Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Condemns Latvia's Intent to Withdraw from the Mine Ban Treaty and Urges to Reconsider

PRESS RELEASE
 

Geneva, 19 March 2025 - The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) strongly condemns Latvia's alarming announcement of its intent to withdraw from the Mine Ban Treaty. This move will put the lives of Latvian civilians at risk and threatens to undermine decades of progress in protecting people from these indiscriminate and inhumane weapons. The rapid government decision late yesterday follows an announcement earlier in the day by the Ministers of Defense of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland to recommend leaving the treaty. 

The 1997 Mine Ban Treaty stands as one of the greatest achievements in humanitarian disarmament efforts. Since becoming a State Party in 2006, Latvia has fulfilled its obligations towards the treaty including the destruction of its stockpile in August 2006. However, Latvia's potential retreat from these commitments signals a dangerous regression in its commitments not just towards the Mine Ban Convention but also towards the principles of International Humanitarian Law and longstanding and highly successful global humanitarian disarmament efforts.

"All countries have the right to protect themselves," said Tamar Gabelnick, Director of ICBL. "But to do so by knowingly reaching for a weapon with such proven catastrophic impact on civilians is irresponsible and incomprehensible. Instead of making their population safer, Latvia, and potentially the other 3 countries who are also considering the same move, are seeking to litter their lands with hidden bombs that risk causing devastating, life-threatening injuries to their own people for decades."

The ICBL believes that Cold War-era AP mines do not have a place in modern militaries. “Instead of projecting strength, reliance on the old technology of anti-personnel mines signals desperation and weakness,” added Ms. Gabelnick. “It is hard to understand how Latvia will continue to uphold its obligations towards International Humanitarian Law by reintroducing a weapon that is unable to distinguish between civilian and military targets.”

 

The dire humanitarian impact of AP mines is well established, usually causing traumatic amputation of one or both legs that will lead to life-long disability or death. Children, making up 40% of known mine casualties, are particularly at risk given the proximity of their small and fragile bodies to the explosion.  

Latvia has never produced or exported antipersonnel mines but inherited a small stockpile of Soviet antipersonnel mines, which it destroyed in 2006. Reintroducing domestic manufacturing would demand substantial financial, infrastructural, and training investments, all for a weapon banned by the EU and NATO. Even if pursued, it would take years to operationalize, diverting resources from the development of modern and more effective defense measures.

By aligning with pariah regimes still producing mines, such as Russia, Myanmar, Iran and North Korea, Latvia jeopardizes its standing as a responsible international actor and its reputation as a supporter of humanitarian international law and humanitarian disarmament would be irreparably tarnished.

The ICBL urges Latvia to reconsider this dangerous path and to remain committed to this vital treaty, which has saved countless lives and strengthened global norms against indiscriminate weapons.

END
 

Background 
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) is a global civil society coalition of hundreds of organizations working for a world without landmines. In 1997, the ICBL was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize together with its founding coordinator Jody Williams. The campaign includes national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across many disciplines including demining, human rights, development, refugee issues, and medical and humanitarian relief.


Useful Links
www.icblcmc.org/about-icbl
Landmine Monitor 2024 Report
Latvia’s Mine Ban Policy
Landmine Monitor Backgrounder on US Landmine Transfers to Ukraine
Improvised Mines: The Impact 2019–2023
The Impact of Mines/ERW on Children


Contact Details
Charles Bechara, Media & Communications Manager
International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL)
Email: charles@icblcmc.org
Tel. +41 78 323 51 44

Tamar Gabelnick , Director
International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL)
Email: tamar@icblcmc.org

Tel. +41 78 323 51 44