| U.S.
Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Bombs News
1) Radio Series Remembers Cluster Bombing of Laos Listen to a 5-part series by World Radio Switzerland on the impact of cluster bombs on Laos. A secret U.S. bombing campaign in Laos from 1964-1973 made it the most heavily bombed country in the world. Decades later, more than 10 million cluster submunitions still litter the land, waiting to explode in the hand of a curious child or at the foot of a subsistence farmer. For this reason, USCBL has focused heavily on Laos while making April a month of action on cluster bombs. 2) Landmine Victims Compete in Beauty Competition Augusta Curica is Miss Landmine 2008. The first ever beauty contest for landmine victims was held in early April and featured 18 Angolan women. The event, organized by Norwegian artist Morten Traavik, generated international attention and controversy. At age 12, Curica lost her leg when she stepped on a landmine while fetching water. She was awarded a Norwegian-made custom prosthetic leg, a prize which generated substantial criticism. Traavik defended the prize, arguing it draws attention to the fact that there are not enough prosthetic limbs to go around. 3)Global Day of Landmine Awareness Sparks Reflection April 4th marked the 3rd annual International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action as declared by the United Nations. Among those urging support for increased funding for demining efforts and victim assistance was UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. The day served as a chance for reflection on progress toward mine clearance as dictated by the Mine Ban Treaty. The first deadlines are in 2009 when the treaty reaches its 10th anniversary. The day also served as a reminder of the power of the international norm which now exists against landmine use. Negotiations toward a similar cluster bomb treaty, known as the "Oslo Process", are expected to conclude next month in Dublin, Ireland. While the U.S. government will not be present, you can urge your legislators to co-sponsor the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act (S.594/H.R.1755). Further support for this bill will show that millions of Americans stand behind the goal of a cluster bomb ban. 4) Red Cross Teams Up with Soccer Clubs to Demine Afghanistan You can join the Red Cross and European soccer clubs in raising money for landmine victims in Afghanistan. Find out how by visiting the Score for the Red Cross website. In addition to individual contributions, UEFA (the Union of European Football Associations) will donate 4,000 Euros (more than $6,000) per goal scored during the Euro 2008 competition. 5) Recommended Reading: “Banning Landmines” “Banning Landmines” looks at the accomplishments and setbacks in the crucial first decade of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, as well as the impact the movement behind the treaty has had on other issues such as cluster munitions and disability rights. The book’s authors are Jody Williams, Steve Goose and Mary Wareham, all of whom were at the center of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). ICBL was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997. Find out more about the book and how you can order it. For more information on the US Campaign to Ban Landmines, go to www.banminesusa.org U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines To make a donation to the US Campaign to Ban Landmines go to: www.banminesusa.org/support/body.html and click on Donate. |
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For more on the Mine Ban Treaty, go to www.icbl.org |