Conveying Lebanon’S Cluster Bomb Issue Through Film,
2011
Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at JMU (CISR)
Conveying Lebanon’S Cluster Bomb Issue Through Film, News Brief
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Death in the Fields is an animated documentary that focuses on the cluster bomb crisis in southern Lebanon.
Suspected Cluster-Munition Use By Pro-Gaddafi Forces,
2011
Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at JMU (CISR)
Suspected Cluster-Munition Use By Pro-Gaddafi Forces, News Brief
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In April 2011, The New York Times reported that pro-Gaddafi forces used cluster munitions on the civilian population in the city of Misrata.
Scamp Anti-Personnel Mine Roller Performance Testing,
2011
Consultant to Humanistic Robotics Inc.
Scamp Anti-Personnel Mine Roller Performance Testing, Erik De Brun, Scott Poff
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Humanistic Robotics Inc, a U.S.-based designer and manufacturer of mechanical demining machines and roboticsupport equipment, hypothesized that a well-designed roller utilized in the appropriate environments would be an important part of the mechanical demining toolkit. To test this hypothesis, HRI designed, developed and tested a novel anti-personnel mine roller—the Specialized Compact Automated Mechanical Clearance Platform Roller. This article highlights the SCAMP Roller’s unique design features, describes two testing events performed to evaluate effectiveness and discusses the test findings.
Afghan Deminers Kidnapped And Killed,
2011
Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at JMU (CISR)
Afghan Deminers Kidnapped And Killed, News Brief
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
An investigation into the brutal killing of at least four Afghan deminers captured in Western Farah in early July 2011 is ongoing. Details about the incident and the suspected perpetrators are not yet confirmed.
Laos: Legacy Of A Secret,
2011
Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at JMU (CISR)
Laos: Legacy Of A Secret, Book Review
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
During the Indochina War from 1964 to 1973, the United States dropped more than 270 million cluster munitions on Lao PDR.
Elizabeth Macnairn Named Handicap International (Usa) Director,
2011
Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at JMU (CISR)
Elizabeth Macnairn Named Handicap International (Usa) Director, News Brief
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
On 1 June 2011, Elizabeth MacNairn was named Director of Handicap International (USA).
Harvard Tests Smartphones For Demining,
2011
Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at JMU (CISR)
Harvard Tests Smartphones For Demining, News Brief
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
A team of researchers, composed of professors, a recent graduate from Harvard College, and a postdoctoral associate from the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), presented a research and technology paper at the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems entitled “Evaluating a Pattern-Based Visual Support Approach for Humanitarian Landmine Clearance.” The conference was held 7–12 May 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Remote Explosive Scent Tracing Of Explosive Remnants Of War: A Perspective From The 2010 Morogoro Workshop,
2011
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Remote Explosive Scent Tracing Of Explosive Remnants Of War: A Perspective From The 2010 Morogoro Workshop, Brent (Max) Jones, Rune Fjellanger, Christophe Cox, Alan Poling
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In March 2010, a workshop was held in Morogoro, Tanzania, to consider the past, present and future status of the Remote Explosive Scent Tracing system for explosive- remnants-of-war detection. This article summarizes the workshop’s discussions and explains lessons learned from the REST research project in Morogoro.
We Can Only Be “Mine-Safe” When We Are “Mine-Free”,
2011
International Campaign to Ban Landmines
We Can Only Be “Mine-Safe” When We Are “Mine-Free”, Tamar Gabelnick
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Despite the fact that the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction makes no mention of the term “mine-safe,” it is still a frequent term used by mine-contaminated states. However, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines maintains that in order for states to be safe from the dangers posed by mines, all mined areas must be cleared—not only those areas which are deemed to pose an immediate threat.
Gichd Wins Making A Difference Award,
2011
Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at JMU (CISR)
Gichd Wins Making A Difference Award, News Brief
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In July 2011, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining was presented with a prestigious, geographic industry award for its work in developing and implementing the Information Management System for Mine Action.
Small-Arms And Light-Weapons Risk Education In Iraq,
2011
MAG (Mines Advisory Group)
Small-Arms And Light-Weapons Risk Education In Iraq, Meredith Wotten, Kirsty Jenatsch
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
MAG (Mines Advisory Group) has one of Iraq’s most established mine-risk education programs. In 2007, MAG identified a regional need to warn people, particularly children, about the risk of handling guns and other weapons. Drawing on more than 16 years of experience and skill in MRE delivery, MAG aimed to adapt existing methodologies and successfully expand the MRE program to include small-arms and light-weapons risks.
The Mine Action Technology Workshop,
2011
Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at JMU (CISR)
The Mine Action Technology Workshop, Nicole Neitzey
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Sponsored by the United Nations Mine Action Service and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, the Mine Action Technology Workshop is a biannual event held in Geneva, Switzerland in early September. The 2010 event featured theoretical and practical discussions, as well as a newly added opportunity to see technology in action. This article highlights the events and outcomes of the workshop.
Humanitarian Disarmament,
2011
Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD)
Humanitarian Disarmament, Pascal Rapillard
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article examines the evolution of international humanitarian law, specifically as it relates to the conventions banning or restricting conventional weapons. The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction and the Convention on Cluster Munitions are discussed here, as they form a distinctive type of disarmament—humanitarian disarmament.
U.N. Announces Nepal Is Minefield-Free,
2011
Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at JMU (CISR)
U.N. Announces Nepal Is Minefield-Free, News Brief
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
On 14 June 2011, the U.N. declared Nepal to be minefield-free. Nepalese troops cleared the last of the 53 minefields remaining from Nepal’s 10-year civil conflict (1996–2006).
Lessons Learned: Sri Lankan Mine-Action Staff Visit Cambodia And Lao Pdr,
2011
UNICEF
Lessons Learned: Sri Lankan Mine-Action Staff Visit Cambodia And Lao Pdr, Sebastian Kasack
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The need for a comprehensive mine-action program is not always recognized as countries pursue demining efforts. This article describes Sri Lankan mine-action groups’ efforts to create a more comprehensive and cohesive mine-action program through regional visits to Cambodia and Lao PDR. It offers insight and advice to groups interested in pursuing the same avenue.
Linking Mine Action And Development: Local-Level Benefits And Challenges,
2011
Humanitarian Technology Consulting Ltd
Linking Mine Action And Development: Local-Level Benefits And Challenges, Russell Gasser
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In many post-conflict regions, landmines and explosive remnants of war remain, limiting recovery and development even after mine-clearance projects are completed. A number of mine-clearance organizations are starting to promote “linking mine action and development” as a better alternative to a separate and uncoordinated approach.
Clearing Cluster Bombs On The Ho Chi Minh Trail Video Wins Cnn Award,
2011
Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at JMU (CISR)
Clearing Cluster Bombs On The Ho Chi Minh Trail Video Wins Cnn Award, News Brief
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
CNN announced the video Clearing Cluster Bombs on the Ho Chi Minh Trail as winner of the CNN iReport Community Choice Award on 15 March 2011 for best iReport submitted in 2010.
Tucker’S Story: Dca’S Trustworthy Man In The Field,
2011
DanChurchAid
Tucker’S Story: Dca’S Trustworthy Man In The Field, Tamar Szeps-Znaider
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article offers a brief glimpse into the path of an Angolan deminer who, over the years, has developed into a known figure within the international mine action community. Quickly rising through positions of responsibility, Tucker demonstrates qualities of leadership, and his success is a testament to his work ethic and dedication.
Land Rights In Mine-Affected Countries,
2011
McGill University
Land Rights In Mine-Affected Countries, Jon Unruh, Gabrielle Chaizy, Sharmala Naidoo
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Land rights in conflict and post-conflict environments is an increasing area of concern within humanitarian and development communities. When conflicts end, land rights may be threatened, especially for women, subsistence farmers and other marginalized populations. Secure land rights are, therefore, a critical issue for humanitarian response, sustainable peace-building and longer-term economic recovery, particularly in countries where agriculture is key to livelihoods. While mine-action activities such as priority-setting, survey and clearance bring mine-action organizations into direct contact with land-rights issues, most tend to avoid these issues. This article looks at how mine-action organizations can better address land issues.
The Peco Wolverine: Evolution Of A Demining Area-Preparation Tool,
2011
DoD Humanitarian Demining Program
The Peco Wolverine: Evolution Of A Demining Area-Preparation Tool, Ronald Collins, Thomas Henderson
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This article discusses the development of an essential mine-action tool: a preparation system for demining areas thick with vegetation. After covering the need for the technology, the authors explain how a commercially available product evolved into a highly capable remote-controlled vegetation cutter for demining, and how the manufacturer subsequently adopted the modified system for the commercial marketplace. Modifications made to the PECO are discussed in depth, and an accompanying analysis provides interesting insight into how the PECO project became a success for those in need of an efficient and effective brush-clearing device.
