This is Joe Biden’s second major strategic pivot in just a few days, but it is proving more controversial, with considerable humanitarian and economic consequences for Ukrainians. The US president authorized the supply of antipersonnel mines to Ukraine to help it stop the Russian advance, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced on Wednesday, November 20. Three days earlier, Joe Biden had authorized kyiv to attack Russia in depth with long-range US missiles, the ATACMS.
Washington justifies its decision on antipersonnel mines by a change in tactics on the part of the Russians. According to Mr. Austin, “Their mechanized forces are no longer in the lead. They advance on foot to approach and carry out actions to make way for the mechanized forces.. Ukraine therefore “We need ways that can help slow this effort”he explained.
Neither the United States nor Russia are signatories to the Antipersonnel Mine Ban Convention, adopted in 1997 and signed by 164 states, but Ukraine is. This international disarmament treaty, also called the Ottawa Convention, prohibits the acquisition, production, stockpiling and use of antipersonnel mines.
Civilians, first victims
Joe Biden’s decision sparks outrage among international organizations specialized in the fight against antipersonnel mines. Asked about the worldHandicap International denounces a measure ” awful “ whose humanitarian impact will be “catastrophic”. In fact, 84% of the victims of antipersonnel mines in the world are civilians, 35% of whom are children, states the Landmine Monitor in its latest report, published on Wednesday, a few hours before the report was made public. American decision.
“Ukrainian civilians will be the first victims of these weapons, with very long-term consequences. warns Elliot de Faramond, spokesperson for Handicap International. Furthermore, mines kill without distinction between civilians and soldiers, which contravenes international humanitarian law. » If Ukraine used them, it would constitute a “flagrant violation” of the Ottawa Convention.
The American decision constitutes a “dangerous precedent”adds Elliot de Faramond, who fears a weakening of the Ottawa Treaty, although he has “proof of its effectiveness” : In 1999, antipersonnel mines caused 25,000 victims (injured or dead), compared to 5,757 in 2023, of which 580 in Ukraine, according to the Landmine Monitor.
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