The UN Human Rights Council, during its 63rd session in Geneva, has unanimously adopted a resolution titled "The impact of anti-personnel mines on the full enjoyment of all human rights: enhancing victim assistance." The resolution was submitted by Algeria, along with Peru, South Africa, Vanuatu, the UK, Mozambique, and Croatia. This resolution is an extension of the 58/22 resolution initiated by Algeria during the 58th session of the Council.
The resolution continues the path launched by Algeria within the Council, moving the initiative to a more specific phase focusing on enhancing assistance to landmine victims based on a human rights approach. The initiative was widely welcomed by participating country delegations and civil society organizations, appreciating Algeria's role in this field, given its historical experience with inherited landmines from the colonial era.
Algeria has achieved significant accomplishments in demining with entirely national capabilities. The resolution, up to its adoption, was endorsed by 70 countries, making it one of the resolutions with the largest number of supporting countries, reflecting broad international consensus on the humanitarian and rights dimensions of this issue and confidence in the Algerian initiative.
The resolution focuses on the rights and needs of victims, their families, and communities, emphasizing the necessity of victim-centered comprehensive support, including their social and economic reintegration. It expresses concern over the severe impact of landmines on the right to life, freedom of movement, health, education, work, adequate food, and development.
The resolution encourages enhancing data collection systems, integrating psychological and social support into victim assistance programs, and ensuring access for people with disabilities to health institutions and public facilities. It urges states to fulfill their obligations under international human rights law and humanitarian law and considers joining the Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines.
The resolution calls for strengthened international cooperation to accelerate demining efforts, ensure comprehensive and non-selective assistance to victims, and provide technical assistance and capacity building for affected states, particularly developing and least developed countries. It also plans a panel discussion during the 66th session of the Human Rights Council to explore the importance of enhancing victim assistance.
The adoption of the resolution confirms Algeria's role in defending humanitarian issues related to human rights within UN forums and embodies its ongoing commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation, in light of the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines in 2027.
Key points
- The resolution focuses on enhancing assistance to landmine victims based on a human rights approach.
- The initiative was widely welcomed by participating country delegations and civil society organizations.
- The resolution was endorsed by 70 countries, reflecting broad international consensus on the humanitarian and rights dimensions of this issue.
