Landmine Monitor 2007 Launched Successfully in New Delhi

 
The Landmine Monitor 2007 was successfully launched at a function organised at the premises of the Control Arms Foundation of India in New Delhi.  It reports implementation of and compliance with the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, and more generally, to assess the international community’s response to the humanitarian problem caused by landmines. A network of over 70 Landmine Monitor researchers from over 60 countries gathers information to prepare research products. The researchers come from the ICBL’s campaigning coalition and from other elements of civil society, including journalists, academics and research institutions.
Chief Guest, Ambassador (retd.) Satnam Jit Singh, Diplomatic Advisor to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines released the Landmine Monitor 2007. The meeting was attended by a number of dignitaries, academicians, civil society, peace and rights activists, members of the media and serving officers of the Indian security establishment.  
Dr Anuradha Chenoy, Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University and honorary Vice-President of Control Arms Foundation of India welcomed the guests and reiterated that India should have signed the Mine Ban Treaty and called upon civil society to question the concept of “national security” which is not inclusive of security of the people. Ambassador Singh called upon the Government of India that there is no need to wait for “viable alternatives” for India to sign the Mine Ban Treaty. He said, “If 156 countries and their armed forces learnt to protect their borders without using landmines, then India can do it too”.
The global landmine problem and the Mine Ban Treaty issues were presented to the audience by Ms Jacqueline Edwards of Mines Action Canada/SARD  while local case studies of increase use of landmines and IEDs in Northeast India, Kashmir & Naxal affected areas were presented by Ms. Binalakshmi Nepram and Dr Bibhu Routray of Institute of Conflict Management, New Delhi respectively.
A film ” Mind your Steps” documenting landmine problem in India’s Jammu & Kashmir made by Faiyaz Dilbar was also screened. The meeting ended with a series of recommendations under the panel headed by Dr.Tasneem Meenai of Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution, for steps to be taken to address the issue in a more effective and cohesive manner.  Concerned civil societies and individuals are invited to give their feedback on the recommendations before we place it before the governments and other actors involved.