Special Political and Decolonization

Statement in the General Debate of the Special Political and Decolonization (4th) Committee on Assistance in Mine Action-7 November 2007

Mr. Chairman,

1. We welcome the opportunity to participate in this important debate. The progress in recent years in making mine clearance and mine action more effective is praiseworthy. The global decline in civilian casualties as a result of these efforts is indeed encouraging. Mine action is supporting peacekeeping efforts and humanitarian and development activities in numerous situations. However, a lot remains to be done. Lives of millions of civilians continue to be threatened by mines and explosive remnants of war in various old and new situations of armed conflict. Humanitarian action, social and economic recovery, reconstruction, return of refugees and internally displaced persons – in sum the entire peace-building effort is impacted in the mine affected countries.
2. Sustained collective efforts and additional resources are needed to address these challenges. Continued and enhanced international support, assistance and coordination are required, with particular attention to mine clearance, awareness and mine risk education; rehabilitation of mine victims; advancement, use, sharing and transfer of new technologies to support mine action; and development of national capacities and ownership.
3. For continued success, it is also important to concentrate on the main objective of reducing the humanitarian and socio-economic threats posed by mines. We believe our discussion under this agenda item must also remain focused on humanitarian de-mining. This must also be the main thrust of the United Nations actions on mine action. It may be mentioned that non-parties to the Mine Ban Convention have also contributed significantly to mine action. However, any attempt to impose treaty obligations on non states parties in the name of assistance in mine clearance and mine action cannot be allowed. There is also no justification for an advocacy role of the United Nations for universalization of treaties or conventions which do not take into account the positions and concerns of states. Apart from questions over legality or value addition of such efforts, they also risk undermining the consensus and collective efforts around the objectives of humanitarian de-mining. We believe that technical issues such as the detectability of mines other than anti-personnel mines, which are not directly linked to the effectives and success of humanitarian de-mining, should be discussed at the appropriate fora. It may also be emphasized that the development and implementation of policies, strategies and activities of the United Nations related to mine action must be approved and reviewed by the Member States.

Mr. Chairman,

4. Pakistan supports the eventual elimination of anti-personnel mines. However, Pakistan was unable to join the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty due to its legitimate security concerns. Realization of universal ban on anti-personnel mines will be difficult till viable alternatives are available. Pakistan is a party to the amended Protocol II to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons which allows responsible uses of landmines. Consistent with its obligations under the Protocol, Pakistan has regulated the use of anti-personnel mines, including inter alia the effective exclusion of civilians from mined areas through marking, fencing and monitoring. Pakistan produces only detectable antipersonnel mines since 1 January 1997. We have also declared a voluntary and unilateral moratorium on the export of land mines since March 1997. Pakistan remains inclined towards negotiating an international legal instrument against the transfer of anti-personnel mines at the Conference on Disarmament.

Mr. Chairman,

5. Pakistan has also a long and distinguished record of supporting international and UN efforts in humanitarian mine clearance operations and training, including in the most heavily mine infested situations in Cambodia, Afghanistan, Angola and Kuwait, all fraught with high risks.
6. In Cambodia, Pakistan was selected to undertake mine clearance operations and impart training by establishing UN De-mining School in Cambodia. Of the 4 regional de-mining brigades in Cambodia, two were fully made up of Pakistani personnel, while one had mixed UN contribution, headed by a Pakistani officer. In Afghanistan, Pakistan contributed to “operation salam” by establishing training camps on humanitarian grounds to provide training in mine clearance and explosive neutralization techniques. From 1989 onwards, Pakistan provided military contingents, mine detectors, training facilities and medical facilities for de-miners injured in mine clearance operations in Afghanistan. Pakistan has also been providing medical facilities including artificial limbs to Afghan mine victims. In Kuwait, Pakistan participated in the biggest Explosive Ordnance Disposal operation of recent history.
7. Pakistan has also contributed to other de-mining operations under UN auspices in Somalia, Eastern Slavonia, Western Sahara and Bosnia. Pakistani peace-keeping contingents have also voluntarily offered to assist local authorities in mine clearance. We have also provided training assistance for humanitarian de-mining in Sri Lanka. Currently, Pakistan is undertaking humanitarian de-mining in Sudan as part of UNMIS. Pakistan’s mine action teams are accredited by the UN Mine Action Service.
8. Pakistan is committed to continue playing its role in mine clearance and mine action. In doing this, we keep the humanitarian dimension of the issue in the forefront. It is in this spirit that we participate in this discussion. In conclusion I would like to thank the delegation of Portugal for coordinating the discussion on the draft resolution.

Thank you.