Organizations are calling for decisive action against the withdrawal of several states from humanitarian disarmament treaties.
Today, civil society organizations, many of which work in war and conflict zones, are protesting in front of the Brandenburg Gate against states withdrawing from treaties banning anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions and for a universal ban on these weapons.
September 18th marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. The convention is considered a milestone in humanitarian disarmament and has been signed by over 160 states, including Germany.
The same applies to the Oslo Convention on the Prohibition of Cluster Munitions, which has over 120 signatory states. Cluster munitions disperse up to several hundred explosive devices over a wide area, many of which fail to detonate and then act like landmines.
Both international treaties reflect the understanding of an overwhelming majority of countries that these weapons do not create security, but rather lasting suffering. Anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions are outlawed under international law because they are indiscriminate and around 85 percent of their victims are civilians, including many children.
Europe is now facing a major setback: In response to Russia's use of anti-personnel mines in its illegal war against Ukraine, several countries bordering the Russian Federation or Belarus—Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, and Poland—have declared their withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention. Ukraine has suspended its implementation. Lithuania has also already withdrawn from the Oslo Convention.
“The planned withdrawal of several European states from the ban on anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions is a fatal step backwards and a danger to the civilian population in conflict zones – not only during hostilities, but also for decades afterward,” warns Ralf Willinger, expert on children in armed conflict and peace culture at the children’s rights organization Terre des Hommes . “Around 40 percent of the victims of mines and cluster munitions are children, who often innocently play with them and are then killed or maimed. The two treaties banning these insidious weapons are milestones of international law that have already saved countless lives.”
“Since the Ottawa Convention entered into force in 1999, a total of 30 states parties have completed the clearance of all anti-personnel mines in their territory. In many affected countries, we see how living space is being reclaimed every day. This life-saving convention is the foundation for such progress and must not be weakened,” emphasizes Eva Maria Fischer of Handicap International Germany.
Germany's role is also drawing criticism. Despite its central involvement in the creation of both conventions, the German government is refraining from publicly criticizing the announced withdrawals of its European partners. "Those who remain silent now risk jeopardizing decades of success in humanitarian disarmament," warns Yannick Kiesel, peace policy advisor for the German Peace Society – United War Resisters (DFG-VK). "Germany must be significantly more active in advocating for compliance with and universalization of these treaties – also to prevent double standards within the EU."
The demands:
- All European states must remain in the life-saving treaties banning anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions.
- Germany must use its diplomatic voice and political influence to prevent states from withdrawing and to gain further signatories.
- Humanitarian disarmament efforts must be strengthened worldwide, not weakened.
“Security is not created by anti-personnel mines or cluster munitions, but by their prohibition,” emphasizes Mathias John, arms expert at Amnesty International Germany. “Only a universal ban can prevent these deadly weapons from being used again on a widespread basis and threatening human rights.”