Geneva/Kyiv, November 20, 2024 – Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) denounces the reported planned transfer of banned antipersonnel landmines from the United States to Ukraine. In response to the announced transfer, CIVIC’s Executive Director Hichem Khadhraoui said:

“We urge the Biden administration to immediately reverse its decision to transfer these weapons to Ukraine, which as a party to the Mine Ban Treaty is prohibited from using antipersonnel landmines under any circumstances.

“CIVIC opposes the use of antipersonnel landmines by any country or armed actor, and calls upon Ukraine to abide by its treaty obligations and refrain from using these banned weapons. CIVIC also continues to denounce Russia’s extensive use of antipersonnel landmines in Ukraine since its full-scale invasion.

“Antipersonnel landmines are indiscriminate weapons that kill and maim civilians, and especially children, for generations after wars end. They have wide-ranging humanitarian consequences, preventing displaced civilians from returning home.

“These weapons cannot distinguish between civilians and combatants as required by international humanitarian law and have been explicitly banned by 164 countries through the Ottawa Convention, including Ukraine and all European Union members. In addition to the immediate consequences for civilians, the transfer and use of antipersonnel landmines undermines global civilian protection norms and the rule of law. This decision must be reversed.

Ukraine is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world today. It is estimated that it will take hundreds of years to demine. According to the Landmine Monitor 2024 report, released today, at least 580 people in Ukraine were killed or wounded by landmines in 2023.

CIVIC is a steering committee member of the US Campaign to Ban Landmines – US Cluster Munition Coalition (USCBL-CMC). Read the Campaign’s statement in response to the announced transfers here.

CIVIC in Ukraine:

CIVIC has been present in Ukraine since 2017, conducting research and on-the-ground activities assisting the Ukrainian government and the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in the development and implementation of tools, training, and policies on protection of civilians. CIVIC in Ukraine is also supporting local communities in the areas at risk of escalation of hostilities and in newly liberated areas by strengthening their preparedness and resilience to protection threats, building effective coordination systems with the military, local authorities and communities, and amplifying civilians’ voice through research and advocacy.

Facts and Figures:

• According to the Landmine Monitor 2024 report released today, civilians made up 84 percent of all recorded casualties in 2023, while children were 37 percent of casualties when the age was recorded.
• It is estimated that it will take Ukraine 757 years to demine landmine-contaminated territories.
• The 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction is the international agreement that bans antipersonnel landmines, also referred to as the Ottawa Convention or the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty. It has 164 States Parties, including Ukraine.
• This transfer breaks with a June 2022 US government policy that the United States would “Not assist, encourage, or induce anyone, outside of the context of the Korean Peninsula, to engage in any activity that would be prohibited by the Ottawa Convention.” The announced transfer of antipersonnel landmines also follows seven transfers to date of international-banned cluster munitions from the United States to Ukraine, the latest of which was announced on October 16, 2024.

For additional information or media inquiries, please contact:

• CIVIC’s global media team: [email protected]