The use of anti-personnel landmines in the Mediterranean region : a case study of Syria and Lebanon

Abstract

After the devastation of an armed conflict, when civilians are trying to repair their country's damaged infrastructure, and rebuild their own livelihoods, they still face constant danger from anti-personnel landmines, which are sometimes used indiscriminatingly during a war. Some statistics which show the prevalence of anti personnel landmines are of 110 million in various countries. This work focused on the following research question "What is the impact of the use of anti-personnel landmines on the Mediterranean Region?" Their use has been affecting the Mediterranean region since the Second World War. Many Mediterranean countries have not joined the Mine Ban Treaty, whilst others such as Syria and Libya have made use of anti-personnel landmines in their recent conflicts. The use of Anti Personnel Landmines in the Mediterranean Region: A case study of Syria and Lebanon was structured as follows. This study was divided into two parts: the use of anti-personnel landmines and their use in the Mediterranean region. One will first be able to get a clear understanding of the history of anti-personnel landmines and their impact following plantation. This work tracked the development of treaties and conventions prohibiting certain methods of warfare causing unnecessary suffering to the establishment of the Mine Ban Treaty and the important role that International Organisations played and still do. The second part dealt with the Mediterranean, one was able to identify the various situations which exist in the region. There are states which are not affected by landmines, others who do not make use of landmines but are affected by them and tmally those who make use of landmines and consequently are affected by them. The case studies of Syria and Lebanon would be dealt with in further detail taking into perspective historical aspect and the current situation in both countries. The final chapter was built up on the issue of security in the Mediterranean region where particular attention was given to the socio-economic, environmental and human security aspects. Syria and Lebanon are two countries which have not yet become party to the convention. Lebanon had shown an interest in becoming a party to the convention, by words and by actions, but as yet has not done so. Syria, on the other hand, through its recent events does not take into consideration the basic focus of the Ottawa Convention or Humanitarian Law in general being the humanitarian value of it all. Literature on anti-personnel landmines is vast, although not that recent, whilst that on the situation in the Mediterranean is quite limited since many countries in the region are not party to the Ottawa Convention therefore in many cases the Government forces do not give official figures of stockpiles.