Finland Reverses Ban, Can Now Use Landmines

Finland has officially left an international treaty banning landmines. The withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention took effect on Friday. The move allows the Finnish military to once again use anti-personnel landmines. These are explosive devices designed to injure or kill people who step on them. Finland says the change is necessary for its national defense. The country joined the treaty in 2012 but never destroyed its stockpile. Officials cited changing security conditions, specifically Russia's war in Ukraine, for the decision to leave the pact. Over 160 countries are members of the Ottawa Convention. It requires them to never use, produce, or stockpile anti-personnel mines. Finland is the first European Union or NATO member to withdraw. Human rights groups strongly criticize the decision. They call landmines indiscriminate weapons that endanger civilians for decades after conflicts end. The Finnish government states it will use the weapons within the limits of international humanitarian law. It has not announced immediate plans to deploy new mines.