Approach:

Introduction: Define the Ottawa Convention and its purpose.
Body:
a. Explain the context and reasons behind European withdrawals.
b. Critically examine implications on regional security and humanitarian concerns.
Conclusion: Evaluate the long-term impact and need for global consensus on landmine bans.

Answer:

The Ottawa Convention, formally known as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, is a landmark international treaty adopted in 1997 to eliminate anti-personnel landmines globally. It obligates signatories to destroy existing stockpiles, clear mined areas, and assist victims. The treaty, which entered into force in 1999, symbolised a major humanitarian achievement. However, recent decisions by several European countries to withdraw from the treaty have raised serious concerns regarding regional stability and global disarmament efforts.

Reasons Behind the Withdrawals from the Ottawa Convention

Escalating Geopolitical Threats:
- NATO members including Poland, Finland, and the Baltic States have indicated withdrawal, citing the growing military threat from Russia, particularly after its actions in Ukraine.
Reconsideration of Defensive Capabilities:
- These countries argue that landmines are necessary to fortify borders and strategic areas in case of invasion, especially against armored incursions.
Changing Military Doctrine:
- The shift reflects a security-first approach, where national defense is prioritized over humanitarian disarmament commitments.
Influence of Broader Military Alliances:
- These states may be aligning with NATO and non-signatories like the United States, which has never ratified the Ottawa Convention and has historically reserved the right to use landmines in specific contexts.

Implications for Regional Security and Humanitarian Concerns

Undermining Global Norms:
- The withdrawals threaten to erode decades of international consensus against the use of landmines and may encourage other nations to follow suit.
Humanitarian Repercussions:
- Landmines disproportionately affect civilians. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), over 80% of mine victims are civilians, many of them children.
Delays in Demining Operations:
- The International Campaign to Ban Landmines reports that demining efforts are being hampered not only by these withdrawals but also by significant US funding cuts, which previously supported 40% of global mine clearance operations.
Increased Civilian Vulnerability in Conflict Zones:
- The United Nations declared Ukraine as the world’s most mined country in 2024, with over 1,200 civilian casualties due to mines and explosive remnants of war, indicating the urgent need for mine bans rather than expansion.
Potential Domino Effect on Other Treaties:
- Lithuania and others are reportedly reconsidering their commitment to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, raising fears of a broader rollback of humanitarian disarmament regimes.

The Ottawa Convention was a monumental step toward protecting civilians in post-conflict environments and limiting indiscriminate weapons. Although recent withdrawals are driven by valid national security concerns, they risk normalising landmine use and compromising global humanitarian progress. Upholding the treaty’s spirit is vital, especially at a time when conflicts like that in Ukraine highlight both the devastating impact of mines and the urgent need for international cooperation. A renewed commitment to disarmament, balanced with pragmatic defense planning, is essential for sustaining both peace and human security.

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