RINGING IN THE LANDMINE BAN TREATY

On March 1, 1999, bells will ring around the world to celebrate the historic day that landmines are outlawed- and to mourn the past, present and future victims. The Ban Mine TREATY becomes International Law on March 1 six months after the 40th country ratified.

Celebrate the Treaty : Ringing the first peal will signal our rejoicing in the historic achievement of a total ban on landmines. The Ban will legally oblige countries to stop the use, manufacture and trade of landmines as well as destroy their stockpiles, and clear landmines from the ground.

Remember the People Affected with the second peal. Asked by journalist, what difference had the Nobel Prize and Ottawa Treaty made to his life Tun Channareth said the Nobel Prize is like a bell ringing in the ears of governments calling their attention to the plight of the victims.

The Cambodia Campaign calls all to celebrate.

* by helping the victims or mine affected communities,
* by giving a donation to demining.
The Cambodian government has yet to ratify the treaty which they signed in Ottawa in December 1997. Sixty-four countries have ratified of the 133 countries that signed. The USA, Chile, Russia, India, Pakistan and China still face condemnation from victims all over the world for not signing.

We mourn the Fifty-four Cambodians injured by mines in January 1999. However this is a huge reduction from the January figures of 1996 (308 victims) 1997 (209 victims ) 1998 (201 victims).

1 March 1999

More info contact CCBL: 855 23 880 139 / 455 ; Fax: 855 23 880 140 and 000 E-mail: jrscam@forum.org.kh or camban@online.com.kh