The Issue

Antipersonnel landmines continue to kill and maim thousands of victims around the world each year. The Mine Ban Treaty, which currently has been signed by 137 countries and ratified by 100 nations (as of August 2000), entered into force on March 1, 1999, unfortunately, still without the United States' signature. In 1998, President Clinton pledged to end the use of all antipersonnel landmines outside of Korea by the year 2003, as well as to sign the Treaty by the year 2006 if alternatives to antipersonnel and mixed-mine systems are found.

Current Activities

The Second Meeting of States Parties to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty will be held 11-15 September 2000 in Geneva, Switzerland at the United Nations Palais des Nations. It is the most important landmine event of the year 2000. There is an effort to secure more ratifications by that date. The world’s biggest holdout is the United States. Campaign activists want supporters to let their Members of Congress hear from them, using the meeting as an occasion.

Campaigns

Local: None. Greater Houston Chapter, Peace Action-Texas, includes U.S. signing and ratification of the treaty on its issue agenda. Contact Herbert Rothschild Jr., Chapter Coordinator, at herbertrothschild@hotmail.com or 713.743.9022.

National: Complete information will be found at www.icbl.org