‘Safe futures start here’: UN calls for global action to eliminate mine threat

More than 100 million people worldwide are at risk from landmines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday, in his message for the International Day for Mine Awareness. “Even when the guns Read More …

Bolivia: An explosion at a standoff between rival gold miners kills at least 5 people

A powerful explosion killed at least five people, including a pregnant woman and 1-year-old baby, during a standoff between rival groups of gold miners early Thursday in northwestern Bolivia, police said, a rare instance of territorial disputes between the nation’s Read More …

Which countries are quitting a key landmine treaty and why?

NATO members Poland, Finland and all three Baltic states have queued up over the past few weeks to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines, in the face of what they say are growing military threats from Russia. The Read More …

Spanish Blue Helmets in UNIFIL Hold Conferences on Unexploded Munitions to Promote Safety in Southern Lebanon

As part of Spain’s ongoing commitment to the Lebanese people, the Spanish blue helmets of the UNIFIL contingent in the Eastern Sector—led by Spain—continue their awareness-raising efforts. This time, through a series of educational conferences aimed at increasing knowledge of Read More …

Finland: Move to leave convention banning anti-personnel mines could put civilian lives at risk

Reacting to news that the Finnish government has initiated the process of withdrawing from the Ottawa convention, a landmark treaty prohibiting the use of anti-personnel mines, Esther Major, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Research in Europe, said: “The Finnish government’s Read More …

Colombia: Violent turf war in Bogotá’s San Bernardo leaves three dead, nine injured

An explosion rocked Bogotá’s San Bernardo neighborhood on the night of Wednesday, March 12, leaving three dead and nine injured. Authorities confirmed the incident was caused by a grenade, which detonated near the Bicentenario station of TransMilenio, at the intersection Read More …

Lithuania’s departure from the Convention on Cluster Munition creates dangers for its population and global norms

Lithuania will formally withdraw from the Convention on Cluster Munitions, an unprecedented move with potentially profound consequences for the protection of civilians in Lithuania and elsewhere. This date ends the convention’s required six-month delay after Lithuania submitted its official intent Read More …

DR Congo: 11 killed, 65 injured in explosions after M23 rally in Bukavu

Several explosions killed at least 11 people and injured 65 others on Thursday in Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), shortly after a political rally in support of the rebel March 23 Movement (M23). The latest Read More …

France: Two people fight for life and 10 more injured after man throws grenade into Grenoble bar

Two people fighting for their lives are among the at least 12 who were injured after a grenade was thrown into a packed bar by a man brandishing a Kalashnikov rifle in Grenoble. In a “criminal act of unprecedented violence”, Read More …

Netherlands: 15 arrested in explosive attack crackdown

A large-scale police operation across the Netherlands has resulted in the arrest of 15 individuals, ranging in age from 14 to 25, for their involvement in a series of explosive attacks. The suspects were apprehended in connection with at least Read More …

Netherlands: Fear of explosions grows as attacks surge across the country

The increasing number of explosions across the Netherlands is driving fear among residents, with thousands seeking support from victim assistance organizations. The number of attacks involving explosives has escalated significantly in recent years. Police data shows that incidents nearly doubled Read More …

Leveraging new technology for a mine-free future

The devastating legacy of armed conflict – often marked by the indiscriminate use of landmines, improvised explosive devices and other explosive ordnance – poses a significant humanitarian challenge. Innovation in mine action With over 25 years of experience, UNOPS has Read More …

Children at Risk: The Dangerous Impacts of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas

Conflicts across the globe illustrate the devastating humanitarian consequences when urban areas become theatres of war. The use of explosive weapons in these environments carries numerous implications for civilians, including children. What is being done at the international level, and Read More …

Don’t condemn the US decision to give anti-personnel mines to Ukraine

In Ukraine, it’s not just the frontline that’s a minefield. The decision of the United States to offer landmines to Ukraine, a signatory of the landmine ban treaty, creates as much of a diplomatic minefield as a military one. Landmines Read More …

UN: 1,500 Somalis killed or injured by explosive devices in 2023

At least 1,500 civilians were killed or injured by 600 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Somalia over the past year, the UN reported late Thursday. UN Secretary-General’s Acting Special Representative for Somalia James Swan said that the threat of IEDs Read More …

Golan Heights attack: The claims and counterclaims on Majdal Shams strike

On Saturday, an explosive slammed into a football pitch in the Golan Heights’ Majdal Shams, killing 12 children. The apparent attack ratcheted up tensions between Israel, which occupies the Golan, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which began clashing with the Israeli military Read More …

Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention – Intersessional meeting – EU Statement on Victim Assistance

The European Union has been resolutely engaged in favour of mine victims and persons with disabilities through its policies and assistance, in particular in the implementation of the Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/257 which provides for national stakeholder dialogues to encourage Read More …

Pakistan: Hand grenade attack targets Levies Headquarters in Mastung

In a shocking incident, a hand grenade attack targeted the Levies headquarters located on Tehsil Road in Mastung, according to police reports. The attack resulted in one person sustaining injuries. The victim, who was struck by the blast, fortunately only Read More …

DR Congo: At least 12 killed in bomb attacks on displacement camps in North Kivu

At least 12 people, including children, have been killed in twin bomb blasts that hit two camps for displaced people in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to government officials, the United Nations and an aid group. Friday’s explosions Read More …

Meaningful action to prevent the use of explosive weapons in populated areas could almost halve number of child casualties in conflicts

NEW YORK/OSLO, 22 April 2024 – Between 2018 and 2022, explosive weapons were responsible for nearly half – 49.8 per cent – of the more than 47,500 instances of children killed and maimed that were verified by the United Nations, Read More …