Belgian's Princess Astrid Participates in Mine Ban Convention

Before her untimely death in August 1997, Diana, the Princess of Wales, reached out to the victims of land mine explosions in Angola and Bosnia despite drawing political controversy with her humanitarian efforts.

Since that time, The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction was established on September 18, 1997. That same year on December 3rd, the Convention of Ottawa was signed by representatives exceeding 100 states “thereby expressing their determination to put an end to the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel mines.”

It is not a forgotten cause. The Convention is celebrating its 10th anniversary and 155 states have gathered in Jordan to continue the work of banning land mines. As part of the Belgian delegation, King Albert’s daughter, Princess Astrid, departed for Amman yesterday to take part in the Eighth Meeting of the States Parties Mine Ban Convention. She was greeted by Prince Miraad Bin Raad upon her arrival. The convention is set for November 18th to November 22nd. This is the first time that the convention has met in the Middle East. In a letter greeting to the delegates of the convention, Prince Miraad reminded them of their commitment to ridding the world of land mines and wrote: “It will be a time for all States Parties to reflect upon what they have achieved in the last decade and what still remains to be completed. In general, great progress has been made in ridding the world of anti-personnel mines yet many challenges remain. As States Parties, we must maintain our stamina and not lose sight of our ultimate goal... that of a 'mine free world.' To this end, mine affected countries must wholeheartedly recommit themselves to this cause and donor interest must be sustained in the long term.”

Photo: Petra