Statement Made by the ICBL Non-State Actors
Working Group
on the Draft Action Plan
30 November t 2004
Hello, All,
Find below the intervention on NSA-related aspects made by the WG at the
Nairobi Summit last 30 Nov.
Also, best wishes to the new "NSA WG Steering Committee" - country
campaigns from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Colombia and Zambia There were very good suggestions made at the NSA session during the ICBL
meeting alst 4 December which signified renewed commitment, identified
new areas for intervention, and more work. We trust in the leadership
capacity of the steering committee and you can count on our active participation
as well.
The Philippine Campaign will complete work on the last NSA Workshop held
26 November on Peace Porcesses, Human Security, NSAs and the Anti-Landmine
Campaign. Happy to note the good discussions and participation that took
place.
We were also able to distribute copies of the Bangkok Workshop Proceedings
to both states and campaigners alike. If you have not received your copy,
pls contact us.
miriam for,
PCBL
------------
Statement Made by the ICBL Non-State Actors Working Group
on the Draft Action Plan
30 November t 2004
The International Campaign to Ban Landmine4s (ICBL) Non-State Actors
Working Group would like to ask this august body to give new life and deeper
meaning to the words and text of the Draft Action Plan by taking into account
the context of conflict areas where armed non-state actors (NSAs) operate
and where NSAs are mine users, producers and victims as well.
But first, we would like to acknowledge the many interventions on the floor
from various governments that have reiterated the need to address NSAs
if we are to truly universalize the mine ban. The recognition of
the importance to address the NSA dimension was heard in today's deliberations
as well as yesterday and last Sunday, at the opening Ceremony, in the speech
made by
His Excellency, the Kenyan president.
We also acknowledge the significant provisions in the Draft Action Plan
that would apply to the NSAdimension of the global mine ban problem. In
particular, we would like to call attention to Action Points Nos. 5 and
7 on Universalization; Action Plan No. 19 on Clearing Mined Areas; Action
Plan
No. 46 on Cooperation on Mine Action; and Action Plan No. 64 on Prevention
and Suppression of Prohibited Acts.
On Action Point No. 5, we are pleased to note the inclusion of peace processes
among the avenues where States are urged to "(S)eize every opportunity
to promote adherence to the Convention." This is definitely a new
element not found in previous declarations of States on the Convention.
The experience of our country campaigns have shown how engagement of NSAs
toward a mine ban and mine action has been greatly facilitated in
the context of peace processes. At the same time, mine ban and mine
action have supported confidence-building and peace process initiatives.
Peace and ceasefire agreements moreover potentially provide mechanisms
for compliance, monitoring and extracting accountability form NSAs on the
matter of mine use and mine action.
On Action Point No. 7, "Continue promoting universal observance
on the Convention's norms, by condemning, and taking appropriate steps
to end the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of APMs by armed non-state
actors." Here we would like to include among the appropriate steps
to be
undertaken the pursuit of conflict resolution measures, and the encouragement
of efforts by country campaigns and NGOs to engage NSAs. This kind
of support from States will assist country campaigners working on the ground
in very difficult and dangerous circumstances. State understanding
and support will at the least provide a measure of physical security to
campaigners taking the extra steps to reach out and secure NSA cooperation.
I would like to add that the Philippine government (my government) would
be making an enunciation of the importance of this support in its statement
later.
On Action Point No. 19 calling on States to "(U)rgently develop and
implement national plans, using a process that involves, where relevant,
local actors and mine-affected communities.." Here, we would like
to call attention to the fact that "local actors" can include
NSAs. The experience in Sudan and Sri Lanka where cooperative
mine action plans between the State and the NSAs have progressed
significantly has provided some kind of a model showing the advantages
of this approach of including all relevant actors in the development of
mine action programs and plans.
On Section IV, Assisting the Victims, we ask you to include in this
aspect the fact of NSAs being mine victims as well. They have become
victims not only of State mines but also of their own mines. In our
experience in some conflict countries, NSAs being killed by their own mines
was a powerful argument to make them re-think their own use and production
of mines.
On Action Point No. 46, Cooperation and Assistance, asking States to "(C)ontinue
to support, as appropriate, mine action to assist affected population in
areas under the control of non-state armed actors, particularly in areas
under the control of actors which have agreed to abide by the Convention's
norms." We reiterate the importance of this kind of cooperation
and assistance on mine action involving NSAs. Again, our experience,
notably in Sudan and Sri
Lanka has shown that such international assistance has not only facilitated
mine clearance, but effectively and importantly, the return of internally
displaced peoples to their communities.
Finally, on Action Point. No. 64, Prevention and Suppression of Prohibited
Acts and Monitoring Compliance, we acknowledge the authority and
responsibility of States to impose the provisions of the Convention. At
the same time we ask that punitive action be complemented by positive action
such as by facilitating and supporting our country campaigns, civil society,
and NGOs in their efforts to secure mine ban and mine action commitments
from armed non-state actors operating in conflict-affected communities.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Presented by the Philippine Campaign to Ban Landmines, Co-chair, ICBL NSA WG