LM Report 2002

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

Antigua and Barbuda signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997, ratified on 3 May 1999, and the treaty entered into force on 1 November 1999. Antigua and Barbuda states that existing legislation makes any treaty it joins part of domestic law. According to the representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), “In essence, we have adopted it as a national law.”^[1]

Antigua and Barbuda provided its initial Article 7 transparency report on 29 March 2000, but has not submitted any subsequent annual report. It was absent from the vote on UN General Assembly resolution 56/24M, but has supported similar pro-ban resolutions in recent years. Antigua and Barbuda has never used, produced, imported, or stockpiled antipersonnel landmines, including for training purposes, and is not mine-affected.^[2] In March 2001, Ambassador Lionel Hurst announced that Antigua and Barbuda pledged a “small sum” of fund toward the OAS Mine Action Program activities in Central America.^[3]

[1] Ambassador Lionel Hurst, Permanent Representative to the OAS. Notes taken by Landmine Monitor (HRW) during Hemispheric Security Committee session on landmines, OAS, Washington DC, 14 March 2002.
[2] Article 7 Report submitted 29 March 2000.
[3] Notes taken by Landmine Monitor (HRW) during Hemispheric Security Committee session on landmines, OAS, Washington DC, 14 March 2002.

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