The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, issued a sharp rebuke on Monday, denouncing the “renewed threat” posed by anti-personnel landmines. This condemnation comes just days after the United States announced its decision to provide these weapons to Ukrainian forces engaged in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Guterres’ statement, delivered to a conference in Cambodia reviewing progress on the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty, highlighted the significant global efforts dedicated to clearing and destroying these deadly devices. He acknowledged the progress made in mine clearance worldwide, but stressed the persistent and evolving danger.
The UN chief’s message directly addressed the concerning resurgence of anti-personnel mine usage by some treaty signatories, alongside the failure of others to fulfill their commitments to destroy existing stockpiles. He issued a direct call to action for the 164 signatory nations – a list notably excluding both Russia and the United States – urging them to adhere to their treaty obligations and ensure full compliance with the Convention. The statement, delivered by UN Under-Secretary General Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, has prompted questions regarding its specific targeting of Ukraine, given the recent US decision. While the Ukrainian delegation at the Cambodian conference has yet to respond to inquiries about the US landmine supply, the announcement has already drawn considerable criticism from human rights organizations.
The US decision to provide anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine, particularly amidst a transition in presidential administration, has sparked intense debate. The outgoing administration’s rationale centers on bolstering Ukraine’s defensive capabilities before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, defended the move, characterizing the landmines as crucial for halting Russian attacks. The Cambodian setting of the conference holds profound significance. Cambodia, ravaged by decades of civil war, remains one of the most heavily mined countries globally. Prime Minister Hun Manet underscored the ongoing challenge, revealing that over 1,600 square kilometers of Cambodian land remain contaminated, impacting the lives of over one million people. The devastating legacy of landmines in Cambodia is stark: approximately 20,000 fatalities and twice that number of injuries have been attributed to landmines and unexploded ordnance since 1979.
The gravity of the global landmine crisis is further emphasized by data from the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). Their report reveals that at least 5,757 individuals fell victim to landmines and explosive remnants of war last year, with a tragic toll of 1,983 deaths. A deeply disturbing 84 percent of these casualties were civilians, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of these weapons and the urgent need for renewed international commitment to their eradication. The UN’s condemnation, therefore, serves as a crucial reminder of the devastating humanitarian consequences of landmines and the imperative for global cooperation in addressing this persistent threat.
