Holy See Calls For Universal Ratification Of Anti-Personnel Landmine treaty
Geneva – In A Pressing Appeal Delivered Friday, The Holy See Has Urged All Nations To Ratify The Anti-Personnel Landmines convention. Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, The Holy See’s Permanent Observer To The United Nations In Geneva, Emphasized The Critical Link between Disarmament And Development During The 2025 Intersessional Meeting Of The Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention.
Marshall Islands Praised For Ratification
Archbishop Balestrero Offered Congratulations To The Marshall Islands For Their Recent Ratification Of The Ottawa Convention. this landmark Treaty, Initially Proposed In Oslo In 1997 And Enacted In 1999, Aims To Eradicate Anti-Personnel Landmines Globally. The Archbishop Reaffirmed The Goal Of Universal Ratification, Highlighting The Convention’s Potential To Alleviate The Suffering Of landmine Victims And Prevent Future Casualties.
Concerns Over Potential Treaty Withdrawals
A Note Of Concern Was Raised Regarding Some States Considering Withdrawing From The Convention. “The Holy See Is Deeply Concerned About The Intention Of Certain States Parties To Withdraw From The Convention,” He Stated. He Urged All Nations Not Yet Participating To Join promptly And To Implement The Treaty Fully.
The Devastating Impact Of Landmines
The united Nations Office For Disarmament Affairs (Unoda) Reports That Anti-Personnel And Anti-Vehicle Landmines Have Inflicted Immense suffering For Decades. These devices Continue To Kill And Injure Civilians Long After Conflicts Cease. The Ottawa Convention Has Already Led To The Destruction Of Over 40 Million Stockpiled Landmines, Significantly Reducing Casualties.
Did You Know? The HALO Trust, one of the world’s largest mine clearance organizations, reported clearing over 77,000 landmines and other explosive remnants of war in 2024 alone.
Disarmament As A Moral Imperative
Archbishop Balestrero Stressed That The Ottawa Convention Prioritizes Human Dignity. He Established “A Clear Link Between Disarmament And Development.” He Expressed Sorrow Over the Numerous Deaths Caused Annually By Explosive Remnants Of War, With Children Disproportionately Affected.He Affirmed That Existing Disarmament Treaties Are Not Just Legal Obligations But Also “Moral Commitments To Present And Future Generations.”
According To The Archbishop, Compliance With International Law And Disarmament Treaties Strengthens Nations By Showing “An Enduring Source Of Strength And Duty towards All Of Humanity.”
Military Spending Under Scrutiny
The Holy See’s Representative Sharply Criticized The Excessively High Global Military Spending. The Sum, Which exceeded $2.7 Trillion In 2024, Was Described As “A Grave Imbalance and Even Scandal.” He Contrasted This Enormous Expenditure With The Insufficient Resources Allocated To Essential Services Such As Social Assistance,Food Security,And Human Development.
The Archbishop Emphasized That “No Peace Is possible Without True Disarmament.” He Warned That National Defense should Not Transform Into A “Race To Rearmament.”
A Call for Dialogue And Reason
Archbishop Balestrero concluded By Urging All Nations To “Return To Reason And Dialogue,” Advocating For Diplomatic Solutions To Prevent Escalation. The Holy See Reaffirmed Its Commitment To Promoting Peace. It Also Stated The Importance Of Preserving The Convention, “Remaining Fully Confident That The Sanctity Of Human Life…Will Continue To Inspire Its Implementation.”
Pro Tip: Support organizations like the HALO Trust or Mines Advisory Group (MAG) to contribute to global mine clearance efforts.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Objective | To Eliminate Anti-Personnel Landmines Worldwide |
| Core Obligations | Prohibits Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer Of Anti-Personnel Mines |
| Impact | Over 40 Million Landmines Destroyed; Reduced Casualties |
| Holy See’s Role | Advocates For Universal Ratification And Implementation |
| Challenges | States Parties Considering Withdrawal; Continued Casualties From Existing Mines |
Do you believe that increased diplomatic efforts can lead to wider adoption of the Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention? What role can individual citizens play in supporting demining efforts worldwide?
The Enduring importance Of Landmine Clearance
Landmine Clearance Remains A Critical Humanitarian Effort Years After Conflicts End. Explosive Remnants Of War Continue To Pose A Meaningful Threat To Civilians, Impeding Development And Causing Lasting Trauma.Organizations Dedicated to Demining Play A Vital Role In Reclaiming Land and Protecting communities.
The Ongoing Support For And Expansion Of International treaties Like The Ottawa convention Are Essential For Creating A Safer And More Secure World. Continued Advocacy And Resource Allocation Are Needed To Achieve A Landmine-Free Future.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anti-Personnel Landmines
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What Is The Goal Of The Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention?
The primary goal is to eliminate anti-personnel landmines worldwide, preventing further casualties and suffering.
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Why Is The Holy See Involved In This Issue?
The Holy See views the convention as a moral imperative, linking disarmament with human development and the sanctity of life.
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What progress Has Been Made In Landmine Destruction?
Over 40 Million Landmines Have Been Destroyed Under The Ottawa Convention, Significantly Reducing Casualties.
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What Are The Main Challenges To Eliminating Landmines?
Challenges Include States Considering Withdrawal From The Convention And The Presence Of Existing Mines In Conflict Zones.
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How Does Military Spending Relate To This Issue?
The Holy See Criticizes Excessive Military spending, Arguing That Resources Should Be Redirected To Social Assistance And Peace-Building Efforts.
Share your thoughts and join the conversation below. How can we further promote the goals of the Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention?
