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June 30, 2014

U.S. to Abide by Land Mine Treaty, but No Immediate Ratification 
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The Obama administration has signaled its intent to eventually sign an
international convention banning the use, stockpiling, production or
transfer of antipersonnel land mines. The White House initially
announced in 2009 it would continue U.S. policy of rejecting the treaty,
but then walked back its stance by saying the treaty was under review.
Five years later, the administration now says it intends to eventually
sign the treaty, but not in the near future. In a statement Friday, the
administration said it will immediately stop adding to its stockpile of
nine million landmines and take further steps that would eventually
allow for ratification. In a statement, Human Rights Watch welcomed the
new stance but added: "It makes no sense for the U.S. to acknowledge the
weapons should be banned because of the humanitarian harm they cause
while retaining the option to use them for years to come."

 

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