WUNRN
The Ban Bus is an advocacy initiative. We are
now striving to achieve a ban on cluster bombs by the end of 2008. Our
immediate mission is to build strong support for the Oslo Process in countries
through East and West Europe, conducting a 10 000 km journey from the Balkans
to
BAN BUS EUROPE ROUTE MAP - http://thebanbus.org/ The Ban Bus is planning a variety of events and activities in 20 + countries including public talks, film screenings, and meetings with parliamentarians, government representatives and faith leaders.
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The Convention on
Cluster Munitions
On 30 May 2008, 107 participating states at the Dublin Conference on Cluster Munitions agreed to adopt the text of the new Convention on Cluster Munitions. By doing so, they fulfilled their commitment made in the Oslo Declaration (23 February 2007), to:
“Conclude by 2008 a legally binding international instrument that prohibit the use and stockpiling of cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians and secure adequate provision of care and rehabilitation to survivors and clearance of contaminated areas”.
The new convention will be opened for signature at a Signing Conference in Oslo on 3 December 2008. All states wanting to join the new Convention can attend this ceremony, or sign later at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. A series of regional and thematic meetings prior to the Signing Conference will prepare for this historic event.
The new convention prohibits all use, stockpiling, production and transfer of Cluster Munitions. Separate articles in the Convention concern assistance to victims, clearance of contaminated areas and destruction of stockpiles.
The Convention is a result of the Oslo-process, an open and timebound diplomatic process that included States, Civil Society, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations.
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http://womenwarpeace.org/node/9
UNIFEM - WOMEN, WAR, PEACE
LANDMINES & UXO's - EXPLOSIVE REMNANTS OF WAR
The impact of landmines on individuals and communities is not simply physical;
it is also psychological, social, and economic. By taking away freedom of
movement and robbing children of the right to play, landmines erode peace of
mind. During recent conflicts, landmines have been deliberately used to target
civilian populations, control their movements and damage their mental health.
Long after conflicts end, the presence of mines and UXO continue to pose a
terrible threat, undermining peace and security by making it impossible for
displaced women to return home and prolonging the suffering of all who come in
contact with them.
Key Terms
Anti-personnel mine: A mine designed to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a person with the goal of incapacitating, injuring or killing one or more persons. In contrast, anti-tank mines are designed to be detonated by the presence, proximity or contact of a vehicle as opposed to a person.
Explosive Remnants of War: The collective term for any explosive ordnance or other explosive item, object, or part, fired or unfired, left over as the result of armed conflict.
Mine: Ammunition designed to be placed under, on or near the ground or other surface area and to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a person or vehicle.
Mine action: All those activities which address the problems faced by people as a result of landmine contamination.
Mined area: An area which is dangerous due to the presence or suspected presence of mines.
Unexploded Ordnance: Ordnance that has been primed, fused, armed, or otherwise prepared for use. It may have been fired, dropped, launched or projected yet remains unexploded either though malfunction of design or for any other reason.
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