Fewer people were killed/injured by landmines in 2013 than in any previous year, and nearly all use and production of the weapon has ceased, according to the latest annual report from the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL).
the Mine Ban Treaty was signed in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on December 3, 1997.
In 2013, the recorded number of casualties caused by mines and other explosive remnants of war decreased to 3,308 - the lowest level since the Monitor started recording casualties in 1999 - and nearly one-quarter fewer than in 2012.
In 2013, there was an average of nine victims per day, indicating that many lives are being saved when compared to the 25 each day reported in 1999. As in previous years, the vast majority of the recorded casualties were civilians (79%).
With the August 2014 accession by Oman, a total of 162 countries are now States Parties to the treaty. Of the only 35 states still outside the agreement, almost all abide by its key provisions, indicating near-universal acceptance of the mine ban norm.
how can countries not already part of the treaty be persuaded to stop making and using land mines?
The thought of no land mines should be enough to persuade countries in joining the treaty. No one wants to be blown up a land mine, or suffer from the consequences of one going off nearby. As long as there is a country out there producing and using them, I don't see all countries uniting unanimously on this treaty. The argument of "if those guys have it, so should we" would prevail all too often.
Land mines are misty a sophisticated version of roadside bombs and IEDs. I believe that most nations will or have complied even if they haven't signed the treaty because old school land mines don't discriminate from government, military, and civilian, and trying to remove them is quite a good way to get reelected (or if that isn't a thing, to win public support). With that in mind, it shouldn't be hard to determine who isn't playing by the rules...
Cool fact!: The US has been developing something called a "smart land mine." It really seems more like a computerized mortar launcher but thats what it technically is! Its really really cool! It can determine whether a passing vehicle (not an anti-personal "mine" that would be too hard) is friend, foe, or neutral. Best of all, when there is no longer a need for it, or if the Army or Marines or whoever wants to move it, they have GPS devices installed and can be remotely disarmed!
(This was on the Military Channel. Pretty cool stuff that can save the lives of allies and civilians!)
