Background	Even though Protocol II of the CCW deals with landmines (amended in 1996), it did not ban the “production” and “stockpiling” of landmines, and only placed tighter controls on their “use” and “transfer”. Thus, it could not be considered a comprehensive ban. Given that this partial prohibition did not essentially resolve the problem of landmines, a process was commenced for the creation of a treaty banning anti-personnel landmines via cooperation between NGOs and like-minded countries. The Treaty was produced through what became known as the “Ottawa Process”, which originated out of an international meeting convened by the Canadian government in October 1996.
Establishment	It was adopted on the 18th of September 1997and opened for signature on the 3rd of December 1997. It entered into force on the 30th of September 1999. Japan signed the Ottawa Treaty on the 3rd of December 1997 and it was ratified on the 30th of September 1998.
State Parties	162 countries are states parties to the Treaty and 133 signatories (March 2016)
Content	The Ottawa Treaty completely bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. It also obligates states parties to destroy all stockpiles of landmines within four years and to clear all mined-areas within ten years of theTreaty ratification. Provisions are also stipulated to international cooperation and assistance for clearance and victim assistance.
Current State of Play	Chile, the current Presidency of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convetino or Ottawa Convention, is marking seventeen years of treaty successes, and calling on all parties to redouble their efforts in one "Last Stretch" to meet the Convention's humanitarian goals to the fullest extent possible by 2025. The Convention’s intersessional meetings will take place on 19 and 20 May 2016 at the premises of the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. The 28 November- 2 December the 15th Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty will take place in Santiago, Chile.

Background

Even though Protocol II of the CCW deals with landmines (amended in 1996), it did not ban the “production” and “stockpiling” of landmines, and only placed tighter controls on their “use” and “transfer”. Thus, it could not be considered a comprehensive ban. Given that this partial prohibition did not essentially resolve the problem of landmines, a process was commenced for the creation of a treaty banning anti-personnel landmines via cooperation between NGOs and like-minded countries. The Treaty was produced through what became known as the “Ottawa Process”, which originated out of an international meeting convened by the Canadian government in October 1996.

Establishment

It was adopted on the 18th of September 1997and opened for signature on the 3rd of December 1997. It entered into force on the 30th of September 1999. Japan signed the Ottawa Treaty on the 3rd of December 1997 and it was ratified on the 30th of September 1998.

State Parties

162 countries are states parties to the Treaty and 133 signatories (March 2016)

Content

The Ottawa Treaty completely bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. It also obligates states parties to destroy all stockpiles of landmines within four years and to clear all mined-areas within ten years of theTreaty ratification. Provisions are also stipulated to international cooperation and assistance for clearance and victim assistance.

Current State of Play

Chile, the current Presidency of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convetino or Ottawa Convention, is marking seventeen years of treaty successes, and calling on all parties to redouble their efforts in one "Last Stretch" to meet the Convention's humanitarian goals to the fullest extent possible by 2025.

The Convention’s intersessional meetings will take place on 19 and 20 May 2016 at the premises of the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. The 28 November- 2 December the 15th Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty will take place in Santiago, Chile.

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Treaty Text

MOFA Web Page on the Anti-Personnel Landmines

Delegation’s Statements

162 countries are states parties to the Treaty and 133 signatories (March 2016)