Sudan ratifies anti-mine convention
KHARTOUM, Oct. 28, 2003 (ICRC News) — On 13 October 2003, Sudan deposited its instrument for ratification of the Convention on the prohibition of the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines and on their destruction (Ottawa Convention), thus becoming the 140th State to join the international effort to put an end to the widespread suffering caused by these weapons.
The ICRC congratulates the Sudanese government on this very important step towards a global ban on anti-personnel mines and thanks various governmental and non-governmental organizations, in particular the Sudan Campaign to Ban Landmines, for their active contribution to this achievement.
Under the terms of the Convention, which for Sudan enters into force on 1 April 2004, the Sudanese government is required to destroy all stockpiled anti-personnel mines by 1 April 2008 and to clear all mined areas by 1 April 2014. Furthermore, it must report to the UN Secretary-General on measures taken to implement the Convention by 26 October 2004.
As guardian and promoter of international humanitarian law, the ICRC played an important part in the adoption of the Ottawa Convention in 1997. In 1995 it launched an international public campaign against landmines together with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and other humanitarian organizations. In 1996 it commissioned a study on the military value of anti-personnel mines, which showed that the appalling human cost of using these weapons far outweighed their limited military usefulness. It also took part in the various international conferences and fora held within the “Ottawa process”. All these efforts were instrumental in mobilizing public opinion, stimulating military and political debate and ensuring that the plight of mine victims and communities living under the threat of landmines was not forgotten.
The ICRC welcomes any progress towards adherence to and implementation of international humanitarian law treaties. In this respect, it salutes two other important steps taken by Sudan this year, namely the creation of the National Commission on International Humanitarian Law and the ratification of the Convention on Biological Weapons. At the same time, it strongly encourages Sudan to embrace other humanitarian law treaties to which it is not yet party, in particular the 1977 Protocols additional to the Geneva Conventions.
The ICRC is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance. It also endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles.
For further information, please contact:
Sadia Shafaqoj Kaenzig, ICRC Khartoum, tel. ++249 12 137764 or ++249 11 476 464/5/6.