By RASHA AL QAHTANI
Published: 2 November 2007
BAHRAIN will soon ratify a United Nations treaty banning landmines, it was revealed yesterday.
The international treaty, which was launched eight years ago, bans the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of the anti-personnel weapons.
Currently, 155 nations have joined the treaty, with Qatar and Kuwait being the only GCC countries to do so when they signed the convention in 1997 and this year respectively.
By RASHA AL QAHTANI
Published: 2 November 2007
BAHRAIN will soon ratify a United Nations treaty banning landmines, it was revealed yesterday.
The international treaty, which was launched eight years ago, bans the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of the anti-personnel weapons.
Currently, 155 nations have joined the treaty, with Qatar and Kuwait being the only GCC countries to do so when they signed the convention in 1997 and this year respectively.
Bahrain is one of 42 countries that have made a political commitment to join the convention, but has yet to ratify the treaty.
International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) advocacy director Simona Beltrami, who is in Bahrain for a workshop on the treaty, said parliament was keen to ratify the convention.
“Bahrain has never produced or possessed landmines and there are so many reasons why it should join the treaty,” said Ms Beltrami.
The workshop, organised by the ICBL and the Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS), was held yesterday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel for members of Bahrain’s parliament.
Ms Beltrami said it gave MPs further information on the specifics of the treaty and what it would mean for Bahrain.
“MP’s said that they will also propose opening a trust fund to aid other countries suffering from landmines,” she said.
“They will prepare and submit a draft legislation banning landmines to parliament very soon.
“We believe that the government has a very positive role in encouraging other Gulf countries and we are glad that we received a very good response.”
She said there were 70 countries affected by landmines, with 500,000 people injured every year.
“The production and use of landmines should be stopped all around the world,” said Ms Beltrami.
Bahrain is also attending an international meeting about the landmine issue being held in Amman, Jordan, on November 18.
Ms Beltrami said it was good that Bahrain was attending the meeting because it would be able to share its views with other countries and encourage them to ratify the treaty quicker.
“We really welcome the news that Bahrain is going to attend and we are very happy with the response,” she said.
“We are also ready to assist the parliament and the government with any doubts and we will continue following up the progress.”
According to the ICBL website, the 2006 Landmine Monitor Report noted significant developments in Bahrain.
In 2005, it said the Foreign Affairs Ministry told the ICBL that internal processes to consider accession were underway and that no ministry objected to joining the treaty.
Bahrain has voted in favour of every pro-ban UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution since 1996, including UNGA Resolution 60/80 promoting universalisation and full implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty in 2005.
There have been no reports of mine casualties in Bahrain, or of Bahraini nationals suffering mine injuries abroad. Landmine Monitor has never recorded a contribution by the Bahrain government to international mine action programmes. rasha@gdn.com.bh
? Gulf Daily News
