MAC & NCBL: Mine Field Free Nepal and the NCBL

Just as the gardens of Nepal grow once more, a sense of peace and tranquility has been restored. No longer will women, men and children be foreced to live amidst the fear of stepping on a landmine because on 14 June 2011, Nepal was officially declared, mine field free. This is a tremendous achievement attributable to humanitarian deminers, UN Agencies and international donor countries. There is no denying the collaborative team effort required to get the job done, However, it is important to ask ourselves, what is the genesis point for getting the mines out of the ground? I would suggest that it all begins wiht civil society.
Civil society is that wind from below pushing for progress and calling for change. They are the tireless social justice advocates holding firm to their ideals and resolute in their commitment toward righting societal wrongs. As the Nepalese affiliate to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal has been on the frontlines of mine action. They have been instrumental in mobilizing all parties toward removing these indiscriminate weapons of war from the ground. On the occassion of Mine Field Free Nepal Day, I asked the members of the NCBL to share their proudest moment in the campaign. Sure enough, they happily obliged to do so, but true to their social justice nature, they insisted on highlighting the important work yet to be complete.
Here is a look into the events marking Mine Field Free Nepal Day and the sentiments of the campaigners of the NCBL.
Nepal is now mine field free. It's time to take the next step and sign the Mine Ban Treaty.

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