UN Chief Cautions Over Withdrawals from Mine Treaty
(MENAFN) On Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep alarm regarding recent decisions by several nations to step back from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.
In a formal statement, Guterres emphasized that "these announcements are particularly troubling, as it risks weakening civilian protection and undermining two decades of a normative framework that has saved countless lives."
His remarks highlight the potential erosion of longstanding global standards aimed at safeguarding civilians from the dangers of landmines.
The Secretary-General implored all countries to "adhere to humanitarian disarmament treaties and immediately halt any steps towards their withdrawal."
He also made a direct appeal to the 32 nations that have not yet become part of the convention, urging them to "do so without delay and to fully commit to its objectives."
With global conflicts growing in scale and intensity, Guterres stressed the importance of reinforcing international systems that protect human lives.
"At a time when civilians face heightened risks from widening conflicts, it is imperative that we strengthen the frameworks that protect human life and dignity," he stated.
As part of his response, Guterres revealed an upcoming international initiative focused on strengthening humanitarian disarmament and advancing efforts in mine clearance.
"To this end, I intend to launch a global campaign to uphold the norms of humanitarian disarmament, accelerate mine action as an enabler of human rights and sustainable development, and drive forward the vision of a mine-free world," he explained.
This campaign, scheduled to unfold over the next six months, will aim to "re-energize public support for disarmament" and push governments to adopt tangible measures that support humanitarian principles.
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