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Joint Civil Society Statement on Ukraine’s Unlawful Suspension of the Mine Ban Treaty

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This statement is also available in العربية, Italiana, and Español.

UN, Japanese, and Ukrainian deminers demonstrate new mine action technologies in Ukraine. © United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ukraine/Kseniia Nevenchenko, 2025.

This statement has been signed by 5 humanitarian disarmament coalitions and 77 civil society organizations across 39 countries.

As civil society coalitions and organizations working to reduce the catastrophic impact of war through humanitarian disarmament, we are deeply alarmed by Ukraine’s decision to unlawfully suspend the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. Similar to the highly regrettable withdrawals by the Baltic States, Finland, and Poland, this step blatantly contradicts the treaty’s core humanitarian mission, which as set out in its preamble seeks “to put an end to the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel mines, that kill or maim hundreds of people every week, mostly innocent and defenceless civilians and especially children….”

Importantly, the treaty does not permit suspension of its obligations, including during times of conflict. Allowing this unilateral suspension sets a dangerous precedent that could weaken respect for any instrument of international humanitarian law during armed conflict in any part of the world. We urge all countries to make clear publicly and as part of the final report of the next Meeting of States Parties, scheduled for December 1-5, that suspension is not permitted under the treaty. 

Ukraine’s decision not only undermines the Mine Ban Treaty’s humanitarian and lifesaving purposes; it jeopardizes nearly three decades of hard-won multilateral progress to protect civilians in conflict, achieved through the collective work of states, civil society, the United Nations, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. It also disregards the repeated pleas of mine victims and affected communities, who have consistently called on states to never return to these archaic and devastating weapons.

We condemn in the strongest terms the Russian Federation’s widescale and egregious disregard for the rules of international humanitarian law in its war against Ukraine. Russia’s actions have resulted in devastating civilian suffering across Ukraine. And it is civilians, especially children, who will pay the heaviest price for this suspension and withdrawals.

A frequently invoked justification for withdrawing from or suspending the Mine Ban Treaty is the claim of unprecedented geopolitical challenges. Yet, we have faced challenging times before, after which states responded not by dismantling norms, but by strengthening international humanitarian law and the rules-based order. It is therefore deeply troubling that some states are now choosing to weaken the very system created to protect humanity and promote peace.

It matters how wars are fought. It matters that humanitarian principles are respected. And it matters that the rules-based system endures.

Signed by the following humanitarian disarmament coalitions and international, regional, and national organizations:

Humanitarian Disarmament Campaigns

International and Regional Organizations

National Organizations

Afghanistan

Azerbaijan

Belgium

Brazil

Burundi

Cambodia

Canada

Colombia

Egypt

France

Germany

Ghana

Guatemala

India

Iran

Iraq

Italy

Japan

Malawi

Mexico

Nepal

Netherlands

New Zealand

Nigeria

Norway

Pakistan

Paraguay

Philippines

Poland

Rwanda

Somalia

South Africa

Sudan

Syria

Turkey

Uganda

United Kingdom

United States

Yemen

This post expresses the views of the listed signatories and does not purport to represent the views of the Armed Conflict and Civilian Protection Initiative, Harvard Law School’s International Human Rights Clinic, or Harvard University.

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