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The Guardian view on the return of landmines: a deadly peril resurges The Guardian view on the return of landmines: a deadly peril resurges
(about 7 hours later)
Russia’s military threat and the junta’s war in Myanmar have undermined the international treaty against themRussia’s military threat and the junta’s war in Myanmar have undermined the international treaty against them
Eleven years ago, members of the Ottawa treaty banning the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of antipersonnel mines agreed a deadline for completing their obligations: 2025.Eleven years ago, members of the Ottawa treaty banning the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of antipersonnel mines agreed a deadline for completing their obligations: 2025.
The ambitious timeline reflected the immense progress made since the pact was signed in 1997. Back then, 25,000 people were killed or injured each year by landmines; by 2013, that number had fallen to 3,300. Tens of millions of mines have been destroyed, and by last year, 164 countries had committed themselves to the agreement.The ambitious timeline reflected the immense progress made since the pact was signed in 1997. Back then, 25,000 people were killed or injured each year by landmines; by 2013, that number had fallen to 3,300. Tens of millions of mines have been destroyed, and by last year, 164 countries had committed themselves to the agreement.
Progress, however, has now gone into sharp reverse. In October 2024, the United Nations reported that Ukraine had become the most mined country in the world after the invasion by Russia, which is not a party to the Ottawa treaty; both sides have used the devices. Deaths and injuries in 2023 rose to 5,700 globally, many in Myanmar, another non-signatory, as well as in Ukraine.Progress, however, has now gone into sharp reverse. In October 2024, the United Nations reported that Ukraine had become the most mined country in the world after the invasion by Russia, which is not a party to the Ottawa treaty; both sides have used the devices. Deaths and injuries in 2023 rose to 5,700 globally, many in Myanmar, another non-signatory, as well as in Ukraine.
Human Rights Watch warned that the use of mines by Myanmar’s junta and by Moscow was threatening the effectiveness of the agreement. It has, unfortunately, been proved right. This week, Finland announced that it would leave the treaty – joining Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. All blame the military threat from Russia.Human Rights Watch warned that the use of mines by Myanmar’s junta and by Moscow was threatening the effectiveness of the agreement. It has, unfortunately, been proved right. This week, Finland announced that it would leave the treaty – joining Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. All blame the military threat from Russia.
Their thinking is understandable. Finland’s border with Russia is about 800 miles long. The Baltic states are small, and relatively isolated, geographically, from other Nato members. Moscow uses landmines with far less care and discrimination than these countries would be likely to, if required to defend themselves against it. Without a reliable US security guarantee, and given the time it will take for Europe to replace that US role, these states see themselves as having little choice. There can be no such justification for the UK to leave, as the former Conservative defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace and others have advocated.Their thinking is understandable. Finland’s border with Russia is about 800 miles long. The Baltic states are small, and relatively isolated, geographically, from other Nato members. Moscow uses landmines with far less care and discrimination than these countries would be likely to, if required to defend themselves against it. Without a reliable US security guarantee, and given the time it will take for Europe to replace that US role, these states see themselves as having little choice. There can be no such justification for the UK to leave, as the former Conservative defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace and others have advocated.
While modern landmines – such as those given by the US to Ukraine last year – can come with self-destruct mechanisms, campaigners say their efficacy cannot be guaranteed, and that they are more costly, so less used. Overall, it is clear that because mines are intended to be hidden, and to detonate automatically, they take a toll long after conflicts have ended. Four-fifths of landmine victims are civilians, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross; about half of those are children. Alarmingly, the threat of proliferation comes as mine-clearance projects globally have been halted due to the axing of US funding by the Trump administration in January, though the state department says it has resumed some programmes.While modern landmines – such as those given by the US to Ukraine last year – can come with self-destruct mechanisms, campaigners say their efficacy cannot be guaranteed, and that they are more costly, so less used. Overall, it is clear that because mines are intended to be hidden, and to detonate automatically, they take a toll long after conflicts have ended. Four-fifths of landmine victims are civilians, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross; about half of those are children. Alarmingly, the threat of proliferation comes as mine-clearance projects globally have been halted due to the axing of US funding by the Trump administration in January, though the state department says it has resumed some programmes.
Norway, which also shares a border with Russia, is to be applauded for restating its commitment to the Ottawa treaty. As its foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide, warned, the danger is that the stigma of landmine use is being weakened, encouraging warring factions to resume it. As alarming as the current regression is, it must not be seen as evidence that the pact was an act of naive optimism to be jettisoned by countries now facing a harsh reality. Rather, with more than 100 million active landmines still buried worldwide, and more being added daily, it is evidence for the necessity of the agreement, and the importance of championing it.Norway, which also shares a border with Russia, is to be applauded for restating its commitment to the Ottawa treaty. As its foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide, warned, the danger is that the stigma of landmine use is being weakened, encouraging warring factions to resume it. As alarming as the current regression is, it must not be seen as evidence that the pact was an act of naive optimism to be jettisoned by countries now facing a harsh reality. Rather, with more than 100 million active landmines still buried worldwide, and more being added daily, it is evidence for the necessity of the agreement, and the importance of championing it.
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