In News:

Poland has formally withdrawn from the Ottawa Convention, reversing its earlier commitment to ban anti-personnel landmines. The move follows heightened regional security concerns after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Background

• Poland ratified the Ottawa Convention in 2012.
• It completed destruction of its anti-personnel mine stockpiles by 2016.
• However, citing new geopolitical threats, Poland has now exited the treaty framework.

Geopolitical Rationale

• The decision is linked to strengthening the Eastern Shield, a fortified defence system along Poland’s borders with:
  • Kaliningrad (Russia)
  • Belarus
• Triggered by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
• Mines will reportedly remain in stockpiles and deployed only under a “realistic threat of aggression” to reduce civilian harm.

Ottawa Convention (1997)

• Formally known as the Mine Ban Treaty.
• Emerged from the Canadian-led “Ottawa Process” after the First Review Conference of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons failed to impose strict limits.
• Prohibits:
  • Use
  • Production
  • Stockpiling
  • Transfer of anti-personnel landmines

Rationale

Anti-personnel mines pose long-term risks to civilians, often remaining active decades after conflicts end.

Types of Landmines

• Anti-tank mines remain legally permissible under the CCW framework.

Domestic Production Plans

• Poland aims to restore self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing.
• Plans to renew production of:
  • Anti-personnel mines
  • Anti-tank mines
• Collaboration with domestic defence manufacturers.

Regional Trend

• Since the Russia–Ukraine conflict, several Eastern European states have reconsidered their treaty obligations.
• Countries announcing withdrawal include: Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Poland.

Global Context

• Nearly three dozen countries never acceded to the Ottawa Convention.
• Notable non-signatories: India, Russia, United States

India has maintained that anti-personnel mines are necessary for national security considerations, especially along sensitive borders.