The Convention was concluded by the Diplomatic Conference on an International Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Land Mines at Oslo on 18 September 1997.<\/p>\n
In accordance with its article 15, the Convention was opened for signature at Ottawa, Canada, by all States from 3 December 1997 until 4 December 1997, and remained open thereafter at the United Nations Headquarters in New York until its entry into force on 1 March 1999.<\/p>\n
Landmines come predominantly in two varieties: anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines. Both have caused great suffering in the past decades and continue to kill and injure civilians and by-standers long after conflicts have ended. Anti-personnel mines are prohibited under the Ottawa Convention.<\/p>\n
Since its inception more than two decades ago, the Convention has led to a virtual halt in global production of anti-personnel mines, and a drastic reduction in their deployment. More than 40 million stockpiled mines have been destroyed, and assistance has been provided to survivors and populations living in the affected areas. Vast numbers of mined and suspected hazardous areas have been declared free of landmines and released for productive use. As a result of these efforts, the number of casualties has sharply declined. Other welcome trends include: increases in national capacity to manage complex mine action programmes; the great progress in framing victim assistance in the wider context of disability; and the development of improved risk-reduction tools. The Mine Ban Convention has been a central framework for States in conducting mine action activities that led to all these remarkable achievements.<\/p>\n
Lebanon remains contaminated with cluster munitions, landmines, and explosive remnants of war (ERW) from the 1975\u20131990 Lebanese Civil War; Israeli invasions of southern Lebanon in 1978, 1982, and 2006; and the laying of mines along the Blue Line from 1984\u20132000. Contamination also exists along the northeastern border with Syria due to the Syrian Civil War that began in 2011. Most recently, the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza in October 2023 and subsequent strikes on Hezbollah ammunition and weapon storehouses in southern Lebanon, leading to kick-outs, have added to the extent of the overall cluster munition contamination in Lebanon.<\/i><\/p>\n
As of the end of 2024, Lebanon reported 15.79km\u00b2 of land contaminated with antipersonnel mines and 4.67km\u00b2\u00a0<\/sup>contaminated by cluster munition remnants.<\/i><\/p>\n Lebanon is a State Party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions and has been working towards an Article 4 clearance deadline set at 1 May 2026 through an initial extension request made in 2019. In November 2024, Lebanon submitted a second extension request for four years through 1 May 2030. The extension request was granted during the Thirteenth Meeting of States Parties in September 2025.<\/i><\/p>\n Five national operators and four international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) provided risk education during 2024, though access for teams in the south was limited due to insecurity.<\/p>\n Survivors of mine\/ERW incidents in Lebanon have access to healthcare and rehabilitation, as well as to socio-economic inclusion and psychosocial support services.<\/i><\/p>\n In 2023, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) <\/span>estimated<\/span> that this contamination affects at least 200,000 people in Lebanon. There are more than 1,200 contaminated areas in south Lebanon, covering more than 6.9 million square metres of land, negatively affecting an estimated 200,000 people and UN personnel. To combat this threat, UNIFIL continues to support the Government of Lebanon’s humanitarian mine action activities. In 2022, UNIFIL deminers cleared 25,479 square metres of land and destroyed 5,571 anti-personnel mines. The collaboration between UNMAS, UNIFIL, and the Lebanese Mine Action Center (LMAC) enables UNIFIL to contribute to Lebanon\u2019s vision for \u201cLebanese communities to prosper, free from the threat of explosive ordnance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The Lebanese government has <\/span>shown interest<\/span><\/a> in the Mine Ban Treaty since the early 2000s but pointed to the security situation in the country as an impediment. In December 2009, Lebanon <\/span>confi<\/span><\/a>r<\/span>med<\/span><\/a> that it \u201chas never produced or exported antipersonnel mines.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n In January 2026, Lebanon\u2019s Council of Ministers <\/span>issued<\/span> a decree approving the country\u2019s accession to the treaty.<\/span><\/p>\n Lebanon deposited its instrument of accession to the treaty with the United Nations in New York City on May 1, becoming the 162<\/span>nd<\/span> country to join. The treaty will <\/span>enter into force<\/span> for Lebanon on November 1, 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n Lebanon is now required to submit an initial transparency report to the UN and begin to implement the provisions of the Mine Ban Treaty in territory under its jurisdiction or control under all circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Text:\u00a0<\/strong>Certified true copy<\/a>\u00a0| United Nations, \u00a0Treaty Series\u00a0<\/em>,\u00a0vol. 2056<\/a>, p. 211;\u00a0C.N.163.2003<\/a>.TREATIES-2 of 3 March 2003 [Proposal of corrections to the original of the Convention (authentic Arabic text)] and \u00a0C.N.270.2003<\/a>.TREATIES-4 of 7 April 2003 (acceptance).<\/p>\n Preamble<\/strong><\/p>\n The States Parties,<\/p>\n Determined to put an end to the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel mines, that kill or maim hundreds of people every week, mostly innocent and defenceless civilians and especially children, obstruct economic development and reconstruction, inhibit the repatriation of refugees and internally displaced persons, and have other severe consequences for years after emplacement,<\/p>\n Believing it necessary to do their utmost to contribute in an efficient and coordinated manner to face the challenge of removing anti-personnel mines placed throughout the world, and to assure their destruction,<\/p>\n Wishing to do their utmost in providing assistance for the care and rehabilitation, including the social and economic reintegration of mine victims,<\/p>\n Recognizing that a total ban of anti-personnel mines would also be an important confidence-building measure,<\/p>\n Welcoming the adoption of the Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices, as amended on 3 May 1996, annexed to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects, and calling for the early ratification of this Protocol by all States which have not yet done so,<\/p>\n Welcoming also United Nations General Assembly Resolution 51\/45 S of 10 December 1996 urging all States to pursue vigorously an effective, legally-binding international agreement to ban the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines,<\/p>\n Welcoming furthermore the measures taken over the past years, both unilaterally and multilaterally, aiming at prohibiting, restricting or suspending the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines,<\/p>\n Stressing the role of public conscience in furthering the principles of humanity as evidenced by the call for a total ban of anti-personnel mines and recognizing the efforts to that end undertaken by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and numerous other non-governmental organizations around the world,<\/p>\n Recalling the Ottawa Declaration of 5 October 1996 and the Brussels Declaration of 27 June 1997 urging the international community to negotiate an international and legally binding agreement prohibiting the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines,<\/p>\n Emphasizing the desirability of attracting the adherence of all States to this Convention, and determined to work strenuously towards the promotion of its universalization in all relevant fora including, inter alia, the United Nations, the Conference on Disarmament, regional organizations, and groupings, and review conferences of the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects,<\/p>\n Basing themselves on the principle of international humanitarian law that the right of the parties to an armed conflict to choose methods or means of warfare is not unlimited, on the principle that prohibits the employment in armed conflicts of weapons, projectiles and materials and methods of warfare of a nature to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering and on the principle that a distinction must be made between civilians and combatants,<\/p>\n Have agreed as follows:<\/p>\n Article 1 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each State Party undertakes never under any circumstances:<\/p>\n (a)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To use anti-personnel mines;<\/p>\n (b)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To develop, produce, otherwise acquire, stockpile, retain or transfer to anyone, directly or indirectly, anti-personnel mines;<\/p>\n (c)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To assist, encourage or induce, in any way, anyone to engage in any activity prohibited to a State Party under this Convention.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each State Party undertakes to destroy or ensure the destruction of all anti-personnel mines in accordance with the provisions of this Convention.<\/p>\n Article 2 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnti-personnel mine\u201d means a mine designed to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a person and that will incapacitate, injure or kill one or more persons. Mines designed to be detonated by the presence, proximity or contact of a vehicle as opposed to a person, that are equipped with anti-handling devices, are not considered anti-personnel mines as a result of being so equipped.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMine\u201d means a munition designed to be placed under, on or near the ground or other surface area and to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a person or a vehicle.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnti-handling device\u201d means a device intended to protect a mine and which is part of, linked to, attached to or placed under the mine and which activates when an attempt is made to tamper with or otherwise intentionally disturb the mine.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTransfer\u201d involves, in addition to the physical movement of anti-personnel mines into or from national territory, the transfer of title to and control over the mines, but does not involve the transfer of territory containing emplaced anti-personnel mines.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMined area\u201d means an area which is dangerous due to the presence or suspected presence of mines.<\/p>\n Article 3 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Notwithstanding the general obligations under Article\u00a01, the retention or transfer of a number of anti-personnel mines for the development of and training in mine detection, mine clearance, or mine destruction techniques is permitted. The amount of such mines shall not exceed the minimum number absolutely necessary for the above-mentioned purposes.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The transfer of anti-personnel mines for the purpose of destruction is permitted.<\/p>\n Article 4 Except as provided for in Article 3, each State Party undertakes to destroy or ensure the destruction of all stockpiled anti-personnel mines it owns or possesses, or that are under its jurisdiction or control, as soon as possible but not later than four years after the entry into force of this Convention for that State Party.<\/p>\n Article 5 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each State Party undertakes to destroy or ensure the destruction of all anti-personnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control, as soon as possible but not later than ten years after the entry into force of this Convention for that State Party.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each State Party shall make every effort to identify all areas under its jurisdiction or control in which anti-personnel mines are known or suspected to be emplaced and shall ensure as soon as possible that all anti-personnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control are perimeter-marked, monitored and protected by fencing or other means, to ensure the effective exclusion of civilians, until all anti-personnel mines contained therein have been destroyed. The marking shall at least be to the standards set out in the Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices, as amended on 3 May 1996, annexed to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If a State Party believes that it will be unable to destroy or ensure the destruction of all anti-personnel mines referred to in paragraph 1 within that time period, it may submit a request to a Meeting of the States Parties or a Review Conference for an extension of the deadline for completing the destruction of such anti-personnel mines, for a period of up to ten years.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each request shall contain:<\/p>\n (a)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The duration of the proposed extension;<\/p>\n (b)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A detailed explanation of the reasons for the proposed extension, including:<\/p>\n (i)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The preparation and status of work conducted under national demining programs;<\/p>\n (ii)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The financial and technical means available to the State Party for the destruction of all the anti-personnel mines; and<\/p>\n (iii)\u00a0\u00a0 Circumstances which impede the ability of the State Party to destroy all the anti-personnel mines in mined areas;<\/p>\n (c)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The humanitarian, social, economic, and environmental implications of the extension; and<\/p>\n (d)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Any other information relevant to the request for the proposed extension.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Meeting of the States Parties or the Review Conference shall, taking into consideration the factors contained in paragraph 4, assess the request and decide by a majority of votes of States Parties present and voting whether to grant the request for an extension period.<\/p>\n 6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Such an extension may be renewed upon the submission of a new request in accordance with paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of this Article. In requesting a further extension period a State Party shall submit relevant additional information on what has been undertaken in the previous extension period pursuant to this Article.<\/p>\n Article 6 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In fulfilling its obligations under this Convention each State Party has the right to seek and receive assistance, where feasible, from other States Parties to the extent possible.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each State Party undertakes to facilitate and shall have the right to participate in the fullest possible exchange of equipment, material and scientific and technological information concerning the implementation of this Convention. The States Parties shall not impose undue restrictions on the provision of mine clearance equipment and related technological information for humanitarian purposes.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each State Party in a position to do so shall provide assistance for the care and rehabilitation, and social and economic reintegration, of mine victims and for mine awareness programmes. Such assistance may be provided, inter alia, through the United Nations system, international, regional or national organizations or institutions, the International Committee of the Red Cross, national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies and their International Federation, non-governmental organizations, or on a bilateral basis.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each State Party in a position to do so shall provide assistance for mine clearance and related activities. Such assistance may be provided, inter alia, through the United Nations system, international or regional organizations or institutions, non-governmental organizations or institutions, or on a bilateral basis, or by contributing to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Clearance, or other regional funds that deal with demining.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each State Party in a position to do so shall provide assistance for the destruction of stockpiled anti-personnel mines.<\/p>\n 6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each State Party undertakes to provide information to the database on mine clearance established within the United Nations system, especially information concerning various means and technologies of mine clearance, and lists of experts, expert agencies or national points of contact on mine clearance.<\/p>\n 7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 States Parties may request the United Nations, regional organizations, other States Parties or other competent intergovernmental or non-governmental fora to assist its authorities in the elaboration of a national demining program to determine, inter alia:<\/p>\n (a)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The extent and scope of the anti-personnel mine problem;<\/p>\n (b)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The financial, technological and human resources that are required for the implementation of the programme;<\/p>\n (c)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The estimated number of years necessary to destroy all anti-personnel mines in mined areas under the jurisdiction or control of the concerned State Party;<\/p>\n (d)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mine awareness activities to reduce the incidence of mine-related injuries or deaths;<\/p>\n (e)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Assistance to mine victims;<\/p>\n (f)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The relationship between the Government of the concerned State Party and the relevant governmental, intergovernmental or non-governmental entities that will work in the implementation of the program.<\/p>\n 8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each State Party giving and receiving assistance under the provisions of this Article shall cooperate with a view to ensuring the full and prompt implementation of agreed assistance programs.<\/p>\n Article 7 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each State Party shall report to the Secretary-General of the United Nations as soon as practicable, and in any event not later than 180 days after the entry into force of this Convention for that State Party on:<\/p>\n (a)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The national implementation measures referred to in Article 9;<\/p>\n (b)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The total of all stockpiled anti-personnel mines owned or possessed by it, or under its jurisdiction or control, to include a breakdown of the type, quantity and, if possible, lot numbers of each type of anti-personnel mine stockpiled;<\/p>\n (c)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To the extent possible, the location of all mined areas that contain, or are suspected to contain, anti-personnel mines under its jurisdiction or control, to include as much detail as possible regarding the type and quantity of each type of anti-personnel mine in each mined area and when they were emplaced;<\/p>\n (d)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The types, quantities and, if possible, lot numbers of all anti-personnel mines retained or transferred for the development of and training in mine detection, mine clearance or mine destruction techniques, or transferred for the purpose of destruction, as well as the institutions authorized by a State Party to retain or transfer anti-personnel mines, in accordance with Article 3;<\/p>\n (e)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The status of programmes for the conversion or de-commissioning of anti-personnel mine production facilities;<\/p>\n (f)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The status of programmes for the destruction of anti-personnel mines in accordance with Articles 4 and 5, including details of the methods which will be used in destruction, the location of all destruction sites and the applicable safety and environmental standards to be observed;<\/p>\n (g)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The types and quantities of all anti-personnel mines destroyed after the entry into force of this Convention for that State Party, to include a breakdown of the quantity of each type of anti-personnel mine destroyed, in accordance with Articles 4 and 5, respectively, along with, if possible, the lot numbers of each type of anti-personnel mine in the case of destruction in accordance with Article 4;<\/p>\n (h)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The technical characteristics of each type of anti-personnel mine produced, to the extent known, and those currently owned or possessed by a State Party, giving, where reasonably possible, such categories of information as may facilitate identification and clearance of anti-personnel mines; at a minimum, this information shall include the dimensions, fusing, explosive content, metallic content, colour photographs and other information which may facilitate mine clearance; and<\/p>\n (i)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The measures taken to provide an immediate and effective warning to the population in relation to all areas identified under paragraph 2 of Article 5.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The information provided in accordance with this Article shall be updated by the States Parties annually, covering the last calendar year, and reported to the Secretary-General of the United Nations not later than 30 April of each year.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall transmit all such reports received to the States Parties.<\/p>\n Article 8 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The States Parties agree to consult and cooperate with each other regarding the implementation of the provisions of this Convention, and to work together in a spirit of cooperation to facilitate compliance by States Parties with their obligations under this Convention.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If one or more States Parties wish to clarify and seek to resolve questions relating to compliance with the provisions of this Convention by another State Party, it may submit, through the Secretary-General of the United Nations, a Request for Clarification of that matter to that State Party. Such a request shall be accompanied by all appropriate information. Each State Party shall refrain from unfounded Requests for Clarification, care being taken to avoid abuse. A State Party that receives a Request for Clarification shall provide, through the Secretary-General of the United Nations, within 28 days to the requesting State Party all information which would assist in clarifying this matter.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If the requesting State Party does not receive a response through the Secretary-General of the United Nations within that time period, or deems the response to the Request for Clarification to be unsatisfactory, it may submit the matter through the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the next Meeting of the States Parties. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall transmit the submission, accompanied by all appropriate information pertaining to the Request for Clarification, to all States Parties. All such information shall be presented to the requested State Party which shall have the right to respond.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pending the convening of any meeting of the States Parties, any of the States Parties concerned may request the Secretary-General of the United Nations to exercise his or her good offices to facilitate the clarification requested.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The requesting State Party may propose through the Secretary-General of the United Nations the convening of a Special Meeting of the States Parties to consider the matter. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall thereupon communicate this proposal and all information submitted by the States Parties concerned, to all States Parties with a request that they indicate whether they favour a Special Meeting of the States Parties, for the purpose of considering the matter. In the event that within 14 days from the date of such communication, at least one-third of the States Parties favours such a Special Meeting, the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall convene this Special Meeting of the States Parties within a further 14 days. A quorum for this Meeting shall consist of a majority of States Parties.<\/p>\n 6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Meeting of the States Parties or the Special Meeting of the States Parties, as the case may be, shall first determine whether to consider the matter further, taking into account all information submitted by the States Parties concerned. The Meeting of the States Parties or the Special Meeting of the States Parties shall make every effort to reach a decision by consensus. If despite all efforts to that end no agreement has been reached, it shall take this decision by a majority of States Parties present and voting.<\/p>\n 7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All States Parties shall cooperate fully with the Meeting of the States Parties or the Special Meeting of the States Parties in the fulfilment of its review of the matter, including any fact-finding missions that are authorized in accordance with paragraph 8.<\/p>\n 8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If further clarification is required, the Meeting of the States Parties or the Special Meeting of the States Parties shall authorize a fact-finding mission and decide on its mandate by a majority of States Parties present and voting. At any time the requested State Party may invite a fact-finding mission to its territory. Such a mission shall take place without a decision by a Meeting of the States Parties or a Special Meeting of the States Parties to authorize such a mission. The mission, consisting of up to 9 experts, designated and approved in accordance with paragraphs 9 and 10, may collect additional information on the spot or in other places directly related to the alleged compliance issue under the jurisdiction or control of the requested State Party.<\/p>\n 9.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall prepare and update a list of the names, nationalities and other relevant data of qualified experts provided by States Parties and communicate it to all States Parties. Any expert included on this list shall be regarded as designated for all fact-finding missions unless a State Party declares its non-acceptance in writing. In the event of non-acceptance, the expert shall not participate in fact-finding missions on the territory or any other place under the jurisdiction or control of the objecting State Party, if the non-acceptance was declared prior to the appointment of the expert to such missions.<\/p>\n 10.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Upon receiving a request from the Meeting of the States Parties or a Special Meeting of the States Parties, the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall, after consultations with the requested State Party, appoint the members of the mission, including its leader. Nationals of States Parties requesting the fact-finding mission or directly affected by it shall not be appointed to the mission. The members of the fact-finding mission shall enjoy privileges and immunities under Article VI of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, adopted on 13 February 1946.<\/p>\n 11.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Upon at least 72 hours notice, the members of the fact-finding mission shall arrive in the territory of the requested State Party at the earliest opportunity. The requested State Party shall take the necessary administrative measures to receive, transport and accommodate the mission, and shall be responsible for ensuring the security of the mission to the maximum extent possible while they are on territory under its control.<\/p>\n 12.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Without prejudice to the sovereignty of the requested State Party, the fact-finding mission may bring into the territory of the requested State Party the necessary equipment which shall be used exclusively for gathering information on the alleged compliance issue. Prior to its arrival, the mission will advise the requested State Party of the equipment that it intends to utilize in the course of its fact-finding mission.<\/p>\n 13.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The requested State Party shall make all efforts to ensure that the fact-finding mission is given the opportunity to speak with all relevant persons who may be able to provide information related to the alleged compliance issue.<\/p>\n 14.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The requested State Party shall grant access for the fact-finding mission to all areas and installations under its control where facts relevant to the compliance issue could be expected to be collected. This shall be subject to any arrangements that the requested State Party considers necessary for:<\/p>\n (a)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The protection of sensitive equipment, information and areas;<\/p>\n (b)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The protection of any constitutional obligations the requested State Party may have with regard to proprietary rights, searches and seizures, or other constitutional rights; or<\/p>\n (c)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The physical protection and safety of the members of the fact-finding mission.<\/p>\n In the event that the requested State Party makes such arrangements, it shall make every reasonable effort to demonstrate through alternative means its compliance with this Convention.<\/p>\n 15.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The fact-finding mission may remain in the territory of the State Party concerned for no more than 14 days, and at any particular site no more than 7 days, unless otherwise agreed.<\/p>\n 16.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All information provided in confidence and not related to the subject matter of the fact-finding mission shall be treated on a confidential basis.<\/p>\n 17.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The fact-finding mission shall report, through the Secretary-General of the United Nations, to the Meeting of the States Parties or the Special Meeting of the States Parties the results of its findings.<\/p>\n 18.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Meeting of the States Parties or the Special Meeting of the States Parties shall consider all relevant information, including the report submitted by the fact-finding mission, and may request the requested State Party to take measures to address the compliance issue within a specified period of time. The requested State Party shall report on all measures taken in response to this request.<\/p>\n 19.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Meeting of the States Parties or the Special Meeting of the States Parties may suggest to the States Parties concerned ways and means to further clarify or resolve the matter under consideration, including the initiation of appropriate procedures in conformity with international law. In circumstances where the issue at hand is determined to be due to circumstances beyond the control of the requested State Party, the Meeting of the States Parties or the Special Meeting of the States Parties may recommend appropriate measures, including the use of cooperative measures referred to in Article 6.<\/p>\n 20.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Meeting of the States Parties or the Special Meeting of the States Parties shall make every effort to reach its decisions referred to in paragraphs 18 and 19 by consensus, otherwise by a two-thirds majority of States Parties present and voting.<\/p>\n Article 9 Each State Party shall take all appropriate legal, administrative and other measures, including the imposition of penal sanctions, to prevent and suppress any activity prohibited to a State Party under this Convention undertaken by persons or on territory under its jurisdiction or control.<\/p>\n Article 10 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The States Parties shall consult and cooperate with each other to settle any dispute that may arise with regard to the application or the interpretation of this Convention. Each State Party may bring any such dispute before the Meeting of the States Parties.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Meeting of the States Parties may contribute to the settlement of the dispute by whatever means it deems appropriate, including offering its good offices, calling upon the States parties to a dispute to start the settlement procedure of their choice and recommending a time-limit for any agreed procedure.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This Article is without prejudice to the provisions of this Convention on facilitation and clarification of compliance.<\/p>\n Article 11 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The States Parties shall meet regularly in order to consider any matter with regard to the application or implementation of this Convention, including:<\/p>\n (a)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The operation and status of this Convention;<\/p>\n (b)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Matters arising from the reports submitted under the provisions of this Convention;<\/p>\n (c)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 International cooperation and assistance in accordance with Article 6;<\/p>\n (d)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The development of technologies to clear anti-personnel mines;<\/p>\n (e)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Submissions of States Parties under Article 8; and<\/p>\n (f)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Decisions relating to submissions of States Parties as provided for in Article 5.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The First Meeting of the States Parties shall be convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations within one year after the entry into force of this Convention. The subsequent meetings shall be convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations annually until the first Review Conference.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Under the conditions set out in Article 8, the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall convene a Special Meeting of the States Parties.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 States not parties to this Convention, as well as the United Nations, other relevant international organizations or institutions, regional organizations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and relevant non-governmental organizations may be invited to attend these meetings as observers in accordance with the agreed Rules of Procedure.<\/p>\n Article 12 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A Review Conference shall be convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations five years after the entry into force of this Convention. Further Review Conferences shall be convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations if so requested by one or more States Parties, provided that the interval between Review Conferences shall in no case be less than five years. All States Parties to this Convention shall be invited to each Review Conference.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The purpose of the Review Conference shall be:<\/p>\n (a)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To review the operation and status of this Convention;<\/p>\n (b)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To consider the need for and the interval between further Meetings of the States Parties referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 11;<\/p>\n (c)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To take decisions on submissions of States Parties as provided for in Article 5; and<\/p>\n (d)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To adopt, if necessary, in its final report conclusions related to the implementation of this Convention.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 States not parties to this Convention, as well as the United Nations, other relevant international organizations or institutions, regional organizations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and relevant non-governmental organizations may be invited to attend each Review Conference as observers in accordance with the agreed Rules of Procedure.<\/p>\n Article 13 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At any time after the entry into force of this Convention any State Party may propose amendments to this Convention. Any proposal for an amendment shall be communicated to the Depositary, who shall circulate it to all States Parties and shall seek their views on whether an Amendment Conference should be convened to consider the proposal. If a majority of the States Parties notify the Depositary no later than 30 days after its circulation that they support further consideration of the proposal, the Depositary shall convene an Amendment Conference to which all States Parties shall be invited.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 States not parties to this Convention, as well as the United Nations, other relevant international organizations or institutions, regional organizations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and relevant non-governmental organizations may be invited to attend each Amendment Conference as observers in accordance with the agreed Rules of Procedure.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Amendment Conference shall be held immediately following a Meeting of the States Parties or a Review Conference unless a majority of the States Parties request that it be held earlier.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Any amendment to this Convention shall be adopted by a majority of two-thirds of the States Parties present and voting at the Amendment Conference. The Depositary shall communicate any amendment so adopted to the States Parties.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 An amendment to this Convention shall enter into force for all States Parties to this Convention which have accepted it, upon the deposit with the Depositary of instruments of acceptance by a majority of States Parties. Thereafter it shall enter into force for any remaining State Party on the date of deposit of its instrument of acceptance.<\/p>\n Article 14 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The costs of the Meetings of the States Parties, the Special Meetings of the States Parties, the Review Conferences and the Amendment Conferences shall be borne by the States Parties and States not parties to this Convention participating therein, in accordance with the United Nations scale of assessment adjusted appropriately.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The costs incurred by the Secretary-General of the United Nations under Articles 7 and 8 and the costs of any fact-finding mission shall be borne by the States Parties in accordance with the United Nations scale of assessment adjusted appropriately.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Article 15 This Convention, done at Oslo, Norway, on 18 September 1997, shall be open for signature at Ottawa, Canada, by all States from 3 December 1997 until 4 December 1997, and at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 5 December 1997 until its entry into force.<\/p>\n Article 16 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This Convention is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval of the Signatories.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It shall be open for accession by any State which has not signed the Convention.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall be deposited with the Depositary.<\/p>\n Article 17 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the sixth month after the month in which the 40th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession has been deposited.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For any State which deposits its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession after the date of the deposit of the 40th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, this Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the sixth month after the date on which that State has deposited its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.<\/p>\n Article 18 Any State may at the time of its ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, declare that it will apply provisionally paragraph 1 of Article 1 of this Convention pending its entry into force.<\/p>\n Article 19 The Articles of this Convention shall not be subject to reservations.<\/p>\n Article 20 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This Convention shall be of unlimited duration.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each State Party shall, in exercising its national sovereignty, have the right to withdraw from this Convention. It shall give notice of such withdrawal to all other States Parties, to the Depositary and to the United Nations Security Council. Such instrument of withdrawal shall include a full explanation of the reasons motivating this withdrawal.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Such withdrawal shall only take effect six months after the receipt of the instrument of withdrawal by the Depositary. If, however, on the expiry of that six- month period, the withdrawing State Party is engaged in an armed conflict, the withdrawal shall not take effect before the end of the armed conflict.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The withdrawal of a State Party from this Convention shall not in any way affect the duty of States to continue fulfilling the obligations assumed under any relevant rules of international law.<\/p>\n Article 21 The Secretary-General of the United Nations is hereby designated as the Depositary of this Convention.<\/p>\n Article 22 The original of this Convention, of which the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" History The Convention was concluded by the Diplomatic Conference on an International Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Land Mines at Oslo on 18 September 1997. In accordance with its article 15, the Convention was opened for signature at Ottawa, Canada, by all States from 3 December 1997 until 4 December 1997, and remained open thereafter at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7105,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[164],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-reference-documents-en"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n
\nDate of adoption:<\/b>\u00a018 September 1997
\nDepositary:<\/b>\u00a0Secretary-General of the United NationsSigned at:<\/b>\u00a0Ottawa
\nOpened for signature:<\/b>\u00a03 December 1997
\nEntered into force:<\/b>\u00a01 March 1999Signatories:<\/b>\u00a0133
\nParties:<\/b>\u00a0162<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nGeneral Obligations<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nDefinitions<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nExceptions<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nDestruction of Stockpiled Anti-Personnel Mines<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nDestruction of Anti-Personnel Mines in Mined Areas<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nInternational Cooperation and Assistance<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nTransparency Measures<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nFacilitation and Clarification of Compliance<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nNational Implementation Measures<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nSettlement of Disputes<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nMeetings of the States Parties<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nReview Conferences<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nAmendments<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nCosts<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nSignature<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nRatification, Acceptance, Approval or Accession<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nEntry into Force<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nProvisional Application<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nReservations<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nDuration and Withdrawal<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nDepositary<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nAuthentic Texts<\/strong><\/p>\n