Addressing the Proliferation of Anti-Personnel Mines

Abstract

Anti-personnel mines, first used in World War II, continue to be a persistent threat to life up to today. With technological advances, landmines have been easily deployed and difficult to detect, and an estimated 25,000 km² is currently considered contaminated with landmines. Widespread in Egypt, Afghanistan and Iraq, these landmines have resulted in great humanitarian and economic devastation and continue to do so presently. For example, Egypt witnessed 19 casualties per day due to landmines in 2020. Further, given their low cost and ease of use, non-state armed groups (NSAGs) are currently liberally using landmines. Globally, the estimated cost to clear landmines is around $50-$100 billion, with the countries most affected unable to afford these costs. In this study, we discuss the history of use, efforts to curb, and current deployment of landmines. The economic factors connected with anti-personnel mine use are discussed, including the cost associated with procuring and clearing landmines. The multifaceted ways that landmines impact economic growth are detailed, including the cost of emergency and long-term medical care, loss of infrastructure and farmland, and barriers to accessing education, health care, and employment. The study particularly focuses on Afghanistan, Cambodia, Egypt, Iraq, Myanmar and Russia. The role of the International Committee of the Red Cross in assisting victims, building awareness, and supporting governments is discussed. Events from 1939 to the current day are examined, as are the relevant UN treaties and events from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, 1997, to the present United Nations Mine Action Strategy (2019-2023). The treaties are discussed in the context of their effectiveness and impact, particularly on NSAGs. Several proposed solutions are presented and examined for their potential feasibility and effectiveness, including awareness building, technological approaches and international coordination. There is an urgent need to bring landmines to our conversation in order to address their continuing threat, and this study aims to do the same.