STATES PARTIES TO LANDMINES PROTOCOL TO CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS CONVENTION TO HOLD FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE, GENEVA, 15 TO 17 DECEMBER
Press Release
DC/2674
STATES PARTIES TO LANDMINES PROTOCOL TO CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS CONVENTION TO HOLD FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE, GENEVA, 15 TO 17 DECEMBER
19991207(Reissued as received)
GENEVA, 7 December (UN Information Service) -- The States parties to the Amended Protocol II to the 1980 Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) will hold their first annual conference, as instituted by the Amended Protocol, from 15 to 7 December at Geneva.
The conference will provide an opportunity for consultations and cooperation among States parties on all issues relating to the Protocol, including a review of its operation and status. Another important role of the conference is to consider matters arising from the reports that States Parties are required to provide annually on, among other things, national steps taken to meet the technical requirements of the Protocol, measures taken on technical cooperation and assistance, and information on mine clearance and rehabilitation programmes.
The Amended Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices was adopted at a review conference on the Convention and its Protocols, which concluded in May 1996. The Amended Protocol, which, among other things, bans the use and transfer of certain types of anti-personnel landmines, represents a significant development in the field of international law applicable to armed conflicts. It entered into force in December 1998 and currently has 37 States parties. Over the past six months, a further seven States have notified the Depositary of their consent to be bound by the provisions of the Protocol.
General Assembly Resolution 54/58, adopted without a vote on 1 December, welcomed the entry into force on 3 December 1998 of the Amended Protocol and called, in particular, upon all States Parties to the CCW that have not yet done so to express their consent to be bound by the Protocol. It also noted the convening, from 15 to 17 December, of the first annual conference, in accordance with Article 13 of Amended Protocol II, and welcomed in this context the successful preparatory meeting held by States parties on 25-26 May at Geneva.
* *** *