Mines Action Canada February

Canadian Landmine Action Week (CLAW) February 22 nd – March 1 st is the 11 th annual CLAW. CLAW celebrates the March 1 st anniversary of the Ottawa Treaty banning landmines becoming international law. Canadians have commemorated our role in this important achievement by organizing educational, media and fundraising events during CLAW.

Reasons to celebrate Canada is a leader in banning landmines. The Convention banning the use, production, transfer and stockpiling and requiring the destruction of the weapon is internationally known as the Ottawa Treaty. Canada was among the first countries to sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions in December

Reasons to celebrate 156 states have joined the Ottawa Treaty. 98 states have signed the Cluster Munitions Ban. 13 states—down from 50 before the Ban—produce landmines. Global trade in landmines is essentially non-existent.

Reasons to celebrate 144 of the 156 States Parties do not have stockpiles of antipersonnel landmines. States Parties have destroyed more than 42 million stockpiled landmines—this is 42 million lives and limbs saved. The number of new landmine casualties is decreasing.

The challenges It’s increasingly difficult to the remaining “tough nut” countries to join the Ottawa Treaty. A survivor is a survivor for life. Landmine and cluster bomb survivors will need medical and socio-economic assistance for decades to come. Deadlines for mine clearance are being missed / extended. Funding for mine action is increasingly scarce.

CLAW: Join in Bombs Away! Wear a Bombs Away! pin and organize a button drive at your school, workplace or community group! Organize a CLAW fundraiser and make a real difference on the ground! Put the Bombs Away! logo on your Facebook page, blog, signature and spread the word!

Mines Action Canada calls for a worldwide ban on landmines and cluster bombs, clearance of all mined areas in affected countries, and immediate, sustainable support for the needs and rights of survivors – no reservations, no exceptions, no loopholes, no excuses. Bombs Away! Join us!