NPA condemns U.S. latest decision to transfer antipersonnel landmines and cluster munitions to Ukraine

As one of the largest humanitarian demining operators, we can attest first-hand to the detrimental and long-lasting humanitarian impact anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions have on civilians for decades after a conflict is over.

According to the latest reports, 84% of landmine casualties were civilians, 37% of whom were children, 93% of cluster munitions casualties were civilians of whom 47% were children, not military. The facts speak for themselves, landmines and cluster munitions hurt primarily and almost exclusively civilians both during conflict and for decades after a conflict is over and their use by anyone, at any time, and under any circumstances is unacceptable.

We strongly condemn the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine and stand in full solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Ukraine is one of the world’s most contaminated countries with explosive weapons, with massive anti-personnel mine and cluster munitions contamination which it will take generations to clear at the expense of civilian suffering.

We are deeply concerned by the news of another US transfer of AP mines to Ukraine. We urge the US to reverse this decision, in line with its own AP mine policy, and Ukraine to uphold its legally binding obligations under the Mine Ban Treaty. We are also concerned that this transfer may include cluster munitions and urge the US to reconsider its decision and Ukraine to refrain from using these indiscriminate weapons.

The Mine Ban Treaty with 164 states parties and the Convention on Cluster Munitions, with 112 states parties, are cornerstones of IHL and must be principally and consistently protected and upheld. The Mine Ban Treaty put a stop to the grave humanitarian crisis we witnessed in the 1990s, caused by anti-personnel mines, an indiscriminate weapon with very little military utility, but unacceptable civilian costs. There can be no exception or excuse to ever go back to the dire humanitarian situation this treaty ended decades ago. The Convention on Cluster Munitions prevented a humanitarian crisis in the making. States Parties have a responsibility to protect both treaties, condemn all use, and ensure compliance at all times and under all circumstances.

Norwegian People’s Aid condemns the US decision and urges all states parties to the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions to take all necessary steps to stop the transfer of these indiscriminate weapons.

Norway, a state party to both humanitarian treaties, the host country of the negotiations and adoption of the Mine Ban Treaty and the initiator of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, bears special responsibility in protecting the norms of the conventions. NPA therefore calls on the Norwegian government – in partnership with other states parties to the conventions – to take action by ensuring principled implementation of IHL and the norms set out by the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Today, on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 27th anniversary of the signing of the Mine Ban Treaty in Ottawa and the 16th anniversary of the Convention on Cluster Munitions opening for signature in Oslo, we ask states parties to both treaties to make their utmost efforts to ensure civilians are protected from these indiscriminate weapons always and without exception.