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On the occasion, she appraised the Prime Minister of the growing treat of landmines in the country fulled by the seven-year-ling armed conflict launched by the CPN Maoist. According to the NCBL report 2002, a total of 720 people have been fallen victims to landmines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other explosives since January to December 2002, of the total victims 202 have died in such explosions. The delegation requested the Prime Minister to sign the Mine Ban Treaty in order to put an end to the use of lethal weapon. Both the Royal Nepal Army and the Maoists have been using landmines and they have been victimizing the common people more than the combatants. Due to rising number of wounded people and fund crunch, it has been very difficult for the hospitals to treat the mine victims although they are doing best on their part. The delegation also demanded with the Prime Minister to make Nepal's position clear regarding the complete ban on landmines and also told the Prime Minister that if Nepal signs Mine Ban Treaty, Article 6.3 of Mine Ban Treaty, which is concerned on victim assistance can be activated. NCBL delegation requested Prime Minister Thapa to send high level delegation to take part in the Fifth Meeting of State Parties scheduled to be held from September 15-18 in Bangkok, Thailand. The delegation also demanded to raise the issue of total ban on landmines in coming third round peace dialogue between the government and the Maoists. Prime Minster Thapa said that he would consider the issue raised by NCBL and take stock of Nepal's positions on the matter. Thanking the delegation for providing information, Prime Minister Thapa said that he would acquire information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the matter. Till May 2003, 147 nations have signed the Mine Ban Treaty and 134 countries have ratified it. Established in 1995, NCBL is the only non-government organization working for the complete ban on production, use, transfer and stockpiling of landmines in Nepal. |
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