On April 4, Human Rights Watch (HRW) celebrated the UN Human Rights Council’s groundbreaking resolution addressing antipersonnel landmines, a first in its history. Defined by the Ottawa Convention, an anti-personnel mine is crafted to explode upon a person’s presence, potentially incapacitating or claiming lives.
The resolution emphasises a collaborative global response to the consequences of these mines, advocating for educational initiatives about their dangers. It particularly urges nations to focus on the needs of survivors, especially children, linking them to legal disability frameworks. Additionally, it mandates the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to compile an inclusive report involving various stakeholders to examine the issue comprehensively.
Despite the significance of this resolution, some countries have contemplated withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, originally ratified by 165 nations in 1997, which mandates the destruction of all owned antipersonnel mines. Disruptions in mine clearance efforts due to US government aid cuts have exacerbated the situation, as many deminers faced dismissal or administrative leave.
HRW stresses that antipersonnel mines indiscriminately harm civilians and combatants alike, breaching international humanitarian law. In a stark revelation, they noted that civilians constituted 84% of all landmine casualties in 2023, with children making up 37% of those recorded injuries.
The UN Human Rights Council adopted its first-ever resolution on antipersonnel landmines, as praised by Human Rights Watch. This resolution mandates cooperation among countries to tackle the effects and educate communities about these mines, focusing significantly on children’s needs. Despite its importance, challenges persist, including potential withdrawals from the Ottawa Convention and disruptions in mine clearance due to US government actions, while HRW highlights the overwhelming civilian casualties caused by these weapons.
In summary, the UN’s first-ever resolution on antipersonnel landmines marks a pivotal step towards addressing the severe humanitarian crisis they cause. By calling for cooperation, education, and tailored support for survivors, especially children, the resolution seeks an enhanced global commitment to dismantling these weapons and aiding affected communities. Despite some nations considering a retreat from the Ottawa Convention, the vital need for comprehensive action remains paramount as casualties continue to proliferate.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
