International human rights law establishes the rights of persons, including those affected by mines and explosive remnants of war. Mines and explosive remnants of war can affect the exercise of a number of political, economic, social, civil and cultural rights, including the right to life and to personal integrity, freedom of movement, the right to food, the right to an adequate standard of living, the right to health care, and the right to education. Five of the core human rights treaties all contain relevant provisions in these areas.
The newest international human rights treaty is the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It was opened for signature on 30 March 2007 and is expected to come into force rapidly. The Convention has particular significance for mine action as it details the rights of survivors of mines and explosive remnants of war. While the Convention does not identify new rights, it provides guidance on how to ensure that persons with disabilities can exercise their existing rights without discrimination. It provides a solid legal framework for the provision of victim assistance to survivors of mines and explosive remnants of war.
For more information on the international human rights treaties and treaty bodies, visit the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) website
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
Convention on the Rights of Child
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
The Human Rights Database is a guide to the human rights obligations and reporting requirements of mine and explosive remnants of war-affected countries with UN-managed and supported mine action programmes. The database details by country the date of accession or ratification, where applicable, and the deadline for reporting to the treaty monitoring body for six of the core human rights treaties in force. The United Nations measures its progress in the integration of mine action needs into national plans and policies by the extent to which reports of relevant treaty monitoring bodies reflect compliance with the rights of affected persons.