The Role of NGOs in the Ottawa Process to Ban Landmines

Abstract

The Ottawa Process, which brought about the Convention banning anti-personnel landmines, is examined. The article looks specifically at the role of NGOs in the negotiations. A brief description of the origins of the Ottawa Process is provided. Six issues regarding the nature and status of NGOs involved and the roles they played in the negotiations are then considered. Finally, conclusions are drawn regarding the circumstances under which NGOs might participate in international negotiations. The implications such occasions might have for questions such as democratizing foreign policy are also examined.

Towards a framework convention on global health

“…Finally, the treaty could be developed outside the UN system, as was done with the Mine Ban Treaty. 14 Regardless of the pathway, to fulfil its promise the treaty must have rigorous norms, monitoring and compliance, with powerful social movements behind it. The first step is to engage in an inclusive participatory process, research and analysis and sharing of experience and knowledge to ensure that the treaty genuinely responds to the health needs -and demands -of the most marginalized.…”

Dynamics of NGO legitimacy: how organising betrays core missions of INGOs

“…Hence, INGOs not only owe their legitimacy to their normative claims, but also to public recognition that they are morally entitled to inform and influence international legislators (Cohen, 2004). For example the negotiation of the 1997 Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use, production and transfer of mines and has more than 150 signatory states parties, is the result of an effective INGO lobby organised in the International Campaign Against Landmines, representing more than 1400 INGOs (Short, 1999).…”

Testing the effectiveness of non-governmental organizations (NGOs): case studies of the landmines initiative and the Multilateral Agreement on Investment with a focus on Canadian foreign policy

“…CCW produced the Amended Protocol II, which was the product of the lowest common denominator approach, itself the product of consensus, which proved that the officials were deadlocked (Short 1997). The ICRC declared that the restrictions in the amended protocol were inadequate and difficult to put into practice.…”

“…In a surprise announcement, Russian President Boris Y eltsin announced his intention for Russia to sign the Convention although at some later date (Short 1997).…”