Ottawa Convention

Source: IE

Context: Several European nations including Poland, Finland, and the Baltic States have announced plans to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, citing rising security threats from Russia.

About Ottawa Convention:

• What is the Ottawa Convention?

• Officially called the Mine Ban Treaty, it is a legally binding international agreement to eliminate anti-personnel landmines. It prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of such mines. Includes provisions for victim assistance, mine clearance, and international cooperation.

• Officially called the Mine Ban Treaty, it is a legally binding international agreement to eliminate anti-personnel landmines.

• It prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of such mines.

• Includes provisions for victim assistance, mine clearance, and international cooperation.

• Adopted: December 1997, Effective from: March 1999

• Signatories: 164 countries (as of 2024)

• Not Members: India, US, Russia, China, Israel India cites security concerns due to porous borders and ongoing insurgencies.

• India cites security concerns due to porous borders and ongoing insurgencies.

• Objective of the Treaty:

• To end the human suffering caused by anti-personnel mines. To prevent civilian casualties, especially after conflicts end. To assist in rehabilitating victims and restoring mined land for civilian use.

• To end the human suffering caused by anti-personnel mines.

• To prevent civilian casualties, especially after conflicts end.

• To assist in rehabilitating victims and restoring mined land for civilian use.

• Countries Now Quitting the Treaty:

• Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia have initiated withdrawal in 2025. Norway remains committed to the treaty despite regional tensions. These countries argue they need landmines as a deterrent against potential Russian aggression.

• Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia have initiated withdrawal in 2025.

• Norway remains committed to the treaty despite regional tensions.

• These countries argue they need landmines as a deterrent against potential Russian aggression.