ANNEX

PROJECT IN SUPPORT OF THE OSLO ACTION PLAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1997 CONVENTION ON THE PROHIBITION OF THE USE, STOCKPILING, PRODUCTION AND TRANSFER OF ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES AND ON THEIR DESTRUCTION

Background

To contribute to greater human security as envisioned through the European Security Strategy, by promoting acceptance of the norms and implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (the ‘Convention’). The Union-backed project would support States Parties’ efforts to implement various aspects of the Oslo Action Plan 2020-2024 (the ‘OAP’), as adopted at the Fourth Review Conference of the Convention in November 2019.

The proposed Project would build on Joint Action 2008/487/CFSP and Council Decisions 2012/700/CFSP and (CFSP) 2017/1428, contributing inputs to preparations of the Fifth Review Conference of the Convention in 2024.

Project 1: Support for implementation of mine clearance (Article 5 of the Convention), for international cooperation and assistance (Article 6 of the Convention), and for transparency and exchange of information (Article 7 of the Convention)

1.1. Objectives

— To increase capacity to report and address contamination by anti-personnel mines including, where relevant, those of an improvised nature.

— To deliver context-specific mine risk education and reduction efforts.

— To establish sustainable national capacities to address previously unknown mined areas.

— To increase regular dialogue with stakeholders.

— To explore opportunities for cooperation (international, regional, triangular and south-south) to address remaining challenges.

— To improve reporting in line with the OAP and its indicators.

1.2. Description

With input from the Committee on Article 5 Implementation on the selection of beneficiary countries/regions, up to five national/regional events would be held in the Americas, Europe, Central or South-East Asia, the Middle East-North Africa (MENA) region, Horn of Africa and sub-Sahara regions.

The National or Regional Stakeholder Dialogues would seek to further improve cooperation and assistance on the implementation of OAP Actions related to Articles 5, 6, and 7 of the Convention. In some cases, those Dialogues would place special emphasis on the reporting of anti-personnel mines of an improvised nature. Priority for National Dialogues would be given to States with upcoming mine clearance deadlines that require support. In addition, Dialogues could be held in States that are close to completing mine clearance (Article 5 of the Convention) or that have recently done so in line with OAP Action 26.

Building on past successes, the events would consider and be informed by, at the design, management and implementation levels, the different needs and perspectives of women, girls, boys and men in mine-affected communities, and of mine action partners.

Dialogues would be organised and co-facilitated by the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) and beneficiary State Party together with relevant intergovernmental organisations partnering or co-hosting the event.

In the spirit of cooperation that has been a staple of the Convention, relevant Union entities and Member States, the Committee on Article 5 Implementation and the Committee on the Enhancement of Cooperation and Assistance, donor representatives, United Nations (UN) agencies, international and national mine clearance organisations, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and other stakeholders would be involved. If resulting in sponsorship, such involvement would be subject to the conditions to be developed in the budgetary impact statement.

ISU-supported follow-up actions may be undertaken in response to recommendations resulting from the Dialogues or stemming from the relevant Committee’s Observations and/or relevant Decisions of States Parties (e.g. Decisions on extension requests). Continuing with established practice, where beneficiary State Parties are involved in country coalitions or partnerships with the Union or its Member States, the ISU would work concertedly with all parties.

1.3. Results

— State representatives gain further knowledge of how to ensure OAP implementation through inclusive consultations with members of affected communities.

— State representatives gain awareness of the need to establish, as soon as possible and well ahead of completion, national capacities to address new or previously unknown mined areas following completion.

— State representatives build capacities to improve OAP reporting under the Guide of Reporting.

— State representatives learn about available cooperation and assistance to support their implementation efforts, as well as about steps they can take to encourage such cooperation and assistance, including through the establishment of National Mine Action Platforms.

— State representatives learn about challenges and gaps with regard to the implementation of their OAP commitments and evaluate in particular where they stand with respect to the OAP indicators.

— Based on the Dialogues, state representatives consider the revision, update or development of national mine clearance strategies or plans.

— The different perspectives of women, girls, boys and men and the needs of mine survivors and affected communities are considered and their meaningful participation is ensured.

1.4. Beneficiaries

— Women, girls, boys and men whose lives are affected by the presence or suspected presence of anti-personnel mines in States Parties that are in the process of implementing Article 5 obligations under the Convention or that have recently fulfilled such obligations.

— State representatives working on issues related to the implementation of the Convention, and in particular aspects related to mine clearance, and mine risk education and reduction.

Project 2: Support for implementation of victim assistance, for international cooperation and assistance (Article 6 of the Convention), and for transparency and exchange of information (Article 7 of the Convention)

2.1. Objectives

States Parties implement victim assistance (‘VA’) as part of wider disability rights and development approaches taking into account gender and mine survivors’ diverse needs, including the needs of mine survivors in rural and remote areas.

2.2. Description

By adopting the OAP, the States Parties re-affirmed their commitment to ‘ensuring the full, equal and effective participation of mine victims in society, based on respect for human rights, gender equality, inclusion and non-discrimination’.

Thanks to financial support provided through Decision (CFSP) 2017/1428, and as a follow-up to the global conference referred to in Decision 2012/700/CFSP, VA and disability rights practitioners from States Parties and not party with a significant number of survivors met at a global conference to further tie partnerships with the disability rights world at national and international levels.

This was achieved thanks to the participation of relevant national ministries, and vast expertise provided by the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Disability and Accessibility, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and expert ICBL-member organisations such as Humanity and Inclusion (HI), among others.

Building on that achievement, this Project would support a third global conference, with experienced VA practitioners, the UN Special Envoy on Disability and Accessibility and a Member of the Committee of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), to review OAP implementation and contribute towards a new Action Plan to be adopted by the international community in 2024. Such a conference would take place at least a year prior to the Fifth Review Conference and would count on the participation and input of the Review Conference President-Designate.

With input from the Committee on Victim Assistance on the selection of the beneficiary countries/regions, the Project would extend its support to States Parties via National and/or Regional Stakeholders Dialogues in up to five events in the Americas, Europe, Central or South-East Asia, the MENA region, Horn of Africa and sub-Sahara regions. Those Dialogues would seek to support States Parties in strengthening their multi-sectoral efforts to ensure that VA implementation is in line with relevant CRPD provisions. The Dialogues would seek to strengthen and ensure inclusion and effective participation of mine victims and their representative organisations, in discussions to mobilise and secure resources and guarantee services from a rights-based perspective. In order to further strengthen those ties and maintain a cohesive plan to build and develop national capacities, the Project would also seek to host VA Experts Meetings prior to the Meetings of the States Parties as needed but, in any case, at least three times.

Building on past successes, the events would consider and be informed at the design, management and implementation levels by an inclusive process taking into consideration the different needs and perspectives of women, girls, boys and men who have survived the explosion of anti-personnel mines, mine-affected communities and the disability-rights community, including mine survivors in rural and remote areas. This would ensure added value to the efforts being undertaken at national levels.

The Dialogues would be organised and co-facilitated by the ISU and beneficiary State Party and, where relevant, with the regional intergovernmental organisation co-sponsoring the Dialogue. In the spirit of cooperation that has been a staple of the Convention, relevant Union entities and Member States, the Committee on Victim Assistance and the Committee on the Enhancement of Cooperation and Assistance, donor representatives, UN agencies including the WHO and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, international and national mine clearance organisations, the ICRC and other stakeholders such as the ICBL and member organisations such as HI would be involved. If resulting in sponsorship, such involvement would be subject to the conditions to be developed in the budgetary impact statement.

ISU-supported follow-up actions may be undertaken in response to recommendations resulting from the Dialogues or stemming from the relevant Committee’s Observations and/or relevant conclusions of the National/Regional Dialogues. This would include sponsorship of relevant VA practitioners and/or representatives of mine survivor organisations to participate in technical exchange visits or to attend formal or informal meetings of the Convention. Continuing with established practice, where beneficiary State Parties are involved in country coalitions or partnerships with the Union or its Member States, the ISU would work concertedly with all parties.

2.3. Results

— State representatives increase knowledge on how best to ensure a multi-sectoral response to implement their VA obligations, and integrate VA into broader national policies, plans and legal frameworks.

— States gain understanding on the need to ensure that a relevant government entity is assigned to oversee VA integration into broader frameworks, and on the need to develop an action plan based on specific, measurable, realistic and time-bound objectives to support mine victims.

— States increase inclusion in their VA approach, in particular by including, or increasing participation of, mine survivors’ or disability rights’ organisations in national planning and as part of delegations following the Project’s activities.

— State representatives learn about challenges and gaps with regard to the implementation of their OAP commitments and evaluate in particular where they stand with respect to the OAP indicators.

— Based on the Dialogues, state representatives consider the revision, update or development of their national strategies on persons with disabilities.

— Mine survivors’ and disability rights’ organisations further develop their capacities and/or are empowered following the Project’s activities.

— State representatives build capacities to improve OAP reporting under the Guide of Reporting.

— States and victim representative organisations increase partnerships with relevant humanitarian, peacebuilding, development, and human rights communities bearing in mind the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

2.4. Beneficiaries

— Women, girls, boys and men injured by anti-personnel mines and other explosive remnants of war, and other mine victims, including in rural and remote areas.

— VA experts working on issues relevant to VA.

— Disability rights practitioners working in States with a significant number of mine survivors.

Project 3: Support for universalisation efforts and for promotion of the Convention’s norms

3.1. Objective

States not party move closer to accession with relevant officials developing expressed affinity for the Convention and/or the international norms against anti-personnel mines.

3.2. Description

The Oslo Declaration on a Mine-Free World sees States pledge ‘to promote and defend’ the norms established by the Convention, and ‘to spare no effort to universalise the Convention’ based on their ‘obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law’.

The OAP identifies two Actions to ensure an increase in membership of the Convention and a strengthening of the norms of the Convention. OAP Actions 11 and 12 call on States Parties to ‘use all available avenues to promote ratification of/accession to the Convention by States not party including by encouraging their participation in the work of the Convention’ and ‘to continue to promote universal observance of the Convention’s norms and objectives’.

For that purpose, and with input from the Convention President and informal universalisation group, where relevant, the Project would carry out a variety of universalisation efforts. Those would include high-level visits, technical meetings and/or workshops, sponsorship of relevant officials from target States to attend Convention meetings, and ambassadorial-level meetings at the UN headquarters or any of its subsidiary regional headquarters.

At least five activities would be carried out with support of the Convention community including Union Member States and Union Delegations in target States. Continuing with established practice, where the Union or its Member States are involved in country coalitions or partnerships in target States, the ISU would work concertedly with all parties.

Whenever possible, a high-level political approach would be followed up with technical workshops informed by expert input from States leading universalisation efforts, ICBL, ICRC, UN Country Teams, and/or relevant organisations. Those workshops would be carried out at either national, sub-regional or regional levels with relevant ministry(ies) or institution(s) of the target States. The Project would seek to sponsor relevant delegates from target States to attend Convention meetings. This would ensure that States Parties can follow up with target States, and that Convention meetings remain on the target States’ radar. The ISU would coordinate such sponsorship as permitted under the budgetary impact statement.

In addition, the ISU would host a technical ‘follow-up’ meeting at a national, sub-regional or regional level with a State not party previously targeted by either a Union Decision or a Union Joint Action.

3.3. Results

— Decision-makers in States not party gain increased knowledge of the Convention and its norms and/or of support available for accession.

— Relevant state officials gain increased understanding of the work of the Convention.

— States not party publicly express rapprochement with or affinity for the Convention and its norms (e.g. attend a formal or informal meeting of the Convention).

— As a result of the missions, national mine action and/or universalisation stakeholders are reinvigorated to push for universalisation.

— The role of the Union in advancing the Convention and its norms is highlighted among the Convention community, Union officials, and States not party.

— At least one target State not party provides a voluntary Article 7 report.

3.4. Beneficiaries

— States which have not yet ratified, approved, accepted or acceded to the Convention.

— States Parties and international and non-governmental organisations involved in efforts to promote the universalisation of the Convention.

— Women, girls, boys and men in States where a landmine ban is put into place.

Project 4: Support for alternatives to the use of live anti-personnel mines for training (Article 3 of the Convention), and for increased cooperation and assistance (Article 6)

4.1. Objective

States that retain anti-personnel mines for permitted purposes act upon OAP Action 16 including by increasing reporting, and OAP Action 17 by exploring alternatives to live anti-personnel mines.

4.2. Description

There are currently 66 States Parties retaining more than 150 000 anti-personnel mines for permitted purposes under Article 3 of the Convention. While information received from States Parties indicates that this number is decreasing, a handful of States Parties have not submitted annual transparency information on their retained anti-personnel mines for many years.

In order to support States Parties that may wish to act upon OAP Actions 16 and 17, the proposed Project, with input from the Convention President, would support a national or regional seminar with at least two States that request such assistance. States Parties, including Member States, and relevant organisations can provide lessons learnt and roadmaps to replace live anti-personnel mines for training. Continuing with established practice, where the Union or its Member States are involved in country coalitions or partnerships with beneficiary State Parties, the ISU would work concertedly with all parties.

The project would also support a technical workshop on alternatives to using live anti-personnel mines. Whenever relevant and/or possible, Union Member States and other States Parties would be invited to share lessons learnt on alternatives for training and research, and/or destruction of retained anti-personnel mines, further enhancing cooperation and assistance among the Convention community. For that purpose, the Project would involve the Committee on Cooperative Compliance and the Committee on the Enhancement of Cooperation and Assistance.

4.3. Results

— States Parties increase reporting on Article 3 of the Convention in annual transparency reports.

— States Parties in a position to do so engage in cooperation and assistance towards States Parties wanting to take action on Article 3 commitments, and in relation to OAP Actions 16 and 17.

— Updated knowledge is gained by States Parties retaining large number of anti-personnel mines with at least one State Party making inroads towards using alternatives for training.

4.4. Beneficiaries

— States Parties with Article 3 commitments.

— State officials with responsibility for mine clearance training programmes.

— Women, girls, boy and men in States Parties where retained anti-personnel mines are destroyed.

Project 5: Demonstrating the commitment of the Union and its Member States and ensuring their visibility

5.1. Objective

The Convention community and beneficiary State Parties gain understanding on the contribution of the Union and its Member States towards implementation of the Convention, while officials of the Union and of its Member States gain awareness of this Decision and how it may relate to their work.

5.2. Description

As per the previous Council Decisions and Joint Action, the ISU would undertake to highlight the role of the Union and its Member States among the Convention community and in beneficiary and target States. For that purpose and under the Communication and Visibility Plan, the ISU would hold regular briefings, in particular during Convention meetings, throughout the Project’s implementation phase and hold a closing event.

The ISU would undertake media campaigns and publications promoting the Convention’s accomplishment. The ISU would ensure that the role of the Union in this campaign is highlighted.

As established by prior practice, the ISU would submit narrative monthly reports to the Union and quarterly reports to the Union and its Member States on implementation of the project.

5.3. Results

— Officials of the Union and of its Member States would be aware of this Decision and how it may relate to their work.

— The Union’s and Member States’ commitment to the Convention and mine action in general would be put in the spotlight before the States Parties and a global audience interested in human security.