Lynn Bradach involved in an advocacy tour in Luxembourg, Brussels and Paris, from 19th to 24th September 2011

© Jérôme Bobin - from left to right: Martin Lagneau, Director HILUX, Lynn Bradach, Ban Advocate, Pierre Delandmeter, President of the executive committee HILUX and Laurent Mosar, President of the Deputy Chamber

© Jérôme Bobin - press conference

After being involved in the Second Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, in Lebanon from the 12th till 16th September, Lynn Bradach, a Ban Advocate from the United States of America, was actively involved in an advocacy tour in European cities of Luxembourg, Brussels and Paris, from the 19th till 24th of September.

Luxembourg

After Raed Mokaled in 2008 and Phet Latxabout in 2010, Lynn is the third Ban Advocate to come to Luxembourg. In Luxembourg, together with other young Luxembourg campaigners, Lynn was welcomed by the President of the Deputy Chamber, Mr. Laurent Mosar. The purpose of the meeting was to raise awareness of the dangers of cluster munitions and to recall  the need for victim assistance in affected countries.  Lynn also had the opportunity to share her story at a press conference. This was the occasion to call on civil society and the Luxembourg government to pursue exemplary processes in terms of banning cluster munitions.

Brussels

In Brussels, Lynn met  with delegates from the Belgium Ministry of the Foreign Affairs, who are very committed to cooperate with and involve victims in the political discussions. Several meetings have been already organized in order for delegates to meet with Ban Advocates. As being one of the main donors of the Ban Advocates project, the Belgium MFA is keen to involve more victims in the promotion of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Lynn also had the opportunity in Brussels to meet and discuss with Advisors in the Senate and the House of Representatives. Before leaving Brussels, Lynn met the Ambassador of the United States of America based in Brussels, to raise awareness of the need for her own country to show a political will tojoin the Mine Ban Treaty.

Paris

In Paris, on Friday 23rd September, Lynn met and spoke with high level representatives.  Mrs. Christiane Taubira, a famous French Deputy was one of these representatives . At a lunch event, Lynn also spoke  with a member of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs; a member of the French Agency for the Development and a member of Amnesty International. Lynn also did an interview with AFP and France Culture.

Lynn was involved in Paris on 24th September into the 17th Pyramids of Shoes organized by Handicap International against landmines and cluster munitions. This event aims to show solidarity for the victims of those weapons, as well as to remind States of their responsibilities. At this occasion, Lynn delivered a speech which moved the audience.