Ottawa Treaty

Definition

The Ottawa Treaty, also known as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, is an international agreement that prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. It was adopted in 1997 and has been signed by over 160 countries, making it one of the most widely ratified treaties in the world.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Ottawa Treaty was the result of a campaign led by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), a coalition of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
2. The treaty was signed in 1997 and entered into force in 1999, making it one of the fastest multilateral treaties to become international law.
3. The treaty has been praised for its comprehensive approach, which includes provisions for victim assistance, mine clearance, and international cooperation.
4. The Ottawa Treaty has been a significant success, with over 160 countries having ratified it and the number of new landmine casualties declining significantly since its adoption.
5. The treaty has also been criticized by some countries, such as the United States, which have not signed it due to concerns about national security and military operations.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the development and adoption of the Ottawa Treaty.
  • The Ottawa Treaty was the result of a successful campaign led by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), a coalition of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). These NGOs played a crucial role in raising awareness about the devastating impact of anti-personnel mines, mobilizing public support, and putting pressure on governments to negotiate and sign the treaty. The active involvement of civil society organizations was instrumental in the treaty's rapid adoption and widespread ratification, demonstrating the power of NGOs as influential non-state actors in shaping international policy.
• Analyze the key provisions and objectives of the Ottawa Treaty in the context of addressing the humanitarian crisis caused by anti-personnel mines.
  • The Ottawa Treaty aims to eliminate the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines, which have caused significant harm to civilian populations, particularly in post-conflict regions. The treaty's comprehensive approach includes provisions for victim assistance, mine clearance, and international cooperation. By banning these indiscriminate weapons and requiring the destruction of existing stockpiles, the treaty seeks to address the humanitarian crisis caused by landmines, which have killed or injured thousands of people, often civilians and children. The treaty's success in gaining widespread international support and reducing the number of new landmine casualties demonstrates its effectiveness in addressing this global issue.
• Evaluate the impact of the Ottawa Treaty on international norms and the role of NGOs in shaping global governance on issues related to human security.
  • The Ottawa Treaty has had a significant impact on international norms and the role of NGOs in global governance. By successfully campaigning for and negotiating a comprehensive treaty to ban anti-personnel mines, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and other NGOs have demonstrated their ability to influence international policy-making on issues related to human security. The treaty's widespread adoption and the decline in landmine casualties since its implementation have established new international norms and standards regarding the use of indiscriminate weapons. This success has also empowered NGOs to play a more prominent role in shaping global governance, particularly on humanitarian and human rights issues, where their expertise and advocacy can contribute to the development of effective and ethical international policies and agreements.

Related terms

Anti-Personnel Mines: Explosive devices designed to be detonated by the presence, proximity, or contact of a person, which can cause injury, death, or damage.

Landmine Ban Treaty: Another term used to refer to the Ottawa Treaty, which aims to eliminate the use of landmines worldwide.

Mine Action: The activities that address the problems caused by landmines and unexploded ordnance, including clearance, victim assistance, mine risk education, and advocacy.