In 1992, after 10 years undoing the damage caused by landmines, Handicap International decided to form and lead an international movement. Along with five other organizations[1], we founded the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, with a clear objective: a total ban on landmines.

In order to reach this objective the campaign concentrated heavily on lobbying governments and galvanizng public opinion and the media.

On December 3rd, 1997, thanks to overwhelming support from civil society, leaders and certain states such as Canada, 123 countries signed the Mine Ban Treaty which bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of antipersonnel landmines and makes a provision for their destruction.

On December 10th 1997, the Nobel Peace Prize was jointly awarded to the organizations that make up the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Today there are 1,400 organizations in over a hundred countries.

In 1998, the International Campaign created the Landmine Monitor which aims to regulate the application of the Mine Ban Treaty, to ensure it is observed and more generally, to asses the international community's efforts to resolve the landmine problem.

March 1st 1999, the Mine Ban Treaty came into force, more quickly than any other disarmament treaty in history. The ban on landmines has become a new international standard. On March 20th 2006 154 states out of 194 had signed the Mine Ban Treaty and 149 had ratified it.

Since the signing of the treaty, Handicap International and the International Campaign have continued their fight to see the treaty become universal (40 countries have not yet signed), and ensure that it is implemented and observed by the State parties[2], and that the international funds allocated to mine-clearance and mine victim assistance are increased.

_{[1] Human Rights Watch/Arms project (United States of America), Medico International (Germany), Mines Advisory Group (United Kingdom, Physicians for Human Rights (United States of America) et Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (United States of America).}

_{[2] State party: A state which has signed and ratified the treaty. Until March 1st 1999 date upon which the treaty came into force, adhesion to the treaty could take place over two stages: the signature and the ratification. The signature commits the government to pursuing adhesion but does not impose any legal ties.  The ratification is the next step in which the decision is validated by the legislative body and by which the State is officially bound by the treaty. Since March 1st 1999 the States must accede directly (signature and ratification) and cannot sign with the intention to ratify later.}

Visit the ICBL Web site for more information