TOWARDS OTTAWA: A TOTAL BAN TREATY ON ANTI-PERSONNEL LANDMINES

The document analyzes the shift from security-focused disarmament forums, such as the Conference on Disarmament (CD) and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), toward the humanitarian-led Ottawa Process. It details the progression of meetings from Ottawa in 1996 through Brussels and Oslo in 1997, culminating in a treaty for a total ban on anti-personnel landmines (APMs). The paper highlights the role of smaller states and NGOs, the specific challenges posed by US security exemptions, and the acute impact of landmines in Africa.

• The Conference on Disarmament (CD) and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) are viewed as less effective for a total ban because they prioritize security perspectives and require total consensus, which often leads to "protracted negotiations" or agreements reduced to the "lowest common denominator."
• The 1995 Review Conference of the CCW introduced several restrictions on anti-personnel landmines (APMs), including a prohibition on non-detectable and certain remotely delivered mines, but it failed to ban them outright. Critics argue the CCW's definition of APMs as those "primarily designed to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a person" allows for dual-purpose mines to bypass prohibitions.
• The Ottawa Process established a 'fast-track' diplomatic mechanism to negotiate a legally binding treaty for a total ban on the production, use, transfer, and stockpiling of APMs, operating on the principle that the process is "open to all, but hostage to no-one."
• Africa is identified as the region where the landmine problem is "most acute," with 18 of 53 states plagued by mines. Countries most seriously affected include Angola, Mozambique, Chad, Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Egypt.
• The United States initially joined the Oslo talks but ultimately could not sign the final text because the majority of participating countries rejected US proposals for exemptions regarding 'smart' self-destructing APMs and the continued deployment of mines in Korea.
• The resulting Oslo Convention prohibits the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of APMs under any circumstances, requires the destruction of stockpiles within four years of ratification, and provides for the rehabilitation of mine victims.
• The Ottawa Process signifies a shift in multilateral arms control, demonstrating that smaller states and civil society (such as the International Campaign to Ban Landmines) can set global agendas and prioritize "human security and utility ahead of its military significance."

APA

Naidoo, V., & McMillin, P. (1997). TOWARDS OTTAWA: A TOTAL BAN TREATY ON ANTI-PERSONNEL LANDMINES. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/paper_26.pdf

Chicago

Naidoo, Vinothan, and Penny McMillin. TOWARDS OTTAWA: A TOTAL BAN TREATY ON ANTI-PERSONNEL LANDMINES. Institute for Security Studies, 1997. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/paper_26.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Naidoo |first1=Vinothan |last2=McMillin |first2=Penny |title=TOWARDS OTTAWA: A TOTAL BAN TREATY ON ANTI-PERSONNEL LANDMINES |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=November 1997 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/paper_26.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{naidoo1997towards, author = {Naidoo, Vinothan and McMillin, Penny}, title = {{TOWARDS OTTAWA: A TOTAL BAN TREATY ON ANTI-PERSONNEL LANDMINES}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {1997}, month = nov, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/paper_26.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }