Ideological and analytical foundations of mine action: human rights and community impact

This article suggests that the ideological and analytical foundations and steering mechanisms of mine action are at present less than adequate, resulting in failure to optimise impact and efficiency. The article will provide a review of the current drifting ideological basis of mine action and will present the argument for the incorporation and adoption of a rights-based approach. It will also discuss the urgent and continuing need to prioritise mine action through an increased level of community participation and more rigorous impact measurement, while highlighting the limitations of using socioeconomic analysis as the basis for operations and decision making.