Why Countries Are Reconsidering the Ottawa Convention and What It Means for Civilians

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As conflicts around the world become more complex and intense, a group of countries—Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine—are either stepping back or seriously considering pulling out of the Ottawa Convention. This treaty, signed in 1997, was a huge global step forward in banning anti-personnel landmines and protecting civilians from their lasting harm.

But now, decades later, the very countries once committed to ending the use of these dangerous weapons seem to be rethinking their position. The Ottawa Convention, named after the Canadian city where it all began, was designed to limit the horror of landmines, especially those that remain deadly long after wars have ended.

Landmines Don’t Discriminate: A Hidden War on Civilians

Anti-personnel mines are designed to target people, not vehicles. But the tragic reality is they don’t know the difference between a soldier and a schoolchild. They can lie buried and forgotten for years—until someone unknowingly steps on one. That's what makes them particularly terrifying: they're not just weapons of war; they’re time bombs in peace.

“These weapons risk causing persistent and long-term, serious harm to civilians, including children,” said Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. He added, “Like other international humanitarian law treaties, the Ottawa Convention was principally designed to govern the conduct of parties to armed conflicts.”

What’s even more alarming is that farmland, backyards, and even playgrounds become part of this hidden battlefield. Once land is mined, it becomes toxic for generations—preventing communities from rebuilding, growing food, or even just playing safely outside.

The Ottawa Convention: A Global Agreement at Risk

Back in 1997, countries came together to say “enough is enough.” The Ottawa Convention banned the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Since then, 166 countries have signed on, and that helped dramatically reduce their use worldwide. For years, things were looking up.

But now, those positive trends are reversing. In 2024, casualties caused by landmines surged by 22%. Even worse, 85% of those injured or killed were civilians—half of them children. Those numbers are not just statistics; they’re shattered families and lost futures.

The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) estimates that more than 20% of Ukraine’s land—about 139,000 square kilometers—is contaminated with landmines. That’s a massive area where people can’t safely walk, farm, or rebuild. In Cambodia, landmines remain a daily threat even decades after the fighting has stopped, despite relentless de-mining efforts.

Reversing Commitments, Undermining Humanity

So why are these countries pulling out? Some say it’s because of national security concerns. Others are reacting to current military threats. But Volker Türk warns that using conflict as a reason to leave international treaties like the Ottawa Convention sets a dangerous precedent.

“Adhering to them in times of peace only to withdraw from them in times of war or for newly invoked national security considerations seriously undermines the framework of international humanitarian law,” he stated.

The idea is simple: these treaties exist to keep some level of humanity during war. Walking away from them when they’re most needed sends the message that humanitarian law is optional—which it shouldn’t be.

Upholding the Law and Protecting the Future

Despite the setbacks, the call from the United Nations remains clear. Mr. Türk is urging all signatories to stick to their commitments and for non-signatories to join the global effort. “With so many civilians suffering from the use of anti-personnel mines, I call on all States to refrain from leaving any international humanitarian law treaty, and to immediately suspend any withdrawal process that may be underway.”

More than 100 million people across 60 countries are still at risk because of landmines. These weapons don’t just end lives—they freeze entire communities in fear. When countries walk away from disarmament treaties, they're not just making political decisions. They're putting lives on the line.

In the end, landmines don’t care about borders or treaties. But people do. And if we want a safer, more humane world, sticking to agreements like the Ottawa Convention isn’t just a legal responsibility—it’s a moral one. When peace is buried under the soil, we must be brave enough to dig it out.