Germany

In its initial transparency report submitted on 31 August 1999, Germany reported that it had stockpiled anti-personnel mines.

Notwithstanding the obligation to destroy all stockpiled anti-personnel mines, the Convention permits the retention of the minimum number of anti-personnel mines absolutely necessary for the development of and training in mine detection, mine clearance, or mine destruction techniques.

As of 2021, Germany reported having retained 543 mines for research and testing purposes, for training of mine and explosive ordnance detection dogs, vehicle mine protection programme, accident research and regular dog training.

In its initial transparency report submitted on 31 August 1999, Germany reported that it had completed the destruction of all stockpiled anti-personnel mines in 1997.

In total, Germany reported having destroyed 1,700,000 mines.

In June 2011 (i.e., after Germany’s original deadline to implement Article 5 had expired), Germany informed the Convention’s Standing Committee on Mine Clearance that it had discovered a previously unknown area under its jurisdiction suspected to contain anti-personnel  mines.

In 2012, in submitting updated information, as required by Article 7 of the Convention, on the location of all mined areas that contain or are suspected to contain anti-personnel mines under Germany’s jurisdiction or control, Germany formally reported the former military training area Wittstock in the north of the federal state of Brandenburg, as an area suspected to contain anti-personnel mines.

On 15 April 2013, Germany, in accordance with decisions of the Twelfth Meeting of the States Parties on the matter of previously unknown mined areas, submitted a request for a deadline to implement its Article 5 obligation.

On 6 November 2013, Germany withdrew its request as historical research, technical survey and clearance of sample areas did not confirm the suspicion of any anti-personnel mines in the former military training area.

Article 6 of the Convention indicates that “Each State Party in a position to do so shall provide assistance for mine clearance and related activities […], the care and rehabilitation, and social and economic reintegration, of mine victims and for mine awareness programs […], the destruction of stockpiled anti-personnel mines, […] with a view to ensuring the full and prompt implementation of agreed assistance programs.”

In this regard Germany routinely engages in such cooperation and assistance. The latest statement on Article 6 for this State Party can be found on this page.

Annually and no later than 30 April, each State Party is to update information covering the previous calendar year. The latest Article 7 reports for this State Party can be found on this page.

Each State Party is to take all appropriate legal, administrative and other measures, including the imposition of penal sanctions, to prevent and suppress any activity prohibited to a State Party under this Convention undertaken by persons or on territory under its jurisdiction or control.

Germany has reported having established national implementation measures or that it considers existing legislation to be sufficient.