Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 30 of 62
Full-Text Articles in Defense and Security Studies
Transition And National Capacity After Article 5 Compliance, Hans Risser, Christian Ruge
Transition And National Capacity After Article 5 Compliance, Hans Risser, Christian Ruge
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In June 2014, State Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) met in Maputo, Mozambique, for the 3rd Review Conference of the APMBC, fifteen years after its entry into force. As the review conference approached, State Parties faced a growing call from civil society and some State Parties to commit to complete all obligations in the treaty as rapidly as possible. The majority of State Parties have already completed their APBMC obligations to destroy stockpiles of anti-personnel (AP) mines. However, surveying and clearing all known mined areas in a state’s territory in accordance with obligations under Article 5 of …
Aid Effectiveness In Insecure Areas, Sharmala Naidoo
Aid Effectiveness In Insecure Areas, Sharmala Naidoo
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The issue of aid effectiveness in conflict-affected and insecure areas is receiving increased attention within the development community. The Paris Declaration on Aid EffectivenessPrinciples for Good International Engagement in Fragile States and Situations and the recent Accra Agenda for Action signal donor and recipient commitment to improve the effectiveness of aid. Conflict-affected countries often present aid-effectiveness challenges that require special attention—but what does this mean for countries affected by mines and explosive remnants of war? This article examines recent developments, highlighting some implications for mine action.
Change Is The Only Constant, Zlatko Gegic
Change Is The Only Constant, Zlatko Gegic
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Because of the nature of mine-action organizations and programs, they are often placed in post-conflict areas where humanitarian work faces several obstacles. It is important to consider possible setbacks before embarking on demining in a post-conflict country.
Ieds And Their Impact On Mine Action, Adrian King
Ieds And Their Impact On Mine Action, Adrian King
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article addresses the increasingly prevalent threat of improvised explosive devices around the world. The author carefully defines this often unpredictable and unconventional “weapon of choice” and outlines the steps to eliminate the hazard it presents to global security. The article also discusses the role IEDs play within the scope of mine action, arguing their danger exceeds that of traditional mines and other unexploded ordnance.
Venezuela, Country Profile
Venezuela, Country Profile
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Since October 1999, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has been a State Party to the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention, which it signed 3 December 1997, and ratified 14 April 1999. Upon ratification of the convention, the document became a national law of Venezuela. At the U.N. Conference on Disarmament in 2004, Venezuela announced that it had fulfilled its duties to the Convention in 2003, destroying 47,189 AP mines and keeping 5,000 landmines for military training. The country also announced that it had enacted the Disarmament Act in 2003, which sought to eliminate the illegal possession of small arms/light weapons from …
Cluster Munitions: Should They Be Banned?, Henry Dowlen, Md
Cluster Munitions: Should They Be Banned?, Henry Dowlen, Md
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Cluster munitions have been used in at least 23 countries, produced in 33 and stockpiled in over 70; their submunitions number into the billions. They cause lasting humanitarian problems and have recently been the target of campaigns to ban their use. This article aims to summarize the history, utility, legacy and legislation surrounding cluster munitions.
Cluster Munitions: The Ban Process, Cisr Journal
Cluster Munitions: The Ban Process, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Cluster munitions are a serious issue because of the lack of specialized restrictions on their use and the high volume of explosive remnants of war that the weapons can create. Although all weapons are governed by international law, the lack of a specific convention addressing these weapons led many nongovernmental organizations and countries to join together to create a ban in what has become known as the Oslo Process, with the most recent conference held in May 2008 in Dublin.
Medical Support To Demining In Sudan, Russell Wyper
Medical Support To Demining In Sudan, Russell Wyper
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
With an area of more than one million square miles (2,589,988 square kilometers), Sudan is the largest country on the African continent and has been at the center of decades of conflict since it gained its independence in 1959. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in January 2005 brought to end a vicious civil war and marked the beginning of an era of relative peace. This article outlines the health challenges involved in mine action in Sudan and highlights the actions taken by the United Nations Mine Action Office in Sudan to address issues of medical support to humanitarian-demining operations in …
Demining And The Environment: A Primer, Cisr Journal, Anthony Morin
Demining And The Environment: A Primer, Cisr Journal, Anthony Morin
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Since their widespread use during World War II, landmines have arguably become one of the most significant social, economic and environmental problems of the last half-century. Restricting access to land, roads and water supplies, landmines have been responsible for the displacement of persons and the stagnation of basic infrastructure development in every region of the world. They have also caused land and soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, and severe limitations to agricultural productivity. These issues, along with several others, were at the heart of the mine-action debate during creation of the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention in 1997.
Mine-Clearance Activities And Ansa Participation: An Analysis, Sadi Caysi
Mine-Clearance Activities And Ansa Participation: An Analysis, Sadi Caysi
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Effective mine action requires numerous actors to peacefully collaborate: governmental and nongovernmental, international and local. Armed non-state actors (ANSA) that operate beyond central control, such as rebel opposition groups and paramilitary organizations, and private defense companies can often provide necessary contributions to mine action. Understanding ANSAs allows humanitarian organizations to communicate, cooperate and avoid conflict.
Time To Steady The Pendulum, Eddie Banks
Time To Steady The Pendulum, Eddie Banks
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The author questions whether the ever-increasing emphasis on standards is diametrically opposed to principles of the United Nations and the International Mine Action Standards and whether the implementation of the IMAS restricts a humanitarian response.
Environmental Damages From Minefields, Raafat Misak, S. Omar
Environmental Damages From Minefields, Raafat Misak, S. Omar
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Desert Storm brought Iraqi Forces to Kuwait and, with them, mines. Aerial diagrams illustrate the areas of Kuwait still littered with landmines. Landmines are causing significant short- and long-term damage to the environment, resulting in soil erosion, destruction of vegetation and topsoil, and negatively impacting wildlife.
Global Environmental Demining Issues, Ian Mclean, Rebecca Sargisson
Global Environmental Demining Issues, Ian Mclean, Rebecca Sargisson
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The environmental impact of any human action cannot be underestimated—even humanitarian demining—given the global repercussions in this era of explosive growth. The authors discuss the consequences of thoughtless action and provide valuable context concerning the vast extent to which human beings impact the environment.
Mine Action And The Environment, Faiz Paktian
Mine Action And The Environment, Faiz Paktian
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
While global warming is a hot environmental topic these days and scientists agree that unless we act soon to significantly reduce global pollution, average temperatures will continue to rise, causing heat waves, rising sea levels, droughts and wildfires. It is also important to look at mine-action procedures and activities to ensure our industry is in compliance with the world's requirements on environment protection. There is perhaps a need, more than ever before, to remind national mine-action authorities and demining organisations of their responsibility to ensure that demining operations not only be carried out in a safe, effective and efficient manner, …
The Article 5 Extension Request Process, Tamar Gabelnick
The Article 5 Extension Request Process, Tamar Gabelnick
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines was very specific in saying that there were to be no exceptions to the 10-year deadline placed in the Ottawa Convention. However, with the treaty’s first mine-clearance deadline quickly approaching in 2009 at least 15 countries have found they may have bitten off more than they can chew. Or have they?
Increasing Female Voices In Mine-Action Planning And Prioritization, Catherine Cecil, Kristen Rasmussen
Increasing Female Voices In Mine-Action Planning And Prioritization, Catherine Cecil, Kristen Rasmussen
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Community Strengthening and Gender Mainstreaming in Integrated Mine Action Project focuses on one of the greatest challenges women face in mine affected areas of Cambodia: to be actively and meaningfully involved in the decision-making process in mine action. Three international organizations have collaborated to develop a complex plan addressing the issues and impediments facing the residents of many Cambodian villages. Its implementation demonstrates the sweeping changes necessary for participation by all villagers and the promise of truly integrated mine-action strategies.
Gender Issue: An Example From Lao Pdr, Jo Durham
Gender Issue: An Example From Lao Pdr, Jo Durham
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article begins with a brief overview of the literature that helped frame a gender assessment MAG undertook and put gender into perspective within the broader development discourse, helping to identify where there are important linkages between gender and mine action. Following this summary, which highlights the centrality of gender in poverty-eradication efforts, an overview of the assessment (including methods and key findings) is provided
Gendered Structures Of Mine Action, Marie Nilsson, Virginie Rozes
Gendered Structures Of Mine Action, Marie Nilsson, Virginie Rozes
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
To examine the relevance of gender in the mine-action sector, the Swiss Campaign to Ban Landmines conducted a global survey and in-depth interviews. The author presents the findings of this research and its implications.
Special Report: The Looming Ottawa Deadlines, Cisr Journal
Special Report: The Looming Ottawa Deadlines, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Under Article 5 of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction,States Parties are bound by a 10-year mine-clearance deadline. As the first clearance deadlines approach in March 2009, it is evident that several countries will not be able to meet their Ottawa-imposed deadlines.
The Looming Ottawa Deadlines: The Case Of Mozambique, Maria Isabel Macedo Dos Santos
The Looming Ottawa Deadlines: The Case Of Mozambique, Maria Isabel Macedo Dos Santos
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
With the impending 2009 Ottawa Convention deadline quickly approaching, it has become clear that Mozambique will not be able to complete their required obligations without an extension. Dwindling funding, inadequate resources and the challenge of other internal problems have delayed the mine-action progress, but what will be the solution?
Female And Integrated Demining Teams: Past, Present And Future, Cisr Journal
Female And Integrated Demining Teams: Past, Present And Future, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Over the past few years, demining has evolved from being a man’s occupation to a unisex occupation. In many countries, females now work alongside males to clear mine-affected areas, removing landmines and unexploded ordnance at about the same rate as their male counterparts.
Dpko Practices In Gender Mainstreaming, Cisr Journal
Dpko Practices In Gender Mainstreaming, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Following the adoption in 2000 of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations of the United Nations Secretariat began mainstreaming gender perspectives into all of their peacekeeping operations. Within DPKO, the United Nations Mine Action Service maintains its own guidelines to help U.N. personnel mainstream gender considerations into all mine-action programs.
United Nations Office For Disarmament Affairs, Cisr Journal
United Nations Office For Disarmament Affairs, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs is the global community’s chief authority on the issues of weapons reduction. Among its responsibilities UNODA acts as the U.N. Secretary-General’s liaison in fulfilling the obligations established by both the Ottawa Convention and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. The Office for Disarmament Affairs’ Geneva branch oversees these activities and is responsible—in accordance with the Ottawa Convention—for collecting Article 7 reports, maintaining the list of Article 8 experts and organizing meetings of States Parties, as well as organizing meetings pertaining to the CCW.
An African Perspective On The Cluster Munitions Convention, Sheila Mweemba
An African Perspective On The Cluster Munitions Convention, Sheila Mweemba
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
On 30 May 2008, the international community adopted the Convention on Cluster Munitions. It is little wonder that those who were against a convention of this sort are still reeling from the shock of it. Africa, on the other hand, can give itself a well-deserved pat on the back for having played a pivotal role in the adoption of a groundbreaking, legally-binding instrument of which posterity will judge the results.
Gender Stigma And Erw Injuries, Cisr Journal
Gender Stigma And Erw Injuries, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Although men account for a greater number of unexploded ordnance- and landmine-related casualties, explosive remnants of war accidents carry a distinct set of grim implications for women in many cultures. This article examines the specific social and economic repercussions for women in mine-contaminated regions and discusses some of the efforts to alleviate them.
Reaching The Right People: Gender And Mine Action, Melissa Sabatier, Reuben Mccarthy
Reaching The Right People: Gender And Mine Action, Melissa Sabatier, Reuben Mccarthy
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Statistics suggest that males suffer anywhere between 75 and 95 percentof all mine- and unexploded ordnance-related accidents; however, mines and UXO also have a negative effect on community development, which directly affects female populations. As a result, governmental and nongovernmental organizations are increasing the involvement of women in mine-clearance practices as well as mine-risk education programs. More specifically, countries are beginning to understand the value and importance of “gender mainstreaming” in mine-action processes.
Gender In The Mine-Action Community, Cisr Journal
Gender In The Mine-Action Community, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Comparing the perspectives of multiple gender specialists and detailing real-world examples, this article provides a multi-faceted look at gender mainstreaming in the mine-action community. The authors analyze four of the five mine-action pillars: clearance, mine-risk education, victim assistance and advocacy.
Npa’S All-Female Demining Team In Sudan, Cisr Journal
Npa’S All-Female Demining Team In Sudan, Cisr Journal
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Norwegian People’s Aid’s commitment to gender mainstreaming in mine action is reflected by the organization’s present work in Sudan. This article looks at the successes of the country’s first all-female demining team, established in 2007, as well as at the larger cultural and practical considerations of women in demining.
Connecting The Dots: The Ottawa Convention And The Ccm, Ken Rutherford, Nerina Čevra, Tracey Begley
Connecting The Dots: The Ottawa Convention And The Ccm, Ken Rutherford, Nerina Čevra, Tracey Begley
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions have refined the victim-assistance concepts found in the Ottawa Convention by defining victim assistance and clarifying VA obligations in the CCM. As the authors note, States Parties recognize that change can only be created through the people who implement it.
Will Oslo Be The Next Ottawa? The Cluster-Munitions Debate, Jeff Abramson
Will Oslo Be The Next Ottawa? The Cluster-Munitions Debate, Jeff Abramson
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
More than a decade has passed since the monumental Ottawa Mine Ban Convention was opened for signature in December 1997. Now, with the adoption of the text of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in May 2008, the global community is closer than ever to an international agreement prohibiting the use of cluster munitions. A review of the key issues underpinning the debate on cluster munitions follows.