Resolution on anti-personnel landmines

In adopting this resolution on anti-personnel landmines, the European Parliament asked the EU to reinforce the actions it is currently carrying out on preventing the dissemination of landmines, on information, de-mining and help for the rehabilitation of victims and on putting into place rehabilitation programmes in the worst affected areas. Against this background, the resolution called for the Ottawa anti-mines Convention to be incorporated into national laws so that the transfer and use of anti-personnel mines should be subject to criminal in Member States. The resolution also invited the EU to take further action at the international level to get those countries which are not yet signatories to the Ottawa Convention to adhere to it. However, the resolution draws attention to signatory states which continue anti-personnel mines. Against this background, the resolution states that adherence to the Convention should be considered a vital point of reference in all negotiations between the EU and third countries. Research should be pursued to develop safer technologies in order to speed up the detection and elimination of mines. The resolution also calls on the Council and Commission to consider using the non-military rapid reaction facility for urgent de-mining operations. Finally, the resolution asserts that additional resources should be granted to NGOs, to 'grass roots' organisations and to local communities that are seeking to combat anti-personnel mines.�