On November 20, 2024, the administration of United States President Joe Biden announced the transfer of antipersonnel landmines to Ukraine, reversing a longstanding US prohibition. An additional transfer of antipersonnel mines was announced on December 2. The announcements did not disclose the types and quantities of antipersonnel mines. These transfers contravene Biden’s 2022 policy on antipersonnel mines and break years of incremental steps by the US government to align its policy and practice with the 1997 treaty banning antipersonnel mines.
Human Rights Watch is a co-founder of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, 1997 Nobel Peace co-laureate together with Jody Williams. This Questions & Answers document explores the transfers decision and its humanitarian, policy, and legal implications.
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Source: Human Rights Watch
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