Jordan, which signed the Mine Ban Convention in August 1998 and ratified it in November of the same year, has been committed to fulfilling its obligations to end the global threat of landmines.

The convention prohibits some 156 signatory states from the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel mines and commits them to their destruction.

It also obliges them to carry out a series of mine-action efforts to reduce the social, economic and environmental impact of mines on people and countries' development.

As a state party to the convention, Jordan has been taking the needed steps to remove all anti-personnel mines from its territory and render land safe for communities and national economic development plans.

The Kingdom has also established the institutional structures necessary for implementing humanitarian mine-action activities, with the creation of the National Committee for De-mining and Rehabilitation (NCDR) in 2000 as the leading policy-making and supervisory body for mine-action activities.

The NCDR, chaired by HRH Prince Mired, is also responsible for the regulation, management and coordination of national mine- action programmes, as well as the development of national mine-action standards, standing operating procedures and instructions and supervising implementation of these activities.

Efforts under mine-action efforts include mine risk education, humanitarian de-mining, victim assistance, stockpile destruction and advocacy against anti-personnel (AP) mines.

In addition, state signatories are obliged to develop national policies and legislation that see through obligations set by the convention.

The 2008 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Law seals these obligations.

The legislation includes penal sanctions on activities prohibited for State Parties to the convention and clarifies rules under which mine action is implemented.

Under Article 3 of the law, it is prohibited to use or plant AP mines in Jordan; import, export, transfer, trade in, manufacture, develop, own or possess, purchase, deliver, receive or concede AP mines; or mediate directly or indirectly in any of those acts.

The law, however, makes exemptions for the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) and other parties by a written order from the defence minister, upon the recommendation of the NCDR.

These exemptions are restricted to the right to keep the required number of AP mines for the purposes of creating detection, clearance or training techniques when needed, or to the transfer of AP mines for the purpose of their destruction.

Article 5 of the law also sets the NCDR as the main body supervising, coordinating and cooperating with the JAF and other parties in identifying areas suspected of being contaminated by landmines for their clearance and destruction.

In addition, the law allows these entities to request the assistance of any international organisation, governmental or nongovernmental party to explore and destroy implanted mines and provide the required equipment, materials, related scientific and technological information and training.

Also under the law, stringent action will be taken on those who violate the statutes of Article 3 of the convention.

By law, those found guilty can be subjected to temporary hard labour or pay an amount that does not exceed JD10,000, or face both penalties.

It also imposes a three-month imprisonment, or no more than JD500, or both, on any person proven to have intentionally performed any activities that could hinder the mission of the inquiry team.

Instigators and collaborators are also punishable under the law, facing the same penalties as perpetrators.

Under the law, the authorised court may confiscate seized mines and any vehicles, machinery or equipment used in committing crimes stipulated in the legislation.

Meanwhile, Article 11 protects those who notify the competent authorities of any crimes under this law before it is discovered, or assist in the arrest of persons suspected of breaking the law.

Although Jordan has been moving ahead with mine clearance to reach its goals by May 2009, its expectation of meeting that goal is uncertain, with the new deadline expected to be in 2011.

The Royal Engineers Corps have completed mine clearance in the Jordan Valley, and de-mining efforts led by the Norwegian People's Aid in Wadi Araba and Aqaba have also been completed.

The Kingdom's final de-mining effort is along the northern border, with plans to begin clearance soon.

Jordan already completed the destruction of its stockpiles in April 2003, a month ahead of the deadline set by the convention.

By Dalya Dajani

© Jordan Times 2008

 

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