Peace and Conflict Studies Commons^™

Mine Action In North Sudan, Khalid Ibrahim Hamed

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

North Sudan’s National Mine Action Centre is making great strides toward clearing all known mined areas in Sudan’s northern regions by April 2014. In the following article, the author, a Quality Assurance Officer for NMAC, explores NMAC’s work, future plans, and how it has linked mine action to development and recovery in North Sudan.

Hero Profile: Aki Ra, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Khmer Rouge made Aki Ra a soldier when he was still a child. Now, close to 30 years later, he can be found working tirelessly to remove landmines and unexploded ordnance in Siem Reap, Cambodia—some planted by his own hands. As a result of his work, the Cambodia Landmine Relief Museum Facility houses thousands of detonated landmines and UXO, and provides a home for orphaned landmine victims. Aki Ra has received international recognition for his humanitarian efforts, including his recent selection as a Top 10 candidate for the CNN Hero of the Year award.

The Growing Threat To Humanitarian Operations, Adrian King

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Deminers and other humanitarian-aid workers around the world, though previously viewed as off-limits, have become targets of distrust and even violence by certain groups. This article explores the reasons for this shift in ideology, and what action humanitarian organizations must take in order to protect their personnel.

Falkland Islands Demining Pilot Project: Completion Of Phase 1, Robin Swanson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The United Kingdom has started to remove anti-personnel mines from the Falkland/Malvinas Islands in order to meet its obligations under Article 5 of the Ottawa Convention. A pilot phase was completed in June 2010 to clear four suspected hazardous areas—a critical first step to inform future projects following the conclusion of the Joint U.K.-Argentine Feasibility Study.

Strengthening The Demining Sector Response To Hiv/Aids In Sub-Saharan Africa, Martin Chitsama

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In this article, the author explores how HIV/AIDS affects deminers in the African areas where the disease is most prevalent. He considers how deminers’ lifestyles make them especially susceptible to HIV/AIDS and suggests mobile HIV/AIDS programs can effectively combat this growing threat.

Economic Reintegration And Rehabilitation Of Nepalese Landmine/Ied Victims, Purna Shova Chitraker

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article examines the effectiveness of a victim-assistance program in Nepal conducted by Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal (NCBL). In the program’s two phases, the organization helped rehabilitate 67 victims of landmines and improvised explosive devices and reintegrate them into society. The report details the NCBL’s program goals, activities and outcomes, and addresses the challenges and future aspirations of victim assistance in Nepal.

In Remembrance: Stephen “Darby” Allan, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Stephen “Darby” Allan, a Technical Field Manager with Mines Advisory Group, died on 15 October 2010, following an explosion in which he was critically injured. The explosion took place around noon as Darby was doing mine-clearance work at a site near Kapoeta, in southern Sudan. He died a few hours later. Darby is survived by his wife Karen and his children, Sarah and David.

The Effect Of Reinforcement Rate Variations On Hits And False Alarms In Remote Explosive Scent Tracing With Dogs, Rebecca Sargisson, Ian Mclean

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Detection animals offer untapped potential in terms of locating landmines and explosive ordnance in the field and in the laboratory. In this study, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining investigated the effect of low, medium, and high levels of reward on the performance of six dogs searching filters for explosive odor.

The Advanced Intelligence Decision Support System For The Assessment Of Mine-Suspected Areas, Milan Bajic

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Several research and development projects have been created to utilize airborne and spaceborne remote sensing for mine action, but the Advanced Intelligence Decision Support System is the first mine-action technology to successfully combine remote sensing with advanced intelligence methodology. The result is a rigorously operationally validated system that improves hazardous risk assessment for greater efficiency in land cancellation and release. This article discusses the components of the AI DSS system and its achievements in mine action.

Itep Evaluation Of Metal Detectors And Dual-Sensor Detectors, Kazunori Takahashi, Dieter Gulle

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since its development in the early 1970s, scientists from an array of disciplines have found reason to utilize ground-penetrating radar to create radar images of the subsurface. The following article examines how GPR use in combination with standard metal detectors could aid workers in the field of demining.

Destruction Of Cluster Munitions In Moldova, Colin King

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

For some countries affected by cluster munitions, the obligations to demilitarize that accompany ratification of the Convention on Cluster Munitions may appear daunting. In 2009, however, Norwegian People’s Aid undertook a pilot project in Moldova to find a cheaper, more efficient alternative-disposal method. They discovered that not only can destruction of cluster munitions be done more effectively, but also that by using locally administered programs, international organizations can promote capacity building and increased employment while also bolstering national pride and commitment to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

The Bridge From Hold To Build, Yori Escalante

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In Afghanistan, the United States and United Nations are developing a new approach to community-based demining by funding local nongovernmental organizations. The use of these Afghan NGOs has not only allowed clearance to begin more quickly and continue more effectively, but has also helped the local population along the path to recovery and supported overall counterinsurgency efforts.

Mine-Action Funding: Gichd Survey Of Donor Countries, Jean Devlin, Sharmala Naidoo

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A recent survey of donors conducted by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining found that, while short-term donor support remains strong, levels of funding may decrease and become more unpredictable over the coming years.

The Mine Action Programme Of Afghanistan, Mohammed Haider Reza

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Mine Action Programme of Afghanistan, coordinated by the Mine Action Coordination Centre of Afghanistan, faces a unique set of challenges in combating the national mine/explosive-remnants-of-war contamination problem. The ongoing war and changing political climate force the country’s mine-action plan to adapt to meet new demands as they emerge. The following summary of MAPA’s activities highlights these challenges and their implications for the continued humanitarian effort in Afghanistan.

Organization Profile: Small Arms Survey, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Established in 1999, Small Arms Survey is an independent research project providing public information on all aspects of small arms and armed violence. The project conducts and collaborates on research efforts related to small-arms issues worldwide, seeking to further the theory and practice of disarmament and reduction of small arms. Its most recent yearbook focused on armed groups, gangs, and their small-arms holdings and means of acquisition.

Profile: “Remnants Of A War,” Directed By Jawad Metni, Documentary Review

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

During the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah War, Israeli forces dropped more than four million cluster munitions on Southern Lebanon. By conservative estimates, these bombs fail to detonate 30 percent of the time. This rate, when coupled with a 2009 stall in the funding process, has left more than 12 million square meters (2,965 acres) of land threatening the safety and lives of local residents. Responding to this danger, Director Jawad Metni uses his film,“Remnants of a War,” to document the trained, local deminers of Southern Lebanon as they diligently work to remove the remaining munitions more than three years after the …

Ddasaccident591, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On the 15th of October 2010 a demining accident occurred on site DA-SS-2091 in the Kapoeta locality of Eastern Equatoria where the international TFM sustained fatal injuries due to an uncontrolled detonation which occurred whilst his excavating/preparing a No4 AP mine for demolitions in situ. After initial medical care, the seriously injured TFM later succumbed to his wounds while on the Kapoeta airstrip under the attention of medical personnel awaiting air evacuation to more suitable medical facilities.

Giving Foot The Boot: Right Or Wrong?, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The article examines philosopher Philippa Foot’s famous conundrum – The Trolley Problem.

Ddasaccident808, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

At 08:16 the Head of the Operational Management of [Demining group] Mr.[Name removed] reported to the radio-operator [Name removed] about mine explosion in the mine field No. 2 - Arjamazor village Kevron. A deminer of the group #4 [the Victim] was injured from PMN-2 and ML-7. Their characteristics are indicated in below table.

Cybersecurity: Growing Like Topsy!, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article discusses cybersecurity in an intelligence context – what it is, what it does to us, and the sudden (and somewhat unplanned) increase in financial support for the area.

Ddasaccident753, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On the 7th Oct 2010 at 08:40, the deminer [the Victim] initiated a PMN anti-personnel mine with a pick outside of his clearance lane which caused the accident. The section leader was around 60 meters away busy in taking coordinates of a found mine with GPS and the team leader was busy in admin area updating the attendance sheet. The deminer was busy in the minefield without being observed by the command group for almost 15 minutes during the operation while the accident happened.

Ddasaccident606, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On Saturday 02 October 2010 at approximately 10:00am a [Civil Contractor] grader struck an AT mine approximately one meter from the road center-line whilst carrying-out maintenance on the Juba to Nimule Road. The grader operator suffered serious injuries as a result of the blast. He was evacuated to a hospital in Juba, stabilized and then as he was from Uganda he was evacuated the following day to Kampala for further treatment. The grader operator later died from his injuries 20 October in Kampala.

Coalition For Prisoners' Rights Newsletter, Vol 35-B, No. 10, Coalition For Prisoners' Rights

Coalition for Prisoners' Rights Newsletters

Surviving Columbus: ¡Que Viva la Raza!

Sus Derechos en la Carcel [Know Your Rights in Jail]

Ordenes de Sujeción de ICE [ICE Holds]

Execution Blocked

Soliciting Holiday Card Design

Out Of Conflict Comes Creation: A New Era For Contemporary Music In Belfast, Martha Slenker

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This report is the outcome of a month-long exploratory study on growth of the contemporary music scene in Belfast, United Kingdom. Data was obtained by way of qualitative methods using focused interviews with five musicians and one music organization’s executive, and participant observations came from attending concert venues and music organizations in Belfast. Through these methods, it can be concluded that this is a new era for the current contemporary music scene. Despite Belfast’s reputation as a chaotic and dangerous city after decades worth of political and social unrest, the musicians have broken free from the chains of their past, …

Faith & Reconciliation: A Study Of Christian Forgiveness In Post-Genocide Rwanda, Brynn Muir

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

If we are to study reconciliation in Rwanda, we cannot avoid studying the influence on religion, specifically Christianity. This paper will assess the reality of the Church’s influence in the genocide and in the overall reconciliation effort, using the theological foundations upon which the reconciliation movement is founded. After discerning which theological principles are most relevant to reconciliation as a whole, this paper will evaluate which methods employed as a result of those principles are most effectively making a positive impact on Rwandan society. It will assess how faith-based reconciliatory efforts are influenced by Rwanda’s past and by the larger …

Kenya’S Post-Election Violence: Using A Kisii-Luo Case Study For A Critique Of Common Thought, Josh Gwin

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

A first step in a series of studies intended to discover how members of Kenyan ethnic groups elect National, Political and Ethnic identities, and how that election affected the 2007-2008 Post Election Violence, this field study examines as case study the relationship between the Kisii and Luo ethnic groups, setting up a comparison between the Kisii-Kipsigis ethnic relationship. Finding that the questions asked by actors such as the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights were fundamentally wrong and incomplete, this study identifies questions of more significance to crisis-prevention and begins to identify methods to improve local civic-engagement within a community …

Conflicting Or Complimentary? The Varying Approaches To Humanitarian Action, Andre Patzke

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In the international humanitarian aid community (IHAC), a group of national, political, public, and private actors, there are many dichotomies. These differences range from the organizations’ structures to their humanitarian philosophies. One philosophical schism amongst the IHAC actors is the seemingly contradictory approaches of the UN’s cluster system and that of the Dunantist organizations. In general, this schism can be characterized as a contrast in humanitarian ideologies; the integrated approach, which includes political development, on the one hand, and strict humanitarian aid that stays removed from issues of development on the other.

It was not the focus of my research …

Nationalism And Public Opinion In Contemporary Spain: The Demobilization Of The Working Class In Catalonia, César García

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of Arts and Humanities

This paper examines the relationship between nationalism and public opinion in the region of Catalonia in contemporary Spain. It analyzes the interaction of the climate of opinion, expectations, poll results, and political action. This holistic approach permits a conclusion that successive Catalan governments and the political class, in an effort to solidify their foothold in and emerging democracy, have been successful in creating a climate of opinion that has encouraged the nationalist part of the Catalan population, concentrated proportionally in highest socioeconomic strata, to be actively involved in politics, while at the same time demobilizing a significant part of the …

Venus In Furs: Why False Confessions Are True, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The author discusses the nature of truth and false confessions in the context of confession and interrogation.

Ddasaccident703, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The deminer was working in the centre lane in the main minefield 346 and he recovered 6 M14 APs. At 12:15 hrs he started to approach AP M14 and he located one cluster then he moved to the next one, and while he was conducting visual check stage, he did not follow the proper procedure to remove the grass ,instead of using grass cutter to remove the grass he used his bared hand to pull the grass which accidentally caused the blast.