NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY WELCOMES 100TH RATIFICATION OF LANDMINE CONVENTION
July 27, 2000 (2:25 p.m. EDT) No. 186
AXWORTHY WELCOMES 100TH RATIFICATION OF
LANDMINE CONVENTION
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed a historic milestone in the drive to
universalize the global ban on anti-personnel mines. Late yesterday, the Islamic Republic of
Mauritania became the 100th state to ratify the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use,
Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, known
as the Ottawa Convention.
"Achieving the 100th ratification of the Convention in such a short span of time is a clear
expression of the determination of the international community to overcome the humanitarian
challenge posed by anti-personnel mines," said Mr. Axworthy. "It is another concrete indicator of
progress on our way to freeing the world from the threat of this inhumane weapon."
The Convention, which was opened for signature in Ottawa in December 1997, became
international law on March 1, 1999, making it the most rapidly ratified multilateral disarmament
treaty in history. The Convention is unequivocal in banning the production, use and transfer of
anti-personnel mines and calls for the destruction of stockpiled mines within four years of the
Convention's entry-into-force.
In accepting Minister Axworthy's congratulations, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania's
Ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Abderrahim Ould Hadrami, noted the importance of the
Convention to Africa. "Mauritania is located in the most mine-affected region in the world," said
the ambassador. "Mauritania's ratification of the Ottawa Convention demonstrates our
commitment to join the international community in addressing the landmine problem in Africa
and elsewhere."
The Ottawa Convention has been key in establishing a new, international norm against the use of
anti-personnel mines. For the first time in 20 years, mines are being pulled from the ground faster
than they are being planted. In all, approximately 20 million stockpiled mines have been
destroyed and a total of 38 states have ended the production of new mines. Landmine-related
casualty rates in severely mine-affected countries such as Afghanistan, Mozambique, Bosnia and
Cambodia have been dramatically reduced.
States Parties to the Convention, as well as other interested states and non-governmental
organizations, will gather at the Second Meeting of States Parties in Geneva from September 11
to 15, 2000, to review progress in implementing the Convention and set new goals for increased
international co-operation in mine action.
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A list of states that have ratified the Convention is attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
STATES THAT HAVE RATIFIED THE OTTAWA CONVENTION
Albania
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bolivia
Bosnia Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Canada
Chad
Costa Rica
Cote d'Ivoire
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Fiji
France
Germany
Ghana
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Holy See
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Lesotho
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Mozambique
Namibia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Niue
Norway
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Portugal
Qatar
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Samoa
San Marino
Senegal
Seychelles
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Spain
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Tajikistan
Thailand
Trinidad and Tobago
Togo
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Uganda
United Kingdom
Venezuela
Yemen
Zimbabwe
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