Banning Anti-Personnel Mines - The Ottawa Treaty Explained (International Committee of the Red Cross , 1998, 24 p.): 2. The Ottawa treaty: 2.2 The elements of a comprehensive ban treaty: 2.2.3 A prohibition on stockpiling

Banning Anti-Personnel Mines - The Ottawa Treaty Explained (International Committee of the Red Cross , 1998, 24 p.)

(introduction...)

Introduction

1. The landmine problem and progress towards a ban treaty

1.1 The need for a ban treaty

1.2 The existing law

1.3 The Ottawa process

2. The Ottawa treaty

(introduction...)

2.1 What is an anti-personnel mine?

2.2 The elements of a comprehensive ban treaty

(introduction...)

2.2.1 An end to use

2.2.2 A prohibition on development and production

2.2.3 A prohibition on stockpiling

2.2.4 A prohibition on transfer

2.2.5 Other prohibited activities

2.3 Addressing the problem: mine clearance and assistance to victims

(introduction...)

2.3.1 Clearing mined areas

2.3.2 Assisting the victims

2.4 Entry into force

2.5 Ensuring compliance with the treaty

(introduction...)

2.5.1 Reporting on implementation

2.5.2 Settling disputes

2.5.3 Resolving doubts about compliance

2.5.4 National efforts to prevent violations

2.5.5 Reviewing implementation of the treaty

2.5.6 Strengthening and updating the treaty

2.6 Reservations

2.7 Withdrawal

3. Beyond the Ottawa treaty

Annex I: Glossary of legal and technical terms

Annex II: Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction

Annex III: List of Signatories as at 1 March 1999*

2.2.3 A prohibition on stockpiling

In addition to prohibiting the development, production and use of anti-personnel mines, the Ottawa treaty precludes a country from stockpiling them (see Art. 1, para. 1 (b)). A country is not allowed to purchase, procure, or otherwise obtain the devices.

Furthermore, any existing stocks must be destroyed within four years of the date on which the treaty enters into force for a given country (see Art. 4). States requiring assistance in order to ensure the destruction of anti-personnel mines within the specified time period may apply to other States Parties to the treaty for such assistance (see Art. 6).

However, a country is permitted to retain or transfer a limited quantity of mines for training in mine-detection, mine-clearance, and mine-destruction techniques. The number of mines kept shall not exceed the minimum number absolutely necessary for such purposes (see Art. 3, para. 1). At the time of the adoption of the treaty in Oslo, a number of governments declared they would retain no more than a few thousand mines.