The US has been criticized by humanitarian organizations for its decision to supply landmines to Ukraine during the war in Eastern Europe.
The approval is seen by Washington as an attempt to slow down Russian troops, who have been steadily advancing into eastern Ukraine in recent months.
In an interview with the BBC, Mary Wareham, director of Human Rights Watch, said the decision was a “shocking and devastating development” for those working to eliminate anti-personnel landmines.
His stance was echoed by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), which condemned the US decision “in the strongest possible terms”.
“These horrific, indiscriminate weapons, banned by the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, continue to wreak havoc on civilian lives and livelihoods,” added ICBL director, Tamar Gablink, in a statement. effects.”
He added that under the agreement, “there are no circumstances under which Ukraine as a state party can acquire, store or use them”.
The use of landmines is not illegal under international law. But more than 160 nations has signed the Mine Ban Treaty which commits to prohibiting the production, use and stockpiling of anti-personnel mines. Ukraine is one Signatories to this Agreement.
Ms Wareham of Human Rights Watch added: “So much progress has been made in the last 25 years under the framework provided by the international treaty to ban landmines. It is therefore inconceivable that the US would take this step. “
Anti-personnel mines are explosive devices often hidden on the ground and designed to detonate when people are on or near them.
Russian Forces Are Using Landmines Widespread in Ukraine – Since it launched its full-scale offensive in February 2022, Russia has deployed landmines to defend its positions and slow down the Ukrainians. .
A key concern of landmine campaigners is that these weapons pose a threat to civilians, who die indiscriminately as they are buried underground or scattered on the surface.
Another issue is the process of demining after a conflict ends, and it can take a long time to clear mined land. The process is also expensive, with the World Bank reporting last year that demining Ukraine would cost $37.4bn (£29.6bn).
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that the US has asked for assurances about the use of landmines.
Washington expects the mines – which officials say will be delivered soon – to be used on Ukrainian soil, but away from densely populated areas.
Mr. Austin said that Ukraine would be safer using U.S. devices than self-developed devices, because U.S. mines are what he called “non-permanent,” meaning they lose charge after a few days and Can’t detonate anymore.
“We’ve talked to them about, you know, how they’re likely to use these weapons, and making sure they’re acting responsibly, recording. Know where they are placing their mines, and make sure they leverage themselves. The explosive properties of these weapons, Mr. Austin said.
In response to Wednesday’s news from Washington, the HelloTrust, the world’s largest demining charity, said: “The potential for further contagion from the use of anti-personnel (AP) mines in Eastern Europe is a clear and There is a present danger”.
According to its statement, the HelloTrust said Ukraine had been reclassified this month as “heavily contaminated” by landmines, with some estimates by the charity suggesting they were in up to 40 percent of the country.
HelloTrust has released a report that estimates that more than 2 million landmines have been laid in Ukraine since the start of the all-out war in 2022.
The supply of anti-personnel mines is the latest move by the outgoing US administration to bolster Ukraine’s war effort ahead of the January 20 inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
It’s a major policy shift for Joe Biden himself, who previously called Trump “reckless” for lifting the U.S. ban on landmines when he was last in the White House.
Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Koliba defended the US position, saying it was within international law, but added that “there are moral implications for human rights defenders, and I fully understand them.” I understand it”.
“But we are fighting a vicious enemy and we should have the right to use whatever we need within the realm of international law to defend ourselves,” he said.
