theguardian.com
Ottawa Treaty Falters: Rising Landmine Casualties and Treaty Withdrawals
Despite progress in reducing landmine casualties, the 2023 global death toll rose to 5,700 due to conflicts in Ukraine and Myanmar, leading to several European nations withdrawing from the Ottawa Treaty citing military threats from Russia.
- What is the immediate impact of the failure of the Ottawa Treaty to meet its 2025 deadline, and what are the resulting consequences?
- The Ottawa Treaty's goal of a mine-free world by 2025 is failing. Landmine casualties, down to 3,300 in 2013, surged to 5,700 in 2023 due to conflicts in Ukraine and Myanmar, both involving non-signatory states. Several treaty members, including Finland, are now withdrawing, citing the threat from Russia's extensive landmine use.
- How has Russia's use of landmines in Ukraine contributed to the resurgence of landmine casualties and the weakening of the Ottawa Treaty?
- Russia's actions in Ukraine, including widespread landmine use, have significantly undermined the Ottawa Treaty. The rising death toll, coupled with the withdrawal of several European nations due to perceived military threats, demonstrates a weakening of international cooperation to ban anti-personnel mines. The lack of a robust US security guarantee further exacerbates the situation.
- What are the long-term implications of the withdrawal of treaty members, and how will this affect global efforts to ban landmines and reduce civilian casualties?
- The resurgence of landmine use, driven largely by Russia's actions and the ensuing geopolitical insecurity, will likely lead to a prolonged increase in civilian casualties. The withdrawal of treaty members suggests a potential erosion of the international norm against landmines, hindering future mine clearance efforts and perpetuating the humanitarian crisis caused by these weapons.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative frames the resurgence of landmine use as a significant setback to the progress made under the Ottawa Treaty. The headline (not provided, but implied by the text) would likely emphasize this negative trend. The introductory paragraphs highlight the increased number of casualties and the decisions of several countries to withdraw from the treaty, setting a negative tone from the outset. This emphasis on the negative aspects might overshadow the ongoing efforts to clear mines and the continued commitment of many countries to the treaty.
Language Bias
The language used is mostly neutral and factual, relying on statistics and quotes from organizations like Human Rights Watch and the International Committee of the Red Cross. However, phrases like "sharp reverse" and "alarmingly" inject a degree of subjective evaluation. While these aren't overtly biased, they contribute to the overall negative framing of the situation.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the resurgence of landmine use due to the war in Ukraine and the subsequent decisions by several countries to leave the Ottawa Treaty. However, it omits discussion of the broader political and economic factors that might influence these countries' decisions, such as pressure from NATO allies or internal political considerations. Additionally, while mentioning the halting of US funding for mine clearance projects, it doesn't delve into the reasons behind the Trump administration's decision beyond stating that it has "resumed some programmes.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy by framing the decision of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland to leave the Ottawa Treaty as solely a response to the military threat from Russia. It acknowledges that their reasoning is "understandable," but doesn't fully explore alternative interpretations or contributing factors.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights a setback in the progress of the Ottawa Treaty, aiming to ban antipersonnel mines. The resurgence of landmine use, particularly in Ukraine and Myanmar, undermines international efforts towards peace and security, directly impacting SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). The decision by several countries to withdraw from the treaty further weakens international cooperation on this issue.