History

AISP – Mines is an international solidarity and cooperation organisation founded in 2001. It is an NGO with general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Like AISP as a whole, it brings together civilians and military personnel who have served under the United Nations flag since 1948 within the framework of Security Council resolutions. A veritable pool of expertise at the disposal of the United Nations, our deminers have already been deployed in many countries, including Angola, Bosnia, Cambodia, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Pakistan.

In addition, the association’s members include individuals qualified in other areas of mine action, such as advocacy for a mine-free world, victim assistance in the broadest sense, and mine risk education.

The AISP is also part of the Cluster Munitions Coalition, which campaigns for a ban on cluster munitions.

AISP Mines operates in the areas of emergency response and development in mine action in its various components:

Awareness raising

  • Raising awareness among affected populations of the dangers of mines,
  • Creating and distributing awareness-raising materials,
  • Teaching basic survival and first aid skills in the event of an accident due to a mine or munition.

Mine clearance

  • Set up mine clearance teams or groups for specific, targeted interventions, which can also assess, evaluate, and even mark suspicious areas on behalf of international organisations.
  • Provide mine clearance training in affected countries, drawing on specialists from the AISP network (particularly the various sections of peacekeeper associations).

Assistance with stockpile destruction

Support states in their obligation to destroy stockpiles within the specified time frame.

Assistance to victims

  • Assist victims in those countries, particularly in areas such as first aid, the provision of medical equipment, the creation of first aid centres, and professional reintegration.
  • Using our experience with legislation on the recognition and care of war victims (civilian and military personnel) with disabilities, help enact national laws in affected countries and other international rules on this topic.
  • Raise awareness among affected countries and the public about caring for victims of mines and other war devices.

Advocacy or campaign activities

  • Participate in international conferences on this subject, particularly meetings of States Parties, and intersectional meetings on the Ottawa Convention and those relating to the CCW.
  • Participate in debates on developments concerning international rules applicable to mines other than anti-personnel mines (known as MAMAP or MOTAPM in English), UXO, submunitions, etc.
  • Raise public awareness in France and other countries where AISP is active about the consequences of anti-personnel mines in affected countries.
  • Raise funds to finance projects in various fields of mine action.

Missions

Since 2004, AISP Mines has been involved in various projects:

  • Launch of targeted socio-professional assistance projects for victims, particularly in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal.
  • Visit by the AISP to Ukraine (May 24-28, 2005).
  • Hosting, in partnership with Firefighters Without Borders, a delegation of Iraqi firefighters from Baghdad who are currently carrying out mine clearance operations with their bare hands. A project to train a professional team is currently being set up.
  • Participation in the Nairobi Summit for a Mine-Free World and a proposal to the United Nations for a status for deminers.
  • Mine clearance project in southern Lebanon following an agreement with the Lebanese army and government.