As we pointed out in the previous issue of this Bulletin, uncleared anti-personnel landmines kill or injure tens of thousands of civilians every year. T h e long-term adverse effects of landmines are reflected in, among others, human rights, development~I~ socio-economic, refugee and displaced persons, social justice, peace and environmental issues. As with chemical and biological weapons, public rejection of landmines as an acceptable method of warfare is vital to achieve effective controls and an eventual ban.
Mines Action Canada is a coalition of about 50 Canadian NGOs working on the landmines issue. Science for Peace is a member organization, but we have played no active role whatsoever, though in early July there was a U.N. Meeting on Mine Clearance in Geneva, and there will be another opportunity for NGO participation in the upcoming review conference on the 1980 *Convention on Prohibition [of Landmines] to be held also in Geneva in September 1995.
In order to speak on behalf of Science for Peace on this issue -you will need little expertise but some energy and initiative. We should really have a Working Group on Landmines, but in the first instance we need only one Member willing to take this responsibility.
Contact: e-mail: tdavis@trentu.ca Fax: (416) 978-7606
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