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Finland becomes 5th European nation to exit Ottawa landmine treaty — here's why it matters
Finland is leaving the Ottawa Treaty, which bans anti- personnel land mines, becoming the fifth European country to do so. The Finnish Parliament approved this decision on Thursday by a vote of 157 in favor and 18 against. The Parliament also approved the government's bill for withdrawal by a vote of 155 to 18, as per the report by Helsingin Sanomat.
Some members voted against leaving the treaty, left Alliance reps, seven Greens, and Eva Biaudet from the ruling party RKP. Nine members of the Social Democratic Party were absent during the vote. Four National Coalition Party members and three Finns Party members were also absent. SDP had internal problems about withdrawing from the treaty. Seven SDP MPs wanted to vote against withdrawal but were denied permission by their party group, according to the report by Helsingin Sanomat.
This likely explains why many SDP members were absent from the vote. Johan Kvarnstrom said before the vote that he would not support bringing back anti-personnel mines. Anna-Kristiina Mikkonen said she missed the vote because of travel restrictions late in her pregnancy but would have voted to withdraw.
Suna Kymalainen said she supports withdrawal but could not attend the vote. Eemeli Peltonen would have supported withdrawal but was on sick leave. Elisa Gebhard was present earlier in the day but left to see a doctor and later got sick leave, so she missed the vote, as stated by Helsingin Sanomat.
Elisa Gebhard said she can show her sick leave certificate if needed. SDP parliamentary group chair Tytti Tuppurainen said she will check reasons for absences but did not comment on any punishments. Tuppurainen said the SDP group is in good spirits and that the vote shows SDP cares about Finnish safety in all situations.
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The Finnish government announced in April it would prepare to leave the treaty, mainly because of Russia's actions. Minister of Defense Antti Hakkanen said anti-personnel mines are a defensive weapon. Hakkanen explained Russia uses mines heavily to defend territory and attack, and mines fit well with Finland's rugged terrain, according to the report by Helsingin Sanomat.
Security threats for treaty exit
Finland joined the Ottawa Treaty in late 2011, and it became effective in 2012. Finland joined the treaty much later than most EU countries, since the treaty was signed in 1997. Finnish MPs voted on Thursday to approve withdrawal to resume using anti-personnel landmines, as stated by yle report.
The vote was 157 in favor, 18 against, and 24 absent. Those against included 10 Left Alliance MPs, 7 Greens MPs, and 1 from the Swedish People's Party. The Finnish government sent the withdrawal proposal to Parliament late last month and said they were preparing for it since spring.
Finland's next plan
The next steps are, the President of Finland will confirm the decision, and Finland will notify the UN Secretary-General. The treaty bans use, making, stockpiling, transferring, and requires destroying anti-personnel mines. In 2012, Finland was the last EU member to join the treaty, as stated by yle report.
Earlier this spring, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland also announced leaving the treaty. Last week, Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee supported withdrawing, saying Finland needs to rethink treaty limits that could weaken its defense amid tougher security.
The Committee's chairman said Finland must still prove it supports international rules by concrete actions. The committee also suggested Finland keep supporting humanitarian efforts like clearing mines in crisis areas. On Thursday, MPs also approved the Foreign Affairs Committee's statement, according to the report by yle.
FAQs
Q1. Why did Finland leave the Ottawa Treaty?
To strengthen its defense against rising threats, especially from Russia.
Q2. What does the
Ottawa Treaty ban
?
It bans using, making, storing, and moving anti-personnel landmines.
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