Original IN THE FIELD
When it came to raising awareness, Diana always made concrete steps. This was never more apparent that when she went to the minefields. Civilians are some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in a time of conflict, and I think that’s why she did it: she liked to fight for the plight of those who were suffering or defenceless.
During her lifetime Diana campaigned endlessly against the use of landmines. By walking through the minefield in Angola in 1997 she drew the world’s attention to the humanitarian harm they cause and the organisations trying to help.
Before Diana’s involvement, the message wasn’t getting through. Suddenly the general public realised a problem existed – and that something could be done about it.
After the images of Diana appeared in the press, the politicians who had been dithering about signing the Ottawa Treaty, which proposed an international ban on the use of landmines, realised they couldn’t wriggle out of it.
By walking through that minefield Diana raised the profile of an issue that ordinary people, civil society, NGOs and pressure groups had been working on for five years. She stepped in at a key moment and played a hugely important role in inspiring governments to get involved in the fight.
In a sense, something good came out of Diana’s death, as it gave governments the impetus needed to sign the treaty and ensured no countries backed out.
Ten years on, 153 nations have signed the Ottawa Treaty, and landmines have been stigmatised, helping to prevent their use by unscrupulous nations.
The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund has constantly devoted money towards anti-landmine work. Today, the fund is involved with the Oslo Process, which will hopefully ban cluster munitions worldwide within the next 18 months.
During her lifetime Diana campaigned endlessly against the use of landmines. By walking through the minefield in Angola in 1997 she drew the world’s attention to the humanitarian harm they cause and the organisations trying to help.
Before Diana’s involvement, the message wasn’t getting through. Suddenly the general public realised a problem existed – and that something could be done about it.
After the images of Diana appeared in the press, the politicians who had been dithering about signing the Ottawa Treaty, which proposed an international ban on the use of landmines, realised they couldn’t wriggle out of it.
By walking through that minefield Diana raised the profile of an issue that ordinary people, civil society, NGOs and pressure groups had been working on for five years. She stepped in at a key moment and played a hugely important role in inspiring governments to get involved in the fight.
In a sense, something good came out of Diana’s death, as it gave governments the impetus needed to sign the treaty and ensured no countries backed out.
Ten years on, 153 nations have signed the Ottawa Treaty, and landmines have been stigmatised, helping to prevent their use by unscrupulous nations.
The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund has constantly devoted money towards anti-
Simon Conway, director of Landmine Action and co-chair of the Cluster Munitions Coalition, reviews the tremendous steps Diana took to abolish landmines
