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Türkiye

Türkiye acceded to the Convention on 25 September 2003, and the Convention entered into force for Türkiye on 1 March 2004. 

Obligations under the Convention

In its initial transparency report submitted on 1 October 2004, Türkiye reported stockpiled anti-personnel mines under its ownership or possession or under its jurisdiction or control.

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 2018, Türkiye had reported having retained 9,303 anti-personnel mines for these permitted purposes. Türkiye indicated that it plans to use a minimum of 700 anti-personal mines for mine clearance training along the Syrian border. They were also used during the Partnership for Peace Training Centre Mine and for EOD courses.

In its initial transparency report submitted on 1 October 2004, Türkiye reported stockpiled anti-personnel mines under its ownership or possession or under its jurisdiction or control.

At the Eleventh Meeting of the States Parties, Türkiye reported that it had completed the destruction of all stockpiled anti-personnel mines. In total, Turkey reported having destroyed nearly 3 million landmines.

In its initial transparency report Türkiye indicated that there were areas under its jurisdiction or control in which anti-personnel mines are known or suspected to be emplaced. 

In accordance with Article 5 of the Convention, Türkiye undertook to destroy or ensure the destruction of all anti-personnel mines in these areas as soon as possible but not later than 1 March 2014.

On 28 March 2013 Türkiye submitted a request to extend its mine clearance deadline. The request was granted at the Thirteenth Meeting of the States Parties and a new deadline was set for 1 March 2022.

On 17 March 2015, Türkiye acted upon the decisions of the Thirteenth Meeting of the States Parties by submitting an updated work plan for the implementation of Article 5 of the Convention.

On 26 March 2021, Türkiye submitted a second request to extend its mine clearance deadline. The request was granted by the Nineteenth Meeting of the States Parties in November 2021, and a new deadline was set for 31 December 2025.

On 2 May 2023, Türkiye acted upon the decisions of the Nineteenth Meeting of the States Parties by submitting an updated work plan for the implementation of Article 5 of the Convention.

Extension Request Process

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

Türkiye has undertaken to provide for the care and assistance of mine victims.

Türkiye is also a State Party to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

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 further below.

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.

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

Türkiye announces it has destroyed its anti-personnel mines stockpiles

(2011) At the Eleventh Meeting of the States Parties in Phnom Penh, Serhan YIGIT of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Türkiye had completed its stockpile destruction fulfilling its Article 4 obligation.

Press Release |  English  

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