UN and Pope Urge Action on Land Mines

At the fifth review of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty in Cambodia, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Pope Francis called for global efforts to cease the production and use of land mines, which remain a significant humanitarian threat. Guterres highlighted that despite progress, some nations have resumed using antipersonnel mines and are not fulfilling their treaty commitments. He urged all states to comply with the treaty and provide necessary support for humanitarian impacts. The Pope's representative emphasized the devastating effects of land mines on civilians, particularly children, and called for immediate cessation of their production. The conference coincided with the release of the Landmine Monitor's report, which noted that land mines killed or injured at least 5,757 people in 2023, with a substantial portion being civilians. The report also pointed out that countries like Russia, Myanmar, and Iran continue to deploy land mines actively, undermining the treaty's objectives.