Ukraine Signals Possible Withdrawal from the Mine Ban Treaty – Norwegian People's Aid Warns of Severe Humanitarian Consequences
"Ukraine is currently one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, and it will take decades to clear the affected areas. Landmines not only cause immediate loss of life and injury, but also prevent reconstruction, food production, and the safe return of displaced families, says Aksel Steen-Nilsen", Head of Humanitarian Mine Action at Norwegian People’s Aid.
On June 29, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he had signed a decree proposing Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC). The proposal is now subject to review by the Ukrainian parliament.
According to Article 20 of the Convention, a withdrawal does not take effect until six months after formal notification to the United Nations. If a country is involved in an armed conflict at the end of that six-month period, withdrawal cannot take place until the conflict has ended.
"Ukraine argues that it needs every available means to defend itself against the Russian invasion. But landmines do not distinguish between soldiers and civilians. They remain long after fighting ends and can be triggered by children playing or farmers working their fields. Reintroducing anti-personnel mines now could mean a new generation of children losing their legs", Steen-Nilsen warns.
Established in Oslo in 1997, the Mine Ban Treaty has been instrumental in stopping the use of anti-personnel landmines and reducing their humanitarian impact. In 2023, 84 percent of landmine victims were civilians, and 37 percent were children.
Thanks to the global ban, the number of people killed and injured by landmines each year has dropped by more than 75% since the late 1990s.
Norwegian People's Aid urges Ukraine and other countries considering withdrawal to reverse course. Anti-personnel mines do not stop invasions or win wars — they cause suffering that lasts for generations.
"Security must be based on reality, not illusion. There is a reason why more than 160 countries have joined the ban. Now is the time for action. Norwegian People’s Aid calls on all States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty to stand with civil society to protect and strengthen the Convention – and to prevent a dangerous rollback of the global landmine ban", Steen-Nilsen concludes.
