Geneva — The President of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (Ottawa Convention), the Permanent Representative of Zambia to the United Nations in Geneva H.E. Eunice M. Tembo Luambia, has issued a statement regarding recent reports that a former State Party, having withdrawn from the Convention, may produce and deploy anti‑personnel mines along its borders. 

Poland’s announcement (link: euronews.com), follows its formal 20 February exit from the Convention, a treaty that for nearly three decades has embodied global humanitarian consensus against an insidious weapon. In response, the Convention President stated:

“We note with regret this decision. The production and use of anti‑personnel mines, could potentially reverse nearly three decades of collective humanitarian progress under the Ottawa Convention. As State Party, Poland was a committed member of this community and served for many years on the Convention’s Coordinating Committee contributing to global efforts to protect civilians from the indiscriminate harm these weapons cause. This would be an unfortunate reversal.” 

The President underscored that although a number of European States exited the Convention (Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland), the core humanitarian objectives remain unchanged and their exit has been counterbalanced by new ratifications and continued engagement from States committed to the Convention’s humanitarian aims.

“We recognise the security challenges faced by all nations – even those confronting improvised anti-personnel mines deployed by non-state actors which remain steady against these weapons. This demonstrates the enduring strength of the humanitarian norms that underpin the Convention, even in times of armed conflict.

Further, we welcome the Convention’s positive developments, such as Croatia’s and Oman’s completion of their clearance obligations, which show that sustained commitment, political will, and international cooperation can achieve the ultimate humanitarian goal: the elimination of anti-personnel mines and the protection of civilians. We are thankful that the global community continues to prioritise clearance, risk education, victim assistance, and cooperation among States; and, that the majority adhere to the norm, protecting civilians even in challenging contexts and advancing the shared goal of a mine-free world.”

Editorial note: The Convention was adopted in Oslo and signed in Ottawa in 1997, and entered into force twenty-seven years ago, on 1 March 1999. It is the prime humanitarian and disarmament treaty aimed at ending the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel mines by prohibiting their use, stockpiling, production, and transfer, ensuring their destruction, and assisting victims. Together, the States Parties have destroyed over 53 million anti-personnel mines. Implementation of the treaty has contributed to peace and development by making billions of square meters of land safe again for human activity and providing support to those that have fallen victim to the weapon.