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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 …

An Independent Review Of The Mine Action Sector In Cambodia, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Cambodia is one of the oldest and most established mine action programmes in the world. Because of its extensive landmine and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) contamination and the early response that was provided 25 years ago with the assistance of the international community, the country's mine action sector has developed a robust and qualified capacity of national professionals and has benefited from the assistance of an extensive number of international organizations as well as the massive support from international development partners.

As a State Party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), Cambodia has demonstrated a strong commitment in …

Linking Mine Action And Ssr, Geneva Centre For The Democratic Control Of Armed Forces

Global CWD Repository

SSR Papers is a flagship DCAF publication series intended to contribute innovative thinking on important themes and approaches relating to security sector reform (SSR) in the broader context of security sector governance. Intended for researchers, policymakers and practitioners involved in this field, the papers provide original and provocative analysis on topics that are directly linked to the challenges of a governance-driven SSR agenda.

Mine Action And Peace Mediation, Gichd, Swiss Peace

Global CWD Repository

The humanitarian consequences of mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) are extensive and long lasting. This fact suggests the relevance of having them addressed in negotiations among conflict parties and included in ceasefire and peace agreements. Nevertheless, the link between mine action (also called humanitarian demining) and peace mediation is underexplored in practice and theory as is illustrated by the limited guidance and literature on the matter. This issue brief aims to explore to what extent the two communities of practice could overcome the tendency of working in isolation and benefit from one another. It also shows that mine …

Qasef: Escaping The Bombing, Hi

Global CWD Repository

This study confirms that the use of explosive weapons in populated areas in Syria is at times nearly continuous, with indiscriminate bombing that lasts for days. The attacks are sometimes seemingly random, until there is complete destruction of an area. All Syrians interviewed said they fled because of the various effects of the conflict, and most of them stressed that the main reason for leaving their homes was the use of explosive weapons in their villages, towns, and cities. In our interviews, explosive weapons were mentioned as the overriding factor forcing Syrians out as they fled from their homes.

Analysis …

Briefing Paper On The Convention On Cluster Muntions, Icbl-Cmc

Global CWD Repository

The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions is a legally binding international treaty that comprehensively prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions, requires destruction of stockpiled cluster munitions within eight years, and clearance of contaminated land within ten years. It recognises the rights of individuals and communities affected by the weapon and requires states to provide assistance. The Convention also obliges countries to assist affected states to fulfil their obligations.

The Convention was signed by 94 states when it opened for signature in Oslo, Norway on 3 December 2008. Sixty percent of the world’s states have now joined …

Landmine Monitor 2016, Icbl-Cmc

Global CWD Repository

This is the 18th annual Landmine Monitor report. It is the sister publication to the Cluster Munition Monitor report, first published in November 2010. Landmine Monitor 2016 provides a global overview of the landmine situation. Chapters on developments in specific countries and other areas are available in online Country Profiles at www.the-monitor.org/cp.

Landmine Monitor covers mine ban policy, use, production, trade, and stockpiling, and also includes information on contamination, clearance, casualties, victim assistance, and support for mine action. The report focuses on calendar year 2015, with information included up to November 2016 when possible.

To Walk The Earth In Safety 16th Edition (Cy2016), Us Dos Pm/Wra

Global CWD Repository

Even after a conflict ends and the fighters have gone home, the threats from landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and at-risk weapons and munitions remain. These threats foment instability; as long as men, women, and children fear to move about their communities due to the lingering threat of landmines and UXO, a society can never fully heal and rebuild.

The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) works with foreign governments and nongovernmental organizations to deliver programs and services aimed at reducing the harmful effects of at-risk, illicitly proliferated, and indiscriminately used …

14th Meeting Of The States Parties To The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (2015), Apmbc

Global CWD Repository

The Fourteenth Meeting of the States Parties (14MSP) was a formal meeting of the 162 States Parties to the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction. It was held in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention and pursuant to the decision of the Convention’s 2014 Third Review Conference. At the Third Review Conference, it was agreed that the 14MSP would take place in Geneva during the week of 30 November to 4 December 2015. The Conference further agreed to designate H.E. Ambassador Bertrand de Crombrugghe of Belgium, …

The First Review Conference Of The Convention On Cluster Munitions (2015), Ccm

Global CWD Repository

As agreed at the 5MSP, the First Review Conference of the CCM took place in Dubrovnik, Croatia, from 7 to 11 September 2015.

Unisdr Scientific And Technical Advisory Group Case Studies 2015 | The Use Of Geographic Information Systems For Environmental Impact Assessments In Mine Action, Gianluca Maspoli, Angela Desantis

Global CWD Repository

The 'do no harm' approach to mine action requires that mine action organisations consider the possible negative impacts of mine clearance operations. They must ensure they do not lead to longer-term vulnerability or threaten livelihoods and food security and, by mitigating environmental damage, they should contribute to disaster risk reduction. The combined use of remotely sensed data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be a sound solution to assess pre-contamination conditions, monitor both the environmental impact and the effects of mitigation activities, analyse consequences of natural disasters on contamination, and, finally, support an evidence-based decision making process.

Gender & Diversity In Mine Action Quality Management, Gichd, Gender In Mine Action

Global CWD Repository

This guide has been developed to assist mine action stakeholders to mainstream gender and diversity in quality management, documentation and practices. This guide is designed for use by a broad range of actors, including:

• National Mine Action Authorities
• National Mine Action Centres
• UN agencies
• Non-governmental organisations
• Commercial contractors

This guide includes a checklist to help ensure that gender and diversity considerations are mainstreamed into the core documentation in quality management, such as: national mine action standards (NMAS), national technical standards and guides, standard operating procedures (SOP), and quality planning, quality assurance, and quality control forms. It also provides mine action …

National Capacities And Residual Contamination | Nepal, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This case study forms part of a broader GICHD study on national capacities and residual contamination and is based on both desk-top research and findings from a GICHD mission to Nepal between April and May 2014. The purpose of the report is to document Nepal’s experience of developing national clearance capacities to address residual contamination and to identify and present good practices and lessons learnt.

Gender & Diversity In Contracting And Grants Management, Gichd, Gender In Mine Action

Global CWD Repository

This toolkit has been developed to assist mine action stakeholders to mainstream gender and diversity in contracting and grants management documentation and practices. The guide is designed for use by a broad range of actors, including:

• Donor agencies
• National Mine Action Authorities
• UN agencies
• Other mine action partners that subcontract components of their work to other organisations

The toolkit is composed of a checklist that seeks to ensure that gender and diversity considerations are mainstreamed into the core documentation in contracting and grants management, such as: requests for proposals (RFP); invitations to bid; call for expression of interest; grant application …

An Impact Assessment Of The Armed Violence Reduction Project In North Western Kenya, Michelle Engels

Global CWD Repository

The current report will discuss an impact assessment of the AVR project. The impact assessment was made possible via the administration of the Pre & Post-Impact Assessments (PIA) survey. The PIA survey was designed for two purposes. Firstly, it was designed to establish a baseline on; i) the levels of community knowledge regarding small arms and SGBV, ii) the perceived prevalence of armed violence in the targeted regions, iii) the safety perceptions within the targeted communities, and iv) the knowledge within the targeted communities of appropriate reporting and security structures. The second function of the PIA was to act as …

Landmine Monitor 2015, Icbl-Cmc

Global CWD Repository

Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor provides research and monitoring for the ICBL and the CMC and is formally a program of the ICBL-CMC. It is the de facto monitoring regime for the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions. It monitors and reports on States Parties’ implementation of, and compliance with, the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and more generally, it assesses the international community’s response to the humanitarian problems caused by landmines, cluster munitions, and other explosive remnants of war (ERW). The Monitor represents the first time that NGOs have come together in …

Norwegian People's Aid Partnership Policy, Npa

Global CWD Repository

Norwegian Peoples Aid has a longstanding tradition of closely linking our international solidarity work and cooperation with people’s own initiatives and agendas. This implies the strengthening of their organisations as a strategy for the. empowerment of people and communities, as well as for their ability to influence the conditions under which they live. Such focus and purpose are reflected in NPA’s support of liberation movements and people’s organisations in communities where open conflict exists as well as in societies in the process of democratisation. These intentions are also reflected in NPA’s statements regarding its governing principles as well as in …

Norwegian People's Aid Weapons Policy, Npa

Global CWD Repository

As a field-based organization working in conflict areas and specializing in operations that address weapons and ammunition, NPA has proven that it is well placed to contribute to processes to develop and strengthen international policies, rules, and norms to better protect civilians and the environment from unacceptable harm. Building on the experience of our contributions to the global movements that successfully banned antipersonnel mines and cluster munitions, NPA will continue to have a strong voice on other unresolved or emerging weapons-related issues that call for an international response.

Some of the weapons issues for which an NPA policy is set …

To Walk The Earth In Safety 14th Edition (Fy2014), Us Dos Pm/Wra

Global CWD Repository

For more than two decades, the United States has been at the forefront of international efforts to reduce the worldwide threat to civilians from landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and other conventional weapons of war. Just 15 years ago, landmines and other explosive remnants of war killed or injured nearly 10,000 men, women, and children every year—more than 25 every day. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the United States, partner nations, international nongovernmental organizations, and host nations, that figure has now dropped by more than 60%.

The 14th edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety documents the United States’ …

The Evolving Context Of Mine Action, David Atwood

Global CWD Repository

The purpose of this study is two-fold:

1) To examine the changing nature of arms control and disarmament, focusing on what appear to be a few of the most promising frameworks for tackling the relationship between weapons management and the wider goals of development, security and peacebuilding

2) To reflect that thinking back onto mine action itself.

The study, by providing an overview of the wider context within which mine action is operating, sketches out dimensions that seem of particular relevance to thinking about the future of mine action in an increasingly complex and challenging global context.

To Walk The Earth In Safety 13th Edition (Fy2013), Us Dos Pm/Wra

Global CWD Repository

The 13th edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety describes the programs and partnerships that comprise the U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) Program. Since 1993, the U.S. has led the international donor community in reducing the harmful effects of poorly secured, unstable or illegally traded conventional weapons of war. We have contributed over $2.3 billion to more than 90 countries around the world.

This mission resonates with my own experience. I started my career in Afghanistan, where explosive remnants of war had already claimed thousands of lives. I am proud to be in a position to oversee U.S. efforts …

The Fifth Meeting Of States Parties To The Convention On Cluster Munitions (2014), Ccm

Global CWD Repository

On 2 September 2014, the Fifth Meeting of States Parties was opened by the Permanent Representative of Zambia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Encyla Sinjela, on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Zambia and President of the Fourth Meeting of States Parties to the Convention, Harry Kalaba. This was preceded by an opening ceremony in San José on 1 September 2014, which was hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, Manuel A. González Sanz, and attended by the President of Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera.

Doing No Harm? Mine Action And Land Issues In Cambodia, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Land conflict, tenure insecurity and an inequitable distribution of land are among the most pressing challenges facing Cambodia today. In a country in which most people depend on agriculture, livestock rearing, fishing and forest products for their livelihoods, secure access to safe and productive land is crucial. Yet, over the past decade land conflict has increased dramatically, with one NGO reporting having recorded disputes involving 700,000 people between 2000 and 2012. Land distribution is highly unequal: In 2010 it was estimated that just one percent of the population owned 30 percent of Cambodia’s land.

In addition to land-related disputes, landlessness …

The Maputo Review Conference Outcome Document, Apmbc

Global CWD Repository

A valuable reference manual about the Convention has been released by the Implementation Support Unit (ISU), thanks to funding provided by the European Union.

The brochure serves as a valuable reference tool, as it contains the Convention’s text and the main outcome documents from the June 2014 Maputo Review Conference:

• the Maputo Action Plan,
• the Maputo +15 Declaration and,
• the mandates of the Convention’s committees and office holders.

Bridges Between Worlds Conference, Apmbc

Global CWD Repository

Bridges between Worlds was an initiative to address some fundamental questions about the place of victim assistance in other domains, such as the worlds of disability, heath care, education, employment, development, poverty reduction and human rights.

Bridges between Worlds highlighted that those who care deeply about the ful lment of the Convention’s promise to landmine victims and survivors have much in common with those concerned with the well- being and the rights of women, girls, boys and men injured and living with disabilities regardless of the cause. There is strength in pursuing this unity of purpose and working together towards …

Bridges Between Worlds | Chairperson's Summary | April 2014, Ap Mine Ban Convention

Global CWD Repository

Bridges between Worlds was a global conference sponsored by the European Union that addressed fundamental questions about the place of landmine victim assistance in other domains, such as the worlds of disability, heath care, education, employment, development, poverty reduction and human rights.

The Bridges between Worlds Chairperson’s Summary highlights that those who care deeply about the fulfilment of the Convention’s promise to landmine victims and survivors have much in common with those concerned with the wellbeing and the rights of women, girls, boys and men injured and living with disabilities regardless of the cause.

Guide To Mine Action 2014, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

Mine action is developing at a rapid pace and the sector has evolved in recent years with a continuous improvement of methodologies, the adoption of new approaches and a broadened scope.

The fifth edition of the Guide to Mine Action, published by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), addresses these developments. The publication aims to provide readers with an understanding of mine action (what it is, how it is regulated and how it has evolved over the years) as well as to describe how its components are managed in practice by the different actors in the sector. Given …

Cluster Munitions: A Banned Weapon, Icbl-Cmc

Global CWD Repository

Cluster Munitions: A Banned Weapon

Stigma: The Political Costs Of Using Cluster Munitions, Icbl-Cmc

Global CWD Repository

The movement to end the suffering caused by cluster munitions succeeded not only in establishing a legal ban in the form of the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), but also in decisively reshaping the global perception of these weapons. Over the past decade, the awareness-raising and political mobilization surrounding cluster munitions have led to an understanding among states that any use would be associated with unnecessary human suffering and would most certainly provoke considerable international criticism. In other words, the political movement and legal ban have created a powerful stigma associated with the use of cluster munitions, a stigma …

Norwegian People's Aid Humanitarian Disarmament Strategy, Npa

Global CWD Repository

Beginning in 1992, Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) has implemented mine action programmes in more than 40 states and territories. The strategy presented here builds on our experience, accomplishments, and lessons learned. It identifies new directions and priorities, and expands our work from mine action to broader areas of humanitarian disarmament. By ‘humanitarian disarmament’ we mean all operations and advocacy which aim to reduce and prevent harm to civilians from the impacts of weapons and ammunition. It is disarmament motivated and guided by humanitarian and development imperatives, rather than strategic national interests and international stability, and where civil society plays a …