Doc. 8034
10 March 1998

Early ratification of the Convention for a global ban on anti-personnel mines

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Musto and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       Tens of thousands of people have been killed or disabled by as many as 100 million anti-personnel mines still deployed in some 70 countries. The mounting loss of life and limb demands urgent action by the international community. As a result, a remarkable process brought together many governments and non-governmental organisations in common cause. The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction was signed by 122 countries at the Ottawa Conference of 2-4 December 1997. The Convention commits signatories to destroy existing stockpiles within four years of its coming into force, to clear mine fields within ten years unless they can justify an extension and to cooperate with a compliance regime.

2.       Now, priority must turn to enforcement of the Convention, which requires ratification by 40 signatory states. Thereafter all must work towards effective implementation of the treaty. Support within the Council of Europe has been crucial to the success of the movement to achieve a global ban on anti-personnel mines, with 31 of the 40 member countries having already signed the Convention. However, Ireland is currently the only Council of Europe member to have deposited its instrument of ratification. The goal should be to have the necessary 40 countries ratify the Convention by the end of 1998. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe should therefore help to sustain the momentum of the Ottawa process by putting its full support behind the early entry into force and implementation of the Convention by member states.

3.       The Assembly should strongly encourage those member countries which have already signed the Convention to proceed to ratification as soon as possible, and should pursue efforts to see that its remaining member countries ratify the Convention as soon as possible. The Assembly should further encourage all Council of Europe members to take whatever measures they can without delay towards eliminating anti-personnel mines in their countries, and to provide support for effective mine clearance and victim assistance programmes

Signed : ¹

Musto, Hungary, LDR

Brasseur, Luxembourg, LDR

Browne, Ireland, LDR

Degn, Denmark, SOC

Jakic, Slovenia, LDR

Kiely, Ireland, LDR

Lukin, Russia, LDR

Pozza Tasca, Italy, LDR

Rados, Croatia, LDR

Ringstad, Norway, LDR

Russell-Johnston, United Kingdom, LDR

Seiler, Switzerland, LDR

Severinsen, Denmark, LDR

Shishlov, Russia, LDR

Staes, Belgium, EPP/CD