© O. Di Sima for Handicap International

Since 1992, millions of citizens have been campaigning against landmines following the launch of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) founded by Handicap International and five other NGOs. This exceptional action, unprecedented in international law, resulted in the signing, in December 1997, of the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty, and the winning of the Nobel Peace Prize in the same year.  Throughout the world the signatories celebrated this victory which proves that a little individual commitment can go a long way.

Today as landmines and unexploded ordnance continue to kill and mutilate one person every 90 minutes, the organisation is pursuing its fight against these cowardly weapons. In doing so we are keeping up the pressure on the 40 states including Russia, China and the USA who still refuse to sign the Mine Ban Treaty. At the same time we denounce the cynicism of certain states that use, produce and sell cluster bombs despite the fact that they openly violate international humanitarian law. Following the same process as that which led to the landmines ban we invite all European and French citizens to take action to obtain a ban.  

In the face of such barbarity every gesture counts:    to Sign