Latest news with #OttawaTreaty
Qatar Tribune
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Finland joins several of its NATO neighbours in exiting landmine treaty
CopenhagencTypeface:> Finland is to follow several of its NATO neighbours and exit the Ottawa Treaty banning the use of anti-personnel landmines, following a vote in the Helsinki parliament on Thursday, state broadcaster Yle reported. The measure was passed by 157 to eight votes and will go into force six months after formal Finnish notification to the UN. Baltic republics Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have already taken similar decisions, as has Poland. The Finnish government had announced the move in April following approval by the parliamentary foreign affairs committee. The Finnish military takes the view that it needs landmines to defend the country. The Ottawa Treaty went into effect in March 1999, banning the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of landmines. Finland signed up in 2012. The United States, Russia, China, India and Pakistan have not signed. (DPA)
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
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. Live Events 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. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Euronews
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Finland votes to withdraw from landmine treaty due to Russia threat
Finland's parliament voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to withdraw from an international treaty banning anti-personnel landmines, citing the threat posed by Russia. Finnish lawmakers voted 157-18 in favour of a government proposal to leave the Ottawa Treaty. The 1997 agreement, which prohibits the use, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines, has been ratified or acceded to by more than 160 countries. NATO member Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometre land border with Russia, has said landmines could be used to defend its vast and rugged terrain in the event of an attack. Russia has not joined the Ottawa Treat, and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine has turned the war-torn country into the world's most mine-laden nation, according to analysts. Several other European and NATO nations bordering Russia — Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland — have recently pulled out of the treaty or announced plans to do so. Finland's President Alexander Stubb defended the decision. "The reality in the endgame is that we have as our neighbouring country an aggressive, imperialist state called Russia, which itself is not a member of the Ottawa Treaty and which itself uses landmines ruthlessly," he said. Earlier this week, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres launched a global campaign to boost support for disarmament and mine action. He said he was "very concerned" by announcements and steps by several UN member countries to leave the Ottawa Treaty. In response, Finland's Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said the "government and parliament have a duty to take measures that reduce Finland's risk of being attacked." "Protection against the Russian threat takes priority," he wrote on X on Tuesday. Under the treaty's rules, the withdrawal will take effect six months after Finland formally notifies the UN, at which point the country will be permitted to stockpile landmines. The US, China, India, Pakistan and South Korea are among the major nations to not have joined the pact. According to NATO, nearly 70 countries and territories are still affected by the presence of some 110 million land mines, which can remain dormant under the ground for many years before being triggered. At least 5,757 people — mostly civilians — were killed or wounded by landmines and unexploded ordnance in 2023, the NGO Landmine Monitor said.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Finnish parliament votes to exit landmines treaty due to Russia threat
HELSINKI (Reuters) -Finland's parliament voted on Thursday in favour of withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention that bans the use of anti-personnel landmines amid concerns over a military threat posed by neighbouring Russia. Finland joins other European Union and NATO members bordering Russia - Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland - in leaving or planning to leave the treaty, as fears grow about their much larger neighbour. President Alexander Stubb, who leads Finland's foreign and security policy, has defended the move. "The reality in the endgame is that we have as our neighbouring country an aggressive, imperialist state called Russia, which itself is not a member of the Ottawa Treaty and which itself uses landmines ruthlessly," he said. Russia has used landmines in its invasion of Ukraine. The Finnish decision follows similar votes in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, where parliaments have approved the withdrawal. Finland, which guards NATO's longest border with Russia, will be able to start stockpiling landmines six months after formally notifying other treaty members and the United Nations of its resignation. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday launched a new effort to "uphold the norms of humanitarian disarmament", urging all states to adhere to existing treaties and immediately halt any steps towards their withdrawal. "I am gravely concerned by recent announcements and steps taken by several Member States to withdraw from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention," he said in a statement. In response to Guterres' concerns, Finland's Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said the aim of the withdrawal was to protect civilians and minimise the loss of human lives. "I believe that our government and parliament have a duty to take measures that reduce Finland's risk of being attacked," the minister said on social media X. "Protection against the Russian threat takes priority," he added. Parliament on Thursday also agreed to permit land mine exports under usual arms sale control procedures.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Finnish parliament votes to exit landmines treaty due to Russia threat
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto speaks during the State Opening of Parliament in Helsinki, Finland February 7, 2024. Lehtikuva/Emmi Korhonen via REUTERS/File Photo HELSINKI (Reuters) -Finland's parliament voted on Thursday in favour of withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention that bans the use of anti-personnel landmines amid concerns over a military threat posed by neighbouring Russia. Finland joins other European Union and NATO members bordering Russia - Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland - in leaving or planning to leave the treaty, as fears grow about their much larger neighbour. President Alexander Stubb, who leads Finland's foreign and security policy, has defended the move. "The reality in the endgame is that we have as our neighbouring country an aggressive, imperialist state called Russia, which itself is not a member of the Ottawa Treaty and which itself uses landmines ruthlessly," he said. Russia has used landmines in its invasion of Ukraine. The Finnish decision follows similar votes in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, where parliaments have approved the withdrawal. Finland, which guards NATO's longest border with Russia, will be able to start stockpiling landmines six months after formally notifying other treaty members and the United Nations of its resignation. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday launched a new effort to "uphold the norms of humanitarian disarmament", urging all states to adhere to existing treaties and immediately halt any steps towards their withdrawal. "I am gravely concerned by recent announcements and steps taken by several Member States to withdraw from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention," he said in a statement. In response to Guterres' concerns, Finland's Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said the aim of the withdrawal was to protect civilians and minimise the loss of human lives. "I believe that our government and parliament have a duty to take measures that reduce Finland's risk of being attacked," the minister said on social media X. "Protection against the Russian threat takes priority," he added. Parliament on Thursday also agreed to permit land mine exports under usual arms sale control procedures. (Reporting by Anne Kauranen, editing by Anna Ringstrom and Ed Osmond)
