The Ottawa Treaty and Engaging Non-State Actors in a Landmines Ban

Abstract

The Ottawa Treaty is a major achievement in the global movement to ban landmines. It codifies the illegal status of the use of landmines and provides for State Party undertakings or obligations regarding the use, stockpiling, production and
transfer of landmines. However, the absence of specific language regarding the application of the treaty means that non-state actors (NSAs) are not bound by the treaty. At present there are no legal mechanisms for the participation of NSAs in the landmines ban. But NSAs must be engaged primarily because they use landmines
in armed conflicts. The author suggests the development of a process that will engage NSAs in efforts towards a universal ban on landmines.