GROUP OF EXPERTS ON CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS PACT CONCLUDES FIFTH SESSION

GROUP OF EXPERTS ON CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS PACT CONCLUDES FIFTH SESSION

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 27 June (UN Information Service) -- The Group of Governmental Experts on explosive remnants of war and mines other than anti-personnel mines, set up by the Second Review Conference of States Parties 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 (CCW) concluded Friday its fifth two-week session.  The session was chaired by Ambassador Rakesh Sood of India and held at the Palais des Nations.

In December 2002, the States Parties to the Convention agreed on new mandates developed by the Group’s respective Coordinators -- Ambassador Chris Sanders of the Netherlands as Coordinator for explosive remnants of war, and Minister Counsellor Peter Kolarov of Bulgaria as Coordinator for mines other than anti-personnel mines.  On the issue of explosive remnants of war, the mandate provides, in one part, for negotiation of post-conflict remedial measures, and, in another part, for further exploration of preventive measures.

The Group held two plenary meetings and several working sessions in which nine working papers were discussed, mainly focusing on the consideration of a draft proposal for an international instrument on explosive remnants of war and on core questions on the issue of mines other than anti-personnel mines.  A meeting was devoted to discussing the issue of compliance with the Convention and its four protocols.  Throughout the deliberations, the Group continued to underscore the importance of striking a balance between the humanitarian problems caused by the irresponsible use of certain munitions, and the legitimate military requirements of States for enhancing national security.

Furthermore, during the course of the session a demonstration on mine detectability took place inside the grounds of the Palais des Nations.  The demonstration was co-organized by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the Swiss Army.

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, also known as the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) or the Inhumane Weapons Convention, was concluded on 10 October 1980, and entered into force on 2 December 1983.  The Convention includes four protocols which ban or restrict the use of various types of weapons that are considered to cause unnecessary or unjustifiable suffering or to have other humanitarian consequences.  The weapons currently covered include landmines and booby-traps, incendiary weapons, weapons leaving undetectable fragments in the body, and blinding laser weapons.  Currently, 90 States are party to the Convention.  The Group's sixth session will be held in Geneva from 17 to 24 November.

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