US Backs Out of Joining Mine Ban Treaty

Architecture for Humanity

US backs out of joining 1997 Mine Ban Treaty

Every time I get asked about the worst designed product ever it always ends up being the modern day landmine - cheap to produce ($2/3 each), expensive to remove ($1000 per mine) and the cause of terrible injury (every 17 minutes someone is maimed or killed stepping on or removing a landmine).

On February 27th 2004 a long-awaited landmine policy was unveiled by the US government. The new policy abandons altogether plans for US accession to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty (which over 135 countries have signed). The policy also confirms the possibility that US troops may deploy antipersonnel landmines in Iraq or elsewhere.

"This decision represents a further retreat from the international consensus to ban antipersonnel landmines, which kill and injure thousands of refugees and other innocent people each year," said Kenneth H. Bacon, former Pentagon spokesman and current president of Refugees International.

However, it also announces a 50% increase in spending for mine action programs for FY 2005 (over FY 2003 levels).

The new policy will lead to the destruction of older, "dumb" landmines, but not until 2010, four years after the previous deadline. Most disturbing, the right to use US self-deactivating or self-destructing antipersonnel (AP) "smart" landmines will continue indefinitely.

Though set to self-deactivate or self-destruct, so-called "smart mines" will injure and kill civilians who come upon the weapons that are still active. Because these newer types of mines tend to be scattered by air by the thousands, they are difficult to mark and map. Demining teams must approach "smart" minefields with the same tremendous amount of time, resources, and caution as they would "dumb" minefields for fear of dud mines or inaccurate intelligence.

In the past, the USA was one of the biggest exporters of landmines. According to Human Rights Watch, between 1969 and 1992, the country was responsible for exporting at least 4.4 million landmines to 32 or more countries including Angola, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia and Zambia.

In 1992, however, the US authorities put in place an export ban on landmines, and in 1994, President Clinton became one of the first world leaders to call for the "eventual elimination" of landmines.

There were further positive signs in 1996 when the administration said the US would "lead a global effort" to ban landmines, and would "seek a worldwide agreement as soon as possible to end the use of all anti-personnel landmines". On February 27th that changed.

The following countries are still listed as producing Anti-Personnel (AP) mines: Burma | China | Cuba | Egypt | India | Iraq | North Korea | South Korea | Pakistan | Russia | Singapore | Turkey and the United States

If you would like to get involved please check out International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). Further mine history can also be found here:

The History of Landmines

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