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International obligations under the Ottawa Convention
The world celebrated when 122 States signed the Ottawa Convention in December 1997. Then the real work to effectively implement it began. The Ottawa Convention gives a broad framework for dealing with the global landmine problem. When they formally accept its terms, States agree to:
- immediately stop producing, transferring and using anti-personnel mines;
- destroy stockpiled anti-personnel mines within four years of signing the Convention;
- clear mined areas;
- aid mine victims;
- educate people in mine awareness to reduce their risks, and;
- co-operate to comply fully with the Convention.
States' work on these commitments, joined with that of many individuals, non-governmental and international organizations form the efforts known around the world as ‘mine action’.
Find out what mine action is about and how the Ottawa Convention works in these sub-sections:
- State Parties to the Ottawa Convention
- Ending the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of anti-personnel mines
- Reducing mine casualties and delivering mine risk education
- Clearing mined land
- Assisting landmine survivors and their communities
- Meeting of the States Parties and Standing Committee meetings
