News - Details
« ReturnPRESS RELEASE March 1st, 2005
| Date | 01-Mar-2005 |
| Summary | ORDINARY PEOPLE, EXTRAORDINARY IMPACT: CANADIANS’ SUPPORT CRITICAL IN ACHIEVING A MINE-FREE WORLD |
| Details | Ottawa: Today, in major cities across Canada, hundreds of youth marched in processions to demonstrate their support for a world free from landmines today to mark the 6th anniversary of when the Ottawa Convention banning landmines became international law. As a part of Canadian Landmine Awareness Week (February 28-March 5), the youth marched with ‘shoe puppets’ symbolizing the shoes no longer needed by those who have lost their limbs or lives to landmines. In Ottawa this afternoon, bells rang out from the Parliament’s Peace Tower as local university and high school students marched to the Human Rights Monument to receive a mayoral proclamation presented by Ottawa Mayor Bob Chiarelli. Canadian military personnel were also on hand to stage a mock demining demonstration. “March 1st marks the sixth anniversary of when the Ottawa Convention entered into force. Canada, its government and its citizens, were at the forefront of this movement which is why we celebrate this anniversary across the country each year,” said Paul Hannon, Executive Director of Mines Action Canada. “This year’s celebrations will highlight the extraordinary contributions of Canadians to mine action in advocacy and fundraising.” “Youth in particular play an important role in achieving a mine-free world,” stated Julia Turvey, Ottawa’s Youth Mine Action Ambassador. “As the next generation to grapple with the landmines crisis, the involvement of young people is critical in implementing the next stage of the Ottawa Convention and resolving the landmine problem in our lifetime. Young people across Canada care tremendously about the landmines issue and are actively working toward a world free from landmines. This can be demonstrated by the over 50 special events organized by youth that are taking place across Canada in celebration of Canadian Landmine Awareness Week.” To profile the leading role of youth in the mine-ban movement, several Canadian and international youth anti-mine activists are traveling across the country to share with Canadians how critical Canadian involvement in the landmine movement continues to be. One international youth guest was a delegate to the Canadian-funded, first-ever International Youth Symposium held in conjunction with the Nairobi Summit for a Mine-Free World (November 2004). Throughout the week, tens of thousands of Canadians are wearing butterfly ribbons to demonstrate their continued support for Canadian efforts in achieving a mine-free world. Created by Canadian youth, the butterfly is MAC’s national symbol for the Canadian campaign against landmines. “In MAC’s logo, a butterfly landmine is transformed –through a series of slow, progressive changes- into a butterfly, symbolizing a world free from landmines,” explained Eva Morrison, Education and Outreach Officer at Mines Action Canada. In the six years since the Ottawa Convention became International Humanitarian Law, it has had tremendous impacts on those living in mine-affected countries including a significant drop in victim rates. Over 75% of the world's nations having joined the Ottawa Convention banning the production, stockpiling, trade, and use of antipersonnel mines, but much more is needed to finish the job. The Landmine Monitor reports that antipersonnel mines continue to be used, albeit at lower rates and scale than in previous decades, and there are approximately 15,000 to 20,000 new casualties each year –the majority of whom are civilians. “The one distinguishing feature of the Ottawa Convention and the mine ban movement is that the landmines issue is solvable,” continued Hannon. “There is no reason with continued political and financial commitment and sustained cooperation between governments and civil society that we cannot achieve a mine-free world within our lifetime.” -30- For more information on youth anti-mine activists touring the country, the butterfly ribbon campaign or Canadian Landmine Awareness Week events across the country, please click here. For media inquiries, please contact: Lynn Dickson, Special Event Logistics Officer Tel: (613) 241 3777/ Cell: (613) 255 0418/ Email: lynn@minesactioncanada.org Mines Action Canada (MAC) is a coalition of over 40 Canadian non-governmental organizations working in mine action, peace, development, labour, health and human rights that came together in 1994. It is the Canadian partner of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), the 1997 co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. The coalition’s primary concerns are the human and socio-economic impacts of landmines and other weapons with similar effects. The coalition is also committed to ensuring that the needs and aspirations of people physically, socially, and economically affected by mines are met. Canadian Landmine Awareness Week is jointly organized by Mines Action Canada and the Youth Mine Action Ambassador Program (YMAAP). The Nairobi Summit for a Mine-free World, the first Review Conference of the Ottawa Convention, will take place from November 29-Dec. 3rd, 2004. |
