Ottawa Treaty 97-99
The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction
The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, also known as the Mine Ban Convention or the Ottawa Treaty was adopted on September 18, 1997 and entered into force on March 1, 1999. To date, 162 States have formally agreed to be bound by the Convention. The Convention seeks to put an end to existing suffering and to prevent future suffering. It bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines. In addition, States that agreed on the Convention accept that they will destroy stockpiled and emplaced anti-personnel mines and assist the victims of mines. The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention pursues four core aims: Ensuring universal adherence, destroying stockpiled mines, clearing mined areas and assisting the victims. To achieve these aims the convention puts a focus on cooperation and assistance, transparency and the exchange of information, facilitating compliance and implementation support.