The Mine Ban Convention After 10 Years: Achievements and Challenges
ACHIEVEMENTS
A total of 156 States are now party to the Convention; and two others (Poland and the Marshall Islands) have signed, but not yet ratifi ed it. The Convention has had a significant impact on worldwide anti-personnel mine use, production and trade. Among States the use of anti-personnel mines is now rare, and use by non-State armed groups is declining. Production of anti-personnel mines has ceased in 38 States, four of whom are not party to the Convention; and legal trade in these weapons is virtually non-existent.
REMAINING CHALLENGES
There are still 39 States that remain outside the Mine Ban Convention, some of whom have large stockpiles of anti-personnel mines. According to Landmine Monitor’s estimates, more than 160 million mines are held by States not party to the Convention and 13 States are still producing mines or retaining the right to do so.1 While the use of anti-personnel mines by States has been rare in recent years and these weapons have become increasingly stigmatized, universal adherence to the Convention is vital to ensure that mines being stockpiled or pro-duced are never used and that the mine ban norm becomes truly universal. It is hoped that one or several States will announce their accession to the Convention before or at the Cartagena Summit.
