ANROLM Calls states to join and fully implement MBT & CCM, In order to fully achieve the eight MDGs,

     (Damascus, 3 December 2010)- The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December aims to promote a better understanding of disability aspects with focus on the rights of persons with disabilities and gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in all aspects of the political, economic, social and cultural life of their societies. The UN theme for this year  is "Keeping the promise:

  Mainstreaming disability in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) towards 2015 and beyond"Millions of people in more than 70  countries are  affected by landmines, cluster bombs as well as others Explosive Remnants of War (ERW), that have been for many years an important cause of human sufferings, serious obstacles to sustainable  socio- economic development, and negatively impact on progress in the achievement of MDGs including the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, achievement of universal primary education, promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women, reduction of child mortality, Improvement of maternal health, and others.

Full implementation of Mine Ban Treaty and Convention on Cluster Munitions  including the ban of these indiscriminate weapons, clearance of affected areas as well as supporting survivors and local communities will help create enabling environment for development in general and to achieve the eight MDGs in 2015 and beyond. 

Governments are also called to enable landmine and cluster bomb survivors as well as the representatives of ERW affected communities to have a crucial and meaningful role to play in all the stages of the development cycle including planning, implementation, monitoring as well as evaluation and follow up at their local and national levels. 

Dr. Ghassan Shahrour, Coordinator, Arab Net for Research on LM & ERW, ANROLM, [email protected]

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