ID: |
HARP-154 |
Title: |
A ban for all seasons: the landmines convention and its implications for Canadian diplomacy |
Source: |
International Journal, v.53(2) Spr’98 pg 189-203 |
Parties: |
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Dispute Resolution Organ: |
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Year: |
1998 |
Pages: |
0 |
Author(s): |
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Keywords: |
Canada, human rights, United Nations, civil and political rights, security, liberty |
Abstract: |
On 3-5 December 1997 in Ottawa, representatives from 122 countries signed a convention to eliminate the manufacture, use, and export of anti-personnel landmines. Witnessing them were the secretary-general of the United Nations, Canada’s prime minister, delegates from some twenty other observer countries, and a host of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and humanitarian groups. As the number of signatories mounted to unprecedented levels, many other countries indicated that, even if they were not able to sign, they would honour the protocols set out in the convention. A new norm in international disarmament had emerged. In addition, the governments and organizations gathered in Ottawa made commitments of close to half a billion dollars U.S. towards implementing the convention in areas such as destruction of stockpiles, de-mining, and assistance to victims. The signature of the convention was the culmination of intensive campaigning by civil society and national governments. The campaign was exceptional in terms of process, speed, and final goals. A unique coalition of governments, civil society, and international groups worked closely together to bring the convention into being. Dialogue, lobbying, and outreach between governments and civil society on international issues are not new. In what became known as the Ottawa process, however, governments and civil society worked directly together as members of a team. That in itself is rare; the success of the approach in this instance was without parallel. |
Secured: |
False |
Download Article: |
Available here |
Keywords: Canada, civil and political rights, human rights, liberty, security, United Nations