Anti-landmine advocates urge Canada to try keeping Ukraine, others in Ottawa Treaty
CANADA, JUL 2 – Five NATO eastern members and Finland cite Russia's threat and security needs in withdrawing from the Ottawa Treaty, despite the treaty's role in reducing civilian landmine injuries by 22% last year.
- Five NATO countries, including Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, are preparing to withdraw from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention due to security concerns regarding Russia's use of landmines.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree to withdraw Ukraine from the treaty on June 29, despite the treaty's restrictions during armed conflict.
- Countries cite escalating security threats from Russia, as well as the use of landmines without being a treaty member, as a reason for their actions, according to Global Affairs Canada.
- Canada continues to advocate for the Ottawa Treaty, emphasizing its humanitarian impact on civilian safety.
46 Articles
46 Articles
Ottawa Treaty: why are Russia's neighbours leaving anti-landmine agreement?
"The war ends. The landmine goes on killing," said Jody Williams, who led the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, in her 1997 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.The Ottawa Treaty signed that year banned the use of anti-personnel landmines as well as the ability to "develop, produce, otherwise acquire, stockpile, retain or transfer to anyone, directly or indirectly, anti-personnel mines". It has since been ratified by 160 countries, but not…
Finnish President Alexander Stubb signed his country's law on withdrawal from the International Convention banning the use of anti-personnel mines yesterday, calling for a threat to safety from Russia.
According to Stubb, the decision is based on the needs of Finnish defense in a weakened security situation.
After the NATO states on the eastern flank, Kiev also wants to withdraw from the Anti-personnel Mines Agreement. President Selenskyy considers this to be no alternative. The potential dangers are high, the military advantages large. A pass in the treaty contains explosive power.
Canadian activists urge Ottawa to protect a 1997 treaty negotiated by Canada to end the use of anti-personnel mines, while six countries on Europe's eastern flank are moving towards the use of these explosive weapons.
UN voices concern about Lithuania, several other countries leaving landmine ban treaty
The United Nations (UN) human rights chief has expressed serious concern over the decision by several countries, including Lithuania, to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention prohibiting the use, stockpiling and production of anti-personnel mines.
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