ラトビアの国会議員にオタワ条約離脱の撤回を求めました。
ラトビアの国会において、オタワ条約からの離脱を決定する投票が目前に迫っています。昨日から、ICBLの各国メンバーが一斉にラトビアの国会議員に対して、以下のメッセージを送りました。
Protect Civilians from Hidden Killers: VOTE NO on Withdrawal from the Mine Ban Treaty
Dear Member of Parliament,
I am writing as a member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, co-laureate of the
1997 Nobel Peace Prize, to urge you to vote against the proposed bill to withdraw from the
Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. This landmark treaty has saved countless lives by
banning these hidden killers, and withdrawing from it would put at risk the lives and limbs of
civilians in Latvia and around the world.
There is no doubt that Latvia has the right to find the best possible means to strengthen its
defense in this uncertain security environment. However, reverting to outdated, obsolete
antipersonnel mines would be a flawed, dangerous, and ineffective response. Antipersonnel
mines are indiscriminate weapons that cannot be aimed at an enemy soldier and cannot
differentiate between the footstep of a soldier or a child. Sowing mines on Latvian territory
therefore would not enhance the security of Latvians, it would create a lethal risk for many
years to come. There are far more modern, targeted, and responsible ways to protect Latvia’s
national security.
Here is why remaining in the Convention is the right decision:
• Humanitarian Impact: Antipersonnel mines are indiscriminate weapons that are
designed to blow off a victim’s limb, causing death or lifelong disability. They continue
to kill and maim many long years after conflicts end, leaving a legacy of suffering for
generations. Given their inherently indiscriminate nature, using mines is like playing
Russian roulette with civilian lives– you never know who they will harm, soldier or child.
Indeed, research shows that 85% of their victims are civilians, and 40% are children.
• Moral and Legal Parallels: Like chemical and biological weapons, antipersonnel mines
are banned because they cannot distinguish between combatants and civilians. Their
use directly contradicts the principles of discrimination and proportionality under
international humanitarian law and endangers innocent lives.
• Questionable Military Utility: Modern military strategies have moved beyond
antipersonnel landmines long ago. Their effectiveness is highly disputed, as studies
show determined enemies can quickly breach minefields, and tactical mobility of those
laying mines is restricted when front lines shift. Reintroducing mines rather than
pursuing the latest technologies would not enhance Latvia’s security. Instead of
projecting strength, it would signal desperation and weakness.
• International Consensus: A total of 165 states—including all EU and all but one NATO
members—reject the use of anti-personnel mines. The only governments still using
these weapons are Russia, Myanmar, Iran, and North Korea. Aligning Latvia’s military
practices with this group would seriously damage Latvia’s international reputation.
• Global Humanitarian Commitment: Withdrawal from the Convention would undermine
international humanitarian law and embolden those who seek to weaken global norms.
It would be perceived as a setback for international cooperation—and a victory for
actors like Russia, who openly disregard these values.
We urge you to stay on the right side of history and vote against the proposed withdrawal
from the Convention. Your vote will protect critical international norms, but most importantly,
it will save Latvian lives.
1 Apr.2025
Toshihiro Shimizu
Executive Director
Japan Campaign to Ban Landmines
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