Moves by several countries along the EU and NATO’s eastern flank to quit an international anti-landmine treaty have been branded a “devastating step backwards” by campaigners.
Finland announced on Wednesday that it would withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use and stockpiling of anti-personnel mines, following the example of Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
The countries involved say that the move is necessary due to a military threat from neighboring Russia. Measures to shore up and militarize the frontier, such as Poland’s East Shield initiative, continue.
Reacting to the Finnish government’s announcement, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines said the decision was “deeply troubling” and reversed “nearly three decades of global progress.”
Activists said that anti-personnel (AP) mines were “relics of a bygone era” that “kill and maim indiscriminately,” pointing out that 85% of mine victims were civilians and 40% were children, according to a 2024 monitoring report.
“Finland’s decision to leave the Mine Ban Treaty and use AP mines again is a devastating step backwards in global efforts to protect civilians from indiscriminate and inhumane weapons,” said Tamar Gabelnick, director of the ICBL.
“The Finnish people risk paying for this decision with their lives and limbs as they experience the long and painful legacy of landmine use on their land. We call on Finland to reverse this decision and once again recommit to never use AP mines again.”
In an essay to mark the International Day for Mine Action on April 4, Mary Wareham from Human Rights Watch said that the influence of Russia and the U.S.—neither of which have banned anti-personnel mines—was driving a change in attitudes toward such explosives.
The countries involved say that the move is necessary due to a military threat from neighboring Russia. Measures to shore up and militarize the frontier, such as Poland’s East Shield initiative, continue.
Reacting to the Finnish government’s announcement, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines said the decision was “deeply troubling” and reversed “nearly three decades of global progress.”
Activists said that anti-personnel (AP) mines were “relics of a bygone era” that “kill and maim indiscriminately,” pointing out that 85% of mine victims were civilians and 40% were children, according to a 2024 monitoring report.
“Finland’s decision to leave the Mine Ban Treaty and use AP mines again is a devastating step backwards in global efforts to protect civilians from indiscriminate and inhumane weapons,” said Tamar Gabelnick, director of the ICBL.
“The Finnish people risk paying for this decision with their lives and limbs as they experience the long and painful legacy of landmine use on their land. We call on Finland to reverse this decision and once again recommit to never use AP mines again.”
‘Changing attitudes’
In an essay to mark the International Day for Mine Action on April 4, Mary Wareham from Human Rights Watch said that the influence of Russia and the U.S.—neither of which have banned anti-personnel mines—was driving a change in attitudes toward such explosives.
Moscow has extensively used them in its invasion of Ukraine, Wareham said, and President Donald Trump’s cuts to U.S. foreign aid funding have led to demining programs elsewhere being put on hold.
Nonetheless, she argued that countries that plan to restore the use of mines – including Poland, which is planning to produce its own – should reconsider.
“The proposed treaty withdrawals raise the question of what other humanitarian disarmament treaties are at risk: chemical weapons? cluster munitions? The military utility of any weapon must be weighed against the expected humanitarian damage,” she wrote.
“To avoid further eroding humanitarian norms, Poland and the Baltic states should reject proposals to leave the Mine Ban Treaty. They should instead reaffirm their collective commitment to humanitarian norms aimed at safeguarding humanity in war.”
But the Polish government has said it had “no choice” but to withdraw from the convention due to a “very real and very serious threat” at its frontiers with Belarus and Russia. Finland said it was a “deterrent we need” but vowed to use mines “in a responsible way.”
Nonetheless, she argued that countries that plan to restore the use of mines – including Poland, which is planning to produce its own – should reconsider.
“The proposed treaty withdrawals raise the question of what other humanitarian disarmament treaties are at risk: chemical weapons? cluster munitions? The military utility of any weapon must be weighed against the expected humanitarian damage,” she wrote.
“To avoid further eroding humanitarian norms, Poland and the Baltic states should reject proposals to leave the Mine Ban Treaty. They should instead reaffirm their collective commitment to humanitarian norms aimed at safeguarding humanity in war.”
But the Polish government has said it had “no choice” but to withdraw from the convention due to a “very real and very serious threat” at its frontiers with Belarus and Russia. Finland said it was a “deterrent we need” but vowed to use mines “in a responsible way.”
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