We recognise that there are no easy decisions when states are forced to face the terrible reality of war or even the threat of armed aggression.
So we acknowledge the extremely difficult situations faced by Ukraine and, to a different degree, others such as the Baltic states. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, acting with complete disregard for the most fundamental rules of international law, represents an existential threat and we reaffirm our solidarity with Ukraine and its people during these difficult times.
But we believe – and have consistently said – that International Humanitarian Law (IHL), including the Ottawa Convention, is designed precisely for times like these. Staying in the Ottawa Convention strengthens the international legal architecture which the global population relies on for common security.
Leaving would further undermine that framework and play into the hands precisely of those malign actors who have long worked to undermine shared protections and who ignore international law.
For decades, military and humanitarian experts alike have agreed that landmines are so dangerous for civilians that the only good choice is never to use them, preventing any form of presence of these weapons during and after active hostilities. In more than 30 years of work, organisations such as MAG have witnessed the human cost of landmines, both at the time of their use and long after the end of hostilities.
There is no better way to prevent the harm, danger, and fear caused by anti-personnel mines than abiding by all the provisions of the Ottawa Convention. This is a position supported by data that demonstrates the effectiveness of the norms of the Convention, which has reduced casualties from landmines from 25,000 per year before its adoption to less than 1,000 in 2012, a reduction of 95% in less than 15 years.
Before the Ottawa Convention, it was estimated that 2.5 million landmines were laid every year, with only 80,000 of them cleared every year. The Ottawa Convention created a system and procedures to eliminate the large-scale laying of landmines and to increase the rate of clearance and the international support for it. With its prohibitions on transfer and production, among others, the Ottawa Convention has also almost completely eliminated both the production and trading of anti-personnel mines.
MAG took part in the Ottawa Process, advocating for and supporting the negotiations and adoption of the Ottawa Convention, along with the other founding members of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, with the intention of saving succeeding generations from the scourge of landmines, which have repeatedly brought untold sorrow to millions of people worldwide.
Our commitment to this cause remains steadfast today and we will continue to do everything we can to alleviate the impact of landmines and explosive ordnance in Ukraine and elsewhere in the world.
