Ottawa Convention

Why in News?

As a result of increasing military threats from Russia, various NATO member countries have announced their withdrawal from the ‘Ottawa Convention’.

About the Ottawa Convention

• Introduction: It is an international agreement on the prohibition of the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their destruction.
  • It is also known as the ‘Ottawa Convention’ or the ‘Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty’.
  • This treaty focuses only on anti-personnel mines and does not address anti-vehicle (anti-tank) mines, remote-controlled Claymore-type mines, booby traps, or mixed mine systems.
• Aim: To encourage global disarmament by banning anti-personnel landmines.
• Signed: In the year 1997 in Ottawa, the capital of Canada.
• Effective: In force from 1 March 1999.
• Countries involved: As of March 2025, 165 countries have joined the convention.
  • Several major powers, including the United States, China and Russia, are outside it.
  • Both India and Pakistan have not joined the convention, citing regional security challenges.
• Key features: Under the treaty, signatories are obliged to destroy all stockpiled anti-personnel mines within four years of ratification, although a limited number of mines may be retained for training purposes.
  • The convention includes provisions to assist those affected by mine blasts.