International Campaign to Ban Landmines
Speed read
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, jointly with Jody Williams, for their efforts to ban and remove anti-personnel landmines.
Full name: International Campaign to Ban Landmines
Native name: International Campaign to Ban Landmines
Founded: 1992, USA
Date awarded: 10 October 1997
Turning point for a landmine-free world
There are currently 100 million anti-personnel mines buried in 60 countries for the purpose of maiming or killing soldiers at war. Many will be detonated by civilians instead. Each year, 25,000 people lose limbs in landmine explosions; many lose their lives as well. The ICBL was founded in 1991 with the aim of achieving a ban on landmines and persuading governments around the world to finance demining activities. The founding coordinator was Jody Williams (USA), who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with the organisation. By 1997, more than 1,000 organisations from 60 countries had joined the ICBL. That same year, representatives from 120 countries signed the Ottawa Convention banning landmines. Small and medium-sized nations, with good help from the ICBL, ratified the treaty, while the major powers refused to sign it.
"Freedom is often the justification for war. But where is the sense in fighting for the freedom of a people employing a weapon which will deny those same people, in peacetime, freedom to live without fear, freedom to farm their land, freedom merely to walk in safety from place to place – deny them the freedom to let their children play without being torn apart by a landmine? That is no freedom."
Rae McGrath, Nobel Prize lecture on behalf of the ICBL, 10 December 1997.
"There are present probably over one hundred million anti-personnel mines scattered over large areas on several continents. Such mines maim and kill indiscriminately and are a major threat to the civilian populations and to the social and economic development of the many countries affected."
The Norwegian Nobel Committee, Announcement, 1997
Facts about landmines
There are two main types of landmines: anti-tank mines and anti-personnel mines. The former are designed to disable tanks and other vehicles, and they only detonate under substantial pressure. The latter detonate at the lightest touch; although they are designed to disable soldiers, in the long term it is civilians who suffer the most. The ICBL has focused its main efforts on banning anti-personnel mines. More and more countries and organisations are donating funds, and many are training both civilian and military demining experts.
The Ottawa Convention
The ICBL has succeeded in putting the landmine issue on the global agenda. In 1996, representatives from 50 national governments and observers from an additional 24 nations met in Ottawa, Canada. The assembly passed a plan of action, and Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy held an emotional closing speech challenging the world’s governments to meet in one year to sign a treaty banning landmines. Axworthy’s challenge was partially met. In December 1997, 120 countries signed a treaty banning the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines. However, none of the major powers signed the treaty.
"The more expeditiously we can end this plague on earth caused by the landmine, the more readily can we set about the constructive tasks to which so many give their hand in the cause of humanity."
Diana, Princess of Wales, 12 June 1997.
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In the course of 1991, several nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals began simultaneously to discuss the necessity of coordinating initiatives and calls for a ban on antipersonnel landmines ...
Nobel Prizes and laureates
Six prizes were awarded for achievements that have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind. The 12 laureates' work and discoveries range from proteins' structures and machine learning to fighting for a world free of nuclear weapons.
See them all presented here.
