAGUA:  From 18 to 21 September 2001, Nicaragua hosted the Third Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty.  As President of the Third Meeting of States Parties, Nicaragua has also served as Chair of the Coordinating Committee since September 2001.  From September 2000 until September 2001, Nicaragua served as co-chair of the Standing Committee on Victim Assistance.  Nicaragua has destroyed 115,000 stockpiled antipersonnel mines and plans to destroy the remaining 18,313 mines by September 2002.  As of June 2002, Nicaragua had cleared more than 2.5 million square meters of land and 78,374 mines.  Nicaragua now expects to complete mine clearance in 2005, not 2004 as previously estimated.  

NIGER:  Niger reported that it does not have a stockpile of antipersonnel mines, contrary to previous information.

NIGERIA:  Nigeria acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty on 27 September 2001.  Antipersonnel mines were among the debris after massive explosions at an ammunition transit depot in January 2002.

NORWAY:  Norway continued to play a key leadership role in promoting full implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty and developing the intersessional work program.  Norway served as President of the Second Meeting of States Parties until September 2001 and co-chair of the Standing Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention since September 2001.  Financial contributions to mine action in 2001 totaled NOK176.85 million ($19.65 million). 

PERÚ:  Perú has played a leadership role in the Mine Ban Treaty intersessional work program, and in promotion of full implementation of the treaty.  Perú served as co-chair of the Mine Ban Treaty Standing Committee on Mine Clearance until September 2001 and since then, has served as co-rapporteur of the Standing Committee on General Status and Operation.  In September 2001, Perú completed destruction of its stockpiled antipersonnel mines.  It reduced the number of mines retained for training to 4,024, and destroyed a total of 322,892 mines.  In June 2002, the Peruvian Army completed mine clearance along 18 kilometers of the Zarumilla Canal on the border with Ecuador.  

PHILIPPINES:  Two rebel groups continued to use antipersonnel mines – the New People’s Army and Abu Sayyaf.  The government recovered a stockpile of homemade mines apparently belonging to a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front; this was the first landmine-related incident involving the MNLF since 1996.  Another rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, re-committed in writing to a total ban on antipersonnel mines in April 2002; however, there continued to be allegations of MILF use of mines in 2001 and 2002.

PORTUGAL:  Portugal corrected its stockpile numbers, reporting that at the end of 2001, it had 231,781 antipersonnel mines in stockpiles, or 40,629 less than previously reported.  Destruction began in 2002, and as of May, 36,654 mines had been destroyed.  Portugal also reported that the number of mines retained for permitted purposes would be reduced to 1,115.  In February 2002, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided that new implementation legislation is not needed because the Portuguese penal code already criminalizes the prohibited activities.

QATAR:  In 2002, Qatar’s Foreign Minister confirmed to the ICBL that Qatari Armed Forces do not use antipersonnel mines, and have no stockpile of mines except for training.  Qatar has not said if U.S. mines stored in Qatar must be removed before its 1 April 2003 deadline for stockpile destruction.  Qatar has not yet submitted its initial Article 7 transparency report, due by 27 September 1999.

ROMANIA: In September 2001, Romania was chosen co-rapporteur of the Mine Ban Treaty Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction.  Romania began its own stockpile destruction in August 2001 and by April 2002 reported the destruction of 130,474 antipersonnel mines.  It expects to complete stockpile destruction by 2004, a year in advance of its deadline.   

RWANDA: Some 20 of the more than 35 mined areas in the country have been cleared; in 2001, 9,712 square meters of land were cleared, including 3,648 mines and UXO.  Rwanda submitted its first Article 7 transparency report, indicating that it has no stockpile of antipersonnel mines.  RCD-Goma rebel forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with whom the Rwandan military cooperates closely, have admitted ongoing mine use.

SENEGAL:  In 2001, 54 new landmine/UXO casualties were reported, a small decrease from the previous year.  No systematic demining has occurred, although the Army engages in some mine clearance.  From mid-2000 to mid-2001, Handicap International’s mine risk education program reached the population in 680 of 776 accessible villages, and benefited 59,583 school children. 

SEYCHELLES: Domestic implementation legislation had been drafted and is awaiting approval by the Cabinet of Ministers.  Seychelles has not yet submitted its initial Article 7 transparency report, which was due in May 2001.

SIERRA LEONE:  The Mine Ban Treaty entered into force for Sierra Leone on 1 October 2001.  It has not submitted its initial Article 7 Report, which was due on 20 March 2002. 

SLOVAK REPUBLIC:  Slovakia served as the co-chair of the Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction until September 2001.  Six mine clearance teams from Slovakia are operating with the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

SLOVENIA:  By 22 May 2002, Slovenia had destroyed 121,919 antipersonnel mines, and had a total of 46,979 remaining to be destroyed.  Domestic implementation legislation was being examined by ministries as of May 2002.   In 2001, Slovenia contributed US$418,373 to the ITF.  In 2001, the ITF raised a total of $20.5 million, a significant decrease from 2000.

SOUTH AFRICA:  South Africa has continued to play a leading role in the intersessional work program of the Mine Ban Treaty and was instrumental in the establishment of the treaty’s Implementation Support Unit.  It has also been a leader in promoting universalization and full implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty in Africa.  

SPAIN: Spain opened an International Demining Training Center, and conducted two courses for Lebanese and Central American participants.  Mine action funding in 2001 totaled €741,357 ($667,221).  Spain sent three demining teams to Afghanistan.  In September 2001, Parliament approved a “green paper” intended to increase the funding for mine action.

SURINAME:  Suriname ratified the Mine Ban Treaty on 23 May 2002.  Suriname is conducting an inventory of its small stockpile of antipersonnel mines.

SWEDEN:  Sweden completed the destruction of its antipersonnel mine stockpile in December 2001.  Sweden is retaining 13,948 antipersonnel mines for permitted purposes, the second highest number of any State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty.  Mine action funding in 2001 totaled SEK91.6 million ($8.5 million), an increase from 2000.  In November 2001, Sweden finalized its new policy guidelines on mine action funding.

SWITZERLAND: In 2001, Switzerland provided mine action funding totaling US$8.4 million.  In September 2001, Switzerland was chosen as co-rapporteur of the Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction.  The Fourth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty will be held in Geneva in September 2002.

TAJIKISTAN:  Although the United Nations records that Tajikistan acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty on 12 October 1999, it is not clear that Tajikistan considers itself a State Party formally bound by the treaty.  Russia has reconfirmed that it has laid antipersonnel mines inside Tajikistan, reportedly with the consent of the Tajik government.  Following the completion in July 2001 of a needs assessment, the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan has initiated a mine risk education program with the help of the ICRC.  Uzbek-laid antipersonnel mines continued to kill and injure civilians and livestock in Tajikistan in 2001.

TANZANIA:  Landmine victims continued to arrive in Tanzania refugee camps from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Tanzania has not submitted its initial Article 7 transparency report, which was due on 28 October 2001.

THAILAND:  The Thailand Mine Action Center is revising its master plan for the period 2002-2006 based on the results of the Landmine Impact Survey completed in May 2001.  As of June 2002, TMAC had cleared 4.4 million square meters of land.  As of July 2002, Thailand had destroyed 266,245 antipersonnel mines from stockpiles, including 186,899 since June 2001.  Thailand became co-chair of the Standing Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention in September 2001. Thailand has offered to host the Fifth Meeting of States Parties in 2003.  A Regional Conference on Victim Assistance was held in Bangkok on 6-8 November 2001.  On 13-15 May 2002, Thailand hosted the Regional Seminar on Landmines in Southeast Asia.

TUNISIA:  In January 2002, the government hosted a regional seminar on the Mine Ban Treaty in North Africa.  The Army destroyed 1,000 stockpiled antipersonnel mines as part of the event.  Tunisia has not submitted Article 7 Reports in 2001 or 2002. 

TURKMENISTAN:  Turkmenistan submitted its initial Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 transparency report in November 2001.  It reported the destruction of more than 400,000 antipersonnel mines since 1997, and a remaining stockpile of 761,782 mines.  It requested a seven-year extension of its deadline for stockpile destruction, but such an extension is not permitted under the Mine Ban Treaty. Turkmenistan subsequently indicated it intended to meet the deadline of 1 March 2003. 

UGANDA: Uganda has denied allegations of use of mines in the DR Congo in 2000, and has reportedly been conducting an investigation, in a spirit of cooperation.  Uganda invited foreign military attaches to inspect an alleged mine production facility, and they concluded no production existed.  Uganda submitted its initial Article 7 Report in May 2002, which provided the first public details on a stockpile of 6,782 antipersonnel mines.  Uganda will retain 2,400 of the mines for training purposes.  Mine Risk Education is underway in the northern districts of Gulu, Kitgum and Pader, and in Kasese district in western Uganda.  There continue to be new mine casualties.

UNITED KINGDOM:  Mine action funding for 2001/2002 totaled GB£12 million, a decrease from GB£16 million in 2000/2001.  In April 2002, the UK company PW Defence Ltd is alleged to have offered to supply 500 antipersonnel mines in contravention of national law and the Mine Ban Treaty.  The same month, the State-owned Pakistan Ordnance Factories is alleged to have offered two types of antipersonnel mines for sale in the UK.  In January 2002, the UK Ministry of Defence simulated a Mine Ban Treaty Article 8 investigation into hypothetical breaches of the treaty in the UK.  

URUGUAY:  Uruguay ratified the Mine Ban Treaty on 7 June 2001 and the treaty entered into force on 1 December 2001.  Uruguay submitted its first Article 7 Report on 23 April 2002.  Uruguay destroyed 432 antipersonnel mines from May 2000 to June 2002, leaving 1,728 in stock.  Uruguayan Army mine clearance experts are serving in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

VENEZUELA:  Landmine Monitor verified the presence of a small minefield at a Navy base near the Colombian border.  Venezuela has not publicly acknowledged having landmines on its territory.  As of July 2002, Venezuela had not yet submitted its initial Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 transparency report, due by 29 March 2000.  Landmine Monitor has been told that Venezuela stockpiles approximately 40,000 antipersonnel mines.  In December 2001, a media report indicated that a Colombian guerrilla group, EPLA, had used explosive devices inside Venezuela. 

YEMEN:  On 27 April 2002, Yemen destroyed the last 8,674 of its stockpiled antipersonnel mines.  Between May 2001 to February 2002, 2.2 million square meters of land were cleared of mines and UXO.  Yemen has served as co-chair of the Standing Committee on Mine Clearance since September 2001.

ZAMBIA: The Mine Ban Treaty entered into force for Zambia on 1 August 2001.  Zambia is incorporating the Mine Ban Treaty’s provisions into domestic law.  Zambia for the first time revealed it has a stockpile of 6,691 mines, all of which will be retained “for training only.”  The Zambian Mine Action Center was established in August 2001, and training was provided for management, survey, mine risk education, and clearance teams.  Mine clearance operations began in May 2002.  Zambia submitted its initial Article 7 Report on 31 August 2001, months before it was due.

ZIMBABWE: In December 2001, it was announced that Zimbabwe's army had completed demining 1.8 million square meters of land around the main border crossing with Mozambique.  In 2002, a National Authority on Mine Action was formed to coordinate activities of mine victims and other landmine-related activities.  In 2001, five new landmine casualties were reported. Zimbabwe clarified its position regarding possible joint military operations involving use of antipersonnel mines.

SIGNATORIES

BURUNDI:  There continue to be allegations of use of antipersonnel mines by Burundian troops both inside Burundi and in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Landmine Monitor has not been able to corroborate such allegations, or to determine if rebel or government forces are responsible for ongoing mine use.  The government strongly denies any use of mines, and has again invited an observer mission to establish facts.  Burundi declared a stockpile of 1,200 antipersonnel mines.

CYPRUS:  In January 2002, the government of Cyprus introduced a bill to Parliament calling for early approval and ratification of the Mine Ban Treaty.  Cyprus reports that it has cleared and destroyed more that 11,000 mines during the last two years.  It has announced plans to clear the heavily-mined buffer zone that divides the island, starting unilaterally if necessary. 

ETHIOPIA:  A national Landmine Impact Survey was initiated in April 2002.  While no demining has started in Ethiopia, two demining companies have been trained, and some survey work has been carried out since February 2002.  During 2001, nearly 200,000 people received some form of mine risk education.  In April 2002, Ethiopia provided to the UN detailed maps of mines its forces laid in Eritrea during the border conflict.  In 2001, there were at least 71 new landmine/UXO casualties, a significant decrease from the previous year.

GREECE:  On 19 March 2002, the Greek parliament voted unanimously in favor of ratifying the Mine Ban Treaty.  The instrument of ratification will be deposited at the same time as Turkey’s instrument of accession.  Greece is believed to hold a stockpile of 1.25 million antipersonnel mines.  Greece reported that clearance of all minefields on the Greek-Bulgarian border was completed in December 2001, and included the destruction of 25,000 antipersonnel and antivehicle mines.  Illegal immigrants crossing into Greece continue to fall victim to landmines.

GUYANA:  A seminar on the Mine Ban Treaty took place in Georgetown in May 2002.  A parliamentary motion for ratification of the treaty has been submitted to the National Assembly.

INDONESIA:  Indonesia has progressed toward ratification of the Mine Ban Treaty.  It established a National Ad-Hoc Working Group on the Mine Ban Treaty.  In May 2002, Indonesia for the first time revealed that it has a stockpile of 16,000 antipersonnel mines. 

LITHUANIA:  In July 2002, Lithuania submitted, on a voluntary basis, an Article 7 transparency report as an indication of the government’s commitment to meet the obligations of the Mine Ban Treaty.  Lithuania has reported a stockpile of 8,091 antipersonnel mines, for training purposes. 

POLAND:  Poland has participated in the Mine Ban Treaty process, but has taken no concrete steps toward ratification.  Ministry of Defense officials have estimated the cost of destruction of Poland’s antipersonnel mine stockpile as “a few million Polish Zloty,” and have informally estimated the size at more than one million.  The Engineering Corps identified the types of antipersonnel mines stockpiled.  Poland spent around $6 million on domestic mine clearance and explosive ordnance disposal in 2001, destroying 3,842 mines and 45,000 items of unexploded ordnance.  In March 2002, 39 deminers were sent to Afghanistan.

SUDAN: After the signing a cease-fire agreement for the Nuba Mountains area, a series of new mine action projects were initiated.  A number of assessments were carried out in both government- and rebel-controlled areas.  The United States deployed part of its quick reaction demining force to clear mines from roads in the Nuba Mountains for a five-week period.  The Sudan Landmine Information and Response Initiative was formed in 2001.  Between April 2001 and March 2002, Operation Save Innocent Lives cleared a total of 329 miles of road and 263,093 square meters of land.  Both the government and the SPLA have renewed pledges not to use antipersonnel mines, although there are still unconfirmed allegations of use by both sides.

UKRAINE