3 December 2007 - Ten years ago today, the treaty banning the use, production, trade and stockpiling of antipersonnel mines was signed in Ottawa, Canada by 122 states.

"Banning a conventional weapon which was used by fighting forces worldwide was a historic achievement which continues to inspire the world," said Jody Williams, who in 1997 was coordinating the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). The ICBL and Jody Williams were jointly awarded the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for their instrumental role in bringing about the treaty.

Over the following 10 years, the ICBL and its member organizations in over 70 countries continued to work tirelessly to ensure that the fine words of the treaty - which aims to eliminate antipersonnel mines and the suffering they cause - became reality for people and communities affected by these weapons in dozens of countries.

Today, the number of States Parties to the treaty has risen to 156, including mine-affected countries as well as former users and producers of the weapon. Only 39 countries have not joined yet, and these include two of the original signatories - Poland and the Marshall Islands - as well as major powers such as China, India, Pakistan, Russia and the United States.

"Despite the absence of important countries, the norm banning antipersonnel mines is firmly taking hold," said Stephen Goose, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch's Arms Division and member of the ICBL's Management Committee. In 2007, only two governments - Burma and Russia - have used antipersonnel mines, and trade has been almost non-existent. The number of producing countries has dropped from more than 50 in the early 1990s to about a dozen.

The treaty has guided states parties in the destruction of over 40 millions stockpiled mines, the clearance of vast mined areas and the assistance of landmine survivors.

However, victim assistance remains inadequate in a number of countries and must be one of the priorities for action by affected states and the international community.

"Support to survivors and our families is still lacking," said Mr. Tun Channareth, ICBL ambassador and a Cambodian landmine survivor, speaking at a press conference in Ottawa today. "Sadly, less than 1% of the 475 million US dollars spent globally last year on mine action went to programs for survivors."

"The Mine Ban Treaty has undeniably been a success, but it is still a work in progress - we must continue our efforts to ensure that it makes a real difference in the lives of individuals and communities haunted by landmines," concluded Sylvie Brigot, ICBL Executive Director. ENDS.../