Ban Advocates Blog

Ban Advocates highly involved in Vientiane, Lao PDR, around the 1st August 2010

Stephanie Castanie — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:00:00 +0200

Open publication - Free publishing - More banadvocates

Moreover, please see below interviews of Lao Ban Advocates in the international media:

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/asiapac/stories/201008/s2971461.htm

http://www.alertnet.org/db/an_art/60167/2010/06/30-142951-1.htm

http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/Aid-Groups-in-Asia-Hail-Start-of-New-Cluster-Munitions-Treaty-99686189.html

Successful Ban Bus Tour in Tajikistan

Stephanie Castanie — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:20:00 +0200

I organized a Ban Bus tour around affected regions of Tajikistan. I informed the communities about the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), and explained to them that implementing this Convention will stop harming civilians, and will provide more assistance for survivors and affected communities.

The key objective of this action was to raise awareness of people in remote affected regions and locations and to help them raise their voices, in order to urge the Government of Tajikistan to join the Oslo Treaty.

During the Ban bus tour I met with a lot of people and I distributed brochures, flyers and booklets about the CCM. I also met with the representatives of Hukumats (local district government) in the affected regions of Tajikistan, briefed them on the situation of cluster munitions in the country, and asked them about their expectations of this Convention.

This action was also covered by the media and was broadcast by the government TV channels “Tajikistan” and “Safina”.

Umarbek Pulodov

Training of cluster munition and landmine survivors, Tajikistan, 30th July - 4th August 2010

Stephanie Castanie — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:10:00 +0200

We, the Tajik Campaign to Ban Landmines, with the support of Umarbek Pulodov as Ban Advocate, organized an “Advocacy & Awareness Raising Training for the Cluster Munition and Landmine Survivors”.

The main objective of this training was to have new Tajik Ban Advocates here in Tajikistan to urge our government to sign and ratify the CCM as soon as possible, preferably before the first meeting of states parties in November in Lao PDR.

Participants of the training were the cluster munition and landmine survivors from affected regions of Tajikistan. The training was held over four days in Varzob gorge with professionals from UNDP, Mass Media representatives and other local NGOs as well as Tajikistan campaign members. The schedule of the training was very extensive and it took a lot of time. However almost all participants were very proud to attend these trainings. All activities were attended with great pleasure.

Among the most interesting and useful topics were:

- Synergies and differences between CCM, MBT & CRPD. The trainer was Bozorali Nosirov, working at UNDP Tajikistan. He has worked many years on this issue and has broad experience of the subject.

- The rights of persons with disabilities in Tajikistan. The trainer was Assadullo, Head of Association of Persons with Disabilities. He has been working for many years with survivors. He is himself a survivor and has an outstanding experience of this issue.

- Media Training was conducted by a professional journalist and trainees found it so interesting that they did not want to finish the lesson and asked to continue with the lesson. The training included public speaking, lobbying skills, how to work with media etc.

Aziza, Umarbek and Bakhtiyor

Celebration of the entry into force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Tajikistan, August 2010

Stephanie Castanie — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:00:00 +0200

In the framework of actions devoted to celebrating the Entry into force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the Tajikistan campaign has organized a Round Table on 3rd August 2010. This event was attended by the representatives of the Presidential Administration, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, Tajikistan Mine Action Centre, local NGOs, Mass Media as well as landmine and cluster munitions survivors.

Round Table participants were informed on the progress with the ban of cluster munitions worldwide, and on efforts toward the Convention’s universalisation. Also participants were informed about the current situation with cluster munitions in Tajikistan. We also briefed our guests on the forthcoming 1MSP, which will be held in Lao PDR.

Participants stated that Tajikistan is a country affected by cluster munitions during internal armed conflict in the 1990s. Currently Tajikistan supports the efforts of the international community at all levels to reduce and remove the threats posed by the use of such a dangerous weapon. In 2007 Tajikistan has joined the Oslo Process and has signed the Wellington Declaration.

The Round Table participants expressed their strong conviction and hope that the Government of Tajikistan will join the States who have already signed and ratified the Convention upon completion of its own internal procedures.

Aziza, Umarbek and Bakhtiyor

"TRAVIS DRUMS", Portland, 1st August 2010

Stephanie Castanie — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:00:00 +0200

Please see below the invitation for the "TRAVIS DRUMS" ceremony in Portland, on 1st August 2010, to celebrate the entry into force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Open publication - Free publishing

Check out this video on the “TRAVIS DRUMS” ceremony:

More information about the ceremony and Lynn’s involvement within the campaign can be found on the Willamette Week Blog:

http://blogs.wweek.com/news/tag/cluster-bombs/

Please see below Lynn’s interview at the “TRAVIS DRUMS” ceremony, which has been posted on the Willamette Week Blog on 2d August 2010:

Please see below another video where Lynn intervened, posted on 3rd August 2010 on News Channel 8, Portland:

Please see below an interview of Lynn posted on the Oregon Live:

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/08/the_us_should_join_and_lead_a.html

It’s past time for the U.S. to join a global ban on cluster bombs - Lynn Bradach, which son Travis, a corporal in the U.S. Marines, was killed by a U.S. cluster bomb in July 2003, while he was clearing unexploded ordnance from an Iraqi farmer's field near Karbala, organized an event in her hometown Portland in Oregon on the First of August and in a column in the Oregon Live from 3 August, she states: “The Pentagon may try and say that cluster bombs are needed to protect American soldiers, but I would answer that the cost to local civilians is too high and that U.S. cluster munitions also directly endanger U.S. troops. According to the Government Accountability Office, during the Persian Gulf War our own cluster bombs killed or injured 80 U.S. troops who had to pass through desert areas scattered with hidden dud cluster submunitions.” She points out that NATO alies like Britain, France and Germany have joined the CCM and already started destroying their stockpiles and she asks: “Why can't we?” She refers to a commitment of the spokeswoman for the Obama transition team in December 2008, saying that the next president would "carefully review" the new treaty banning cluster munitions and would "work closely [with] our friends and allies to ensure that the United States is doing everything feasible to promote protection of civilians" and calls on the administration “to take action now”. She suggests that “The U.S. can start by attending the treaty's first official meeting which will take place this November in Vientiane, PDR Lao” and concludes: “The U.S. should be at this meeting and should work with other countries to make sure this weapon is banned globally once and for all.

Celebrating the entry into force of the Convention in Albania, 1st August 2010

Stephanie Castanie — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:00:00 +0200

On 1st August 2010, the organization ALB-AID started a series of events to celebrate the entry into force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM).

A group of cluster munition survivors from northeast Albania, survivors from the Gerdec explosion and representatives from Albanian civil society were involved in the activities. A popular drum band was invited to start drumming.

This historic celebration of the entry into force of the CCM was organized in front of the Academy of Arts, right next to the presidency in Tirana. A total number of around 60 participants were present when the entrance into force of the convention was initially announced by Mr. Jonuz Kola and Mr.Ilir Shkalla.

Survivors of cluster munitions from Kukes villages, children from affected communities (Gerdec), Albanian Mine Action Executive, civil society and representatives from other NGOs attended this event.

A great interest regarding this activity was shown even by the media as the event was reported in four national TV stations. Ora News TV transmitted the entire celebration live during the “beat the drums” ceremony, following the march through the main boulevard in Tirana, the press conference and the launch of the film on Ban Advocates.

During the drumming activity all participants celebrated with the traditional North Albanian style of dancing under the beat of the drums. Then the participants carrying banners, placards, and flags and wearing t-shirts and hats with messages about the CCM marched down the main boulevard passing by the Presidency, the Government offices and the building of the Albanian Parliament.

Followed by the media the Albanian activists under the organization of ALB-AID marched toward the Tirana International Hotel where a press conference was held for the entry into force of the CCM. Mention was made of the important Albanian government contribution toward this process and it called on governments to start the implementation process as soon as possible and to prioritize victim assistance. Moreover a call was even made for the regional governments in the Balkans to reconsider the position of the central government and to join this incredible humanitarian initiative in saving thousands of potential victims in the future and helping thousands of survivors.

The representative of Albanian Mine Action mentioned that Albania is already free of cluster munitions since December 2009. He mentioned that Albania is working now to prepare the Action Plan to support cluster munition survivors for their re-integration in society.

Albanian Ban Advocate Ardjana Mani has been greatly involved in all activities undertaken in Tirana to celebrate this historic moment. She was also very active in distributing media materials such as T-shirts, hats and leaflets. She has been interviewed by the media regarding her involvement in this proces and regarding the benefits of this Convention for Albanian cluster munition survivors. She also gave a speech in which she recounted the problems of the Albanian survivors and called on the government to work on quick implementation of the Convention and to prioritize victim assistance. The film on Ban Advocates was also launched for the first time in Albania.

Ban Advocates interviewed all around the world, on the occasion of the entry into force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, 1st August 2010

Stephanie Castanie — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 19:00:00 +0200

Please see below Lynn's interview at the "Travis Drums" event, which has been posted on the Willamette Week Blog on August 2d 2010. The video is in English.

http://blogs.wweek.com/news/tag/cluster-bombs/

Please see below a video where Lynn intervened. This video has been posted on the News Channel 8, Portland, on August 3rd 2010. The video is in English.

http://www.kgw.com/video?id=99843614&sec=547977

Please see below a video with an interview of Sladjan, which has been broadcast in Belgium by RTL-TVI on 1st August 2010. The video is in French.

http://www.rtlinfo.be/videos/19h/194489

Please see below a video with an interview of Sladjan, which has been broadcast in Belgium by VRT TV on 1st August 2010. The video is in Dutch.

http://www.deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/mediatheek/programmas/journaal/2.11867/2.11868/1.835640

Please see below a video with an interview of Thoummy, a Lao Ban Advocate, which has been broadcast on 1st August 2010. The video is in German.

http://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/video/ondemand100_id-video747748.html

Please see below a video with an interview of Yoeun Sam En, a Cambodian Ban Advocate, which has been broadcast on 1st August 2010. The video is in English.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIe-oaFZVQo&feature=player_embedded#

Cluster Munitions legally banned on 1 August 2010

Stephanie Castanie — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:00:00 +0200

Film “Ban Advocates: From Victims to Champions” shows how survivors can realize change – Sladjan Vuckovic, Ban Advocate: “our work has not been useless”

The commitment of the Ban Advocates has not been useless as the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) enters into force on 1st August 2010. All over the world, the Ban Advocates celebrate this historic moment.

Here in Brussels, Sladjan and Dusica Vuckovic, two Ban Advocates from Serbia, introduced the film “Ban Advocates: From Victims to Champions” to the media, at the occasion of a press conference organized on 30th July. This was the first public launch of the film.

Please find below both versions of the film (short version 5' and long version 25').

Please find below also some of the interviews of the Ban Advocates, made by Chris Anderson in 2009.

The title of the film, directed by Chris Anderson, “Ban Advocates: from Victim to Champions” reflects both the process the survivors went through and the role they played within the Oslo Process towards a ban on cluster munitions. All members of the Ban Advocates team had to overcome their injuries and trauma before they could really engage in the work they are doing. As Lynn Bradach, an American mother and a member of the Ban Advocates, says: “Membership is painful, because to be a member you must suffer true loss, loss of a limb, your sight or a loved one. In my case it was the loss of my son Marine Cpl Travis Bradach-Nall who was killed while clearing US cluster munitions in Karbala Iraq”, but she adds: “Membership also brings strength, because in order to be a member you agree that it is important to go beyond your pain and to strive to make a difference by using your voice and your experience to demand that countries stop using this inhumane weapon.”

The director, Chris Anderson, comments on his work with the Ban Advocates team: "Working with the Ban Advocates over the last few years has not just been a rewarding experience, but a tremendously enjoyable one too. I have been deeply impressed by their commitment to a process that will bring help, hope and change to thousands of people around the world, while overcoming their own life-changing injuries or bereavements. I have also been touched by the sense of loyalty and “camaraderie” that they have forged between themselves. It was an honor to have been involved."

Download the press release: Press Release

As Sladjan Vuckovic says “The application of the Convention will start now, thanks to the goodwill of thousands of people. After so many efforts, discussions and negotiations, we arrived at the point where we can say that our work has not been useless. I am an optimist and I sincerely believe that the Convention will not remain dead letter and be respected and implemented. Nevertheless, I know that our work isn’t finished. We need to do even more efforts to implement all provisions of the Convention.” And he adds that he regrets, that “the Republic of Serbia, although it played a distinguished role in the beginning of the Oslo Process, still hasn’t joined the treaty.” For the Ban Advocates it is incomprehensible and unacceptable. As survivors, they can not imagine that Serbia will ignore the clear message its own survivors send out today: “Join the Convention on Cluster Munitions and invest in victim assistance.”

Film "The Ban Advocates: From Victims to Champions"

Stephanie Castanie — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:55:00 +0200

Please find below both versions of the film (short version 5' and long version 25')

the external evaluation of the Ban Advocates initiative is now available online!

Stephanie Castanie — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:50:00 +0200

Film: Banning Cluster Bombs: the campaign and the treaty

Stephanie Castanie — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:00:00 +0200

Please find below the short film: Banning Cluster Bombs: the campaign and the treaty. Both Ban Advocates Ayat Syleiman Ali and Sladjan Vuckovic intervene in the film.

Please find on this website below more information on campaign actions undertaken by Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) members worldwide, to celebrate the historic milestone presented by the entry into force (EIF) of the Convention on Cluster Munitions

http://www.august1.org