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Created by and for survivors, LSN empowers individuals and communities affected by landmines to recover from trauma, reclaim their lives and fulfill their rights.
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World Landmine News
India and Pakistan Found Planting Mines Along Shared Border
The clash between India and Pakistan has intensified over the last few weeks as both the Indian and Pakistan government have been planting landmines along their 1800-mile border with one another. Neither nation has signed the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, although in the past, both governments have supported the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty’s ultimate goal of a universal ban on landmines.
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines has written two open letters to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee of India and Chief Executive Gen. Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan calling on them to refrain from using antipersonal landmines. Following is a full text version of the ICBL letters.
Dear Prime Minister Vajpayee:
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) is gravely disturbed that Indian troops are laying new antipersonnel landmines along the border with Pakistan. On 4 January, the New York Times reported from Mulla Kot, India, that over the past two weeks Indian soldiers have sown thousands of acres of farmland with antipersonnel and antitank mines. It stated that various accounts from border regions \"indicate that India is in the process of laying mines along virtually the entire length of its 1,800-mile border with Pakistan.\"
The ICBL believes that any use of antipersonnel mines is a violation of customary international humanitarian law, because antipersonnel mines are inherently indiscriminate and because their limited military utility is far outweighed by their negative humanitarian consequences. The dominant view of the international community that antipersonnel mines should be considered illegal is reflected in the fact that 122 nations have ratified, and another 20 have signed, the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty that comprehensively prohibits any use, production, trade or stockpiling of the weapon.
It is most regrettable that India is not among these nations. It is noteworthy, however, that India has since 1995 supported \"the objective\" of a universal ban on antipersonnel mines. In a January 2001 letter to the ICBL, your government stated, \"India is fully committed to the eventual elimination of antipersonnel landmines.\" Yet, the factors and reasons that justify a ban on antipersonnel mines in the future are just as valid today.
The antipersonnel mines that are being laid today by Indian troops are likely to take the lives and limbs of numerous Indian civilians in the coming years. Indeed, the media has already reported civilian casualties a bicyclist was killed on New Year\'s Day in the Bikaner district, and a child was injured in the same region last week. In addition to the casualties, large tracts of agricultural land are now being denied Indian farmers. Clearance will no doubt be a long, costly and dangerous process.
In a 1996 study carried out by the International Committee of the Red Cross, military experts concluded that in the three previous India-Pakistan wars, the \"contribution of these minefields to the ultimate outcome of the conflict was considered to be marginal.\" Elimination of antipersonnel mines can also have diplomatic benefits, and contribute to regional security and stability. For example, in 2001, Greece and Turkey announced their plans to join the Mine Ban Treaty simultaneously as a confidence building measure.
We therefore call on India to refrain from laying new antipersonnel landmines and to declare this publicly. In taking such a bold step, you will avoid putting civilians and combatants at further risk and will help to build confidence in the region, laying the groundwork for peace. We are also calling on Pakistan to refrain from using antipersonnel mines. We are also urging States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty, including Bangladesh and the Maldives from the region, to oppose any use of antipersonnel landmines by India or Pakistan.
Sincerely,
Ms. Elizabeth Bernstein
ICBL Coordinator
Dear Chief Executive Gen. Musharraf:
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) is disturbed by unconfirmed reports we have received that Pakistani troops are laying new antipersonnel landmines along the border with India. We ask that you clarify whether or not new mine laying is taking place.
The ICBL believes that any use of antipersonnel mines is a violation of customary international humanitarian law, because antipersonnel mines are inherently indiscriminate and because their limited military utility is far outweighed by their negative humanitarian consequences. The dominant view of the international community that antipersonnel mines should be considered illegal is reflected in the fact that 122 nations have ratified, and another 20 have signed, the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty that comprehensively prohibits any use, production, trade or stockpiling of the weapon.
It is most regrettable that Pakistan is not among these nations. It is noteworthy, however, that Pakistan has since 1996 supported the ultimate eradication of antipersonnel mines. In a January 2001 letter to the ICBL, your government stated, \"We fully subscribe to the goal of the eventual elimination of landmines and once again hope to insure you that our actions do not stand against the objectives\" of the Mine Ban Treaty. Yet, the factors and reasons that justify a ban on antipersonnel mines in the future are just as valid today. If antipersonnel mines are being laid today by Pakistani troops, they are likely to take the lives and limbs of numerous Pakistani civilians in the coming years. Clearance would likely be a long, costly and dangerous process.
Many military experts have commented on the marginal military utility of mines in modern warfare. On the other hand, in addition to humanitarian concerns, elimination of antipersonnel mines can also have diplomatic benefits, and contribute to regional security and stability. For example, in 2001, Greece and Turkey announced their plans to join the Mine Ban Treaty simultaneously as a confidence building measure.
We therefore call on Pakistan to refrain from laying new antipersonnel landmines and to declare this publicly. In taking such a bold step, you will avoid putting civilians and combatants at further risk and will help to build confidence in the region, laying the groundwork for
peace. We are also calling on India to desist from using antipersonnel mines. We are also urging States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty, including Bangladesh and the Maldives from the region, to oppose any use of antipersonnel landmines by Pakistan or India.
Sincerely,
Ms. Elizabeth Bernstein
ICBL Coordinator
Posted: Monday, January 7, 2002
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