Alarm raised by withdrawals from anti-personnel mine treaty

Human Rights Research Center
Jul 10
3 min read

July 10. 2025

HRRC is deeply concerned with the potential withdrawal of six countries from the Ottawa Convention. Anti-personnel mines present a severe risk to the life of millions of civilians around the world, and now should be the time in which their use is reduced, not expanded.

Lithuania and Finland plan to produce mines for Ukraine [Image credit: Getty Images/© RBC-Ukraine (CA)]

The prospect of six countries removing themselves from a ban on anti-personnel mines has raised serious concerns specifically with the United Nations (UN) human rights chief, Volker Türk The Ottawa Convention came into force in 1999 with 160 states agreeing on the primary commitment to ban the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel mines.

Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine are the six states who are believed to be seriously considering withdrawing from the convention. In the past week, Lithuania has gone as far as to put forward a formal notice of withdrawal, citing ongoing security issues. In justification for this measure, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Kęstutis Budrys stated that his country should be allowed to defend themselves using any available means.

To counteract Russia’s use of anti-personnel mines, it is believed that Ukraine, despite being part of the original treaty, has also engaged in their usage. All six countries pushing for withdrawal share a border with Russia, and this has been seen as the foremost catalyst behind their desire to be allowed to use mines.

Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights was strong in his assertion that anti-personnel mines are a great danger to civilians, including children. This type of mine is triggered automatically and is therefore the cause of a massive number of civilian deaths. Additionally, the fact that this type of weapon cannot distinguish between a soldier and a civilian makes it unlawfully discriminate under international humanitarian law.

The horrific impact that anti-personnel mines cause will often last long after a conflict has ended. As things stand it is believed that 100 million people throughout 60 countries live where landmines present a very real danger. Recent surveys of Ukraine by the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) suggest that more than 20% of the land is contaminated, and the long term threat of these mines must not be underestimated.

This threat to civilians is one that continues to grow, and individual countries need to seriously consider the fact that their withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention will have a long-lasting impact on their country.

Glossary

Anti-personnel mines – Small explosive devices designed to injure or kill people, often hidden in the ground.
Assertion – A strong statement or claim that something is true.
Contaminated – Made dirty, dangerous, or unsafe by chemicals, waste, or other harmful materials.
Humanitarian law- A set of international rules that protect people who are not fighting in a war, such as civilians, medical workers, and aid workers, and limit how wars are fought.
Human rights chief – A top official who oversees and protects people's basic rights and freedoms (often refers to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights).
Impact – The effect or result of something, especially a strong or powerful one.
Justification – A reason or explanation for why something is done or believed to be right.
Notice of withdrawal – An official message or document saying a country plans to leave an agreement or treaty.
Ottawa Convention – An international agreement that bans the use, making, and storing of anti-personnel landmines.
Stockpiling – Collecting and keeping a large supply of something, usually for future use.
Triggered – Caused to start or set off, often suddenly (like how a mine explodes when stepped on).
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights – The head of the United Nations office responsible for promoting and protecting human rights around the world.
UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) – A part of the United Nations that works to reduce the threat of landmines and explosive weapons around the world. UNMAS clears mines, teaches people how to stay safe, helps victims, and supports countries affected by war to rebuild safely.
Withdrawing – Leaving or pulling out from an agreement, situation, or place.

Sources

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Alarm raised by withdrawals from anti-personnel mine treaty

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