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Communication First Regional Workshop Geneva, 18 December 2007 – For the first time, representatives of civil society organizations and media agencies from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, including Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh and South Ossetia, gathered in a workshop in Kiev, 26-27 November 2007. Despite political difficulties and sensitivities in respect of the different conflicts in the region, civil society representatives and journalists from all over the South Caucasus met to explore their common humanitarian concerns in order to solve the problem for civilians created by landmines and to avoid future landmine victims. The civil society delegates were joined by members of international NGOs and intergovernmental organizations as well as representatives of the European Commission, Germany, Switzerland, Lithuania, and the United Kingdom. Also, representatives of the de facto authorities in Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh and South Ossetia attended the meeting as observers and presented papers giving their respective positions on the landmine issue. Despite sustained efforts by the organizers of the workshop, the governments of the concerned South Caucasus countries unfortunately refrained from appointing representatives as observers to the meeting. Alongside three thematic working groups covering the areas of humanitarian mine action, mine victim assistance and mine ban advocacy, the workshop participants elaborated concrete recommendations. Among other issues they highlighted:
Most importantly civil society organizations agreed to create a regional NGO consortium in order to look for better coordination and collaboration on a regional level, bypassing the tensions between the parties to the various conflicts. This consortium will play a role of confidence-building among the regions. The workshop was organized by Geneva Call in collaboration with the Ukrainian Peace Keepers Association, a Ukrainian NGO. It was generously funded by the European Commission, Germany, Switzerland and Lithuania. Immediately after the workshop, representatives of civil society organizations from the “frozen conflict” regions in the South Caucasus participated in a three-day training to enable them to do a survey on the socio-economic needs of landmine survivors and other persons with disabilities in the conflict zones. Also for the first time the civil society organizations from both sides of the conflicts agreed to work together in this common project. This need assessment survey is kindly financed by the European Commission and Germany. For further information, please contact: Markus Haake, Programme Officer Caucasus, Geneva Call * * * Final Declaration of the Regional Workshop Introduction 1. 47 people attended a workshop entitled ‘Towards an Anti-Personnel Mine-Free South Caucasus’ in Kiev, Ukraine, 26-27 November 2007. Among them were 25 representatives and experts of civil society organizations and media agencies from the South Caucasus. Ten international experts from international and intergovernmental organizations also participated in order to facilitate the workshop’s aims and contribute their own experiences. 2. As donors, the European Commission, Germany, Switzerland and Lithuania addressed the gathering and expressed their support, showing their interest in the need to ban anti-personnel (AP) mines in the region. 3. Representatives of the de facto authorities from Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh and South Ossetia participated at the workshop as observers and presented papers concerning their respective positions on the landmine issue. 4. The workshop was organized by Geneva Call, an international humanitarian NGO, in collaboration with the Ukrainian Peace Keepers Association, a Ukrainian NGO. Declaration We, members of civil society organizations and experts, participating at the workshop 5. Considering that AP mines continue to kill and maim both civilians and military personnel worldwide. 6. Reminding that the majority of victims are civilians, with children and women constituting a large percentage of those affected while there are more than 470 thousand survivors facing the dramatic consequences of AP mines. 7. Considering that approximately 160 million AP mines [mha3] remain stockpiled while dozens of millions of active AP mines must be cleared before they cause new victims. 8. Considering that 156 States have joined the Mine Ban Treaty, meaning that 40 are still out of the process and have to be convinced to be part of this Treaty and supported in their efforts. 9. Considering that 35 de facto authorities and armed non-State actors have signed the Deed of Commitment under Geneva Call for Adherence to a Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Mines and for Cooperation in Mine Action. 10. Considering the invitation made by the States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty (especially in the Nairobi Action Plan) and by the European Union (in several resolutions) to non-State actors to engage in a landmine ban through for instance the signature of the Deed of Commitment of Geneva Call. 11. Recognising the progress and cooperation realised in the fight against AP mines throughout the world during the last 10 years and the international community’s increased support to reach a mine-free world. 12. Reminding of the fundamental rights of landmine survivors, in particular with regard to medical care, physical, psychological, and socio-economic rehabilitation, the need to prevent new victims in the future and the urgency to support specialised local and international organizations. 13. Considering that in the South Caucasus no State has yet signed the Mine Ban Treaty while mine causalities continue to occur. 14. Considering as well that no de facto authorities have signed Geneva Call’s Deed of Commitment or adopted their own policy banning AP mines. 15. Understanding that the rights of the population living in dangerous areas and the rights of the victims have to be considered as an emergency obligation beyond political considerations. 16. Considering civil society organizations and media could play an important role in joining their efforts in the struggle against AP mines. Therefore, we 17. Demand that the international community supports more mine action programmes in order to reach a mine-free world and express its total rejection of the use of AP mines. 18. Urge governments which have not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty to do so as soon as possible. In particular, they urge Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia to accede to the Treaty. 19. Urge the de facto authorities of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Nagorno- Karabakh to adopt their own policy on a total ban through a progressive approach in order to reach Ottawa Convention principle. 20. Urge all actors in the region to improve and increase mine action programmes, ensuring the full participation of landmine survivors, their families, and communities in all phases of programme planning and implementation. 21. Express our willingness to cooperate regionally and locally in order to improve the situation of landmine survivors, their families and communities, to prevent new landmines victims in the future and to achieve an anti-personnel mine-free South Caucasus. 22. Promote, for landmine survivors and persons with disabilities, the adoption of relevant legal provisions, including the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, so that they may fully achieve human rights and socio-economic integration. 23. Agree to create a regional NGO consortium under the auspices of Geneva Call in order to look for better coordination and collaboration on a regional level and for more international support.
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