ICBL Condemns Latvia’s Decision to Withdraw from the Mine Ban Treaty and Calls for Immediate Reversal

GENEVA, April 17, 2025 – The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), founded by Humanity & Inclusion (HI), along with five other organizations, strongly condemns Latvia’s hasty and misguided decision to withdraw from the Mine Ban Treaty, following a vote in the Latvian Parliament on April 16. This reckless step marks a serious setback to global humanitarian disarmament efforts and puts civilian lives at risk.

Tamar Gabelnick, Director of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, states,

“Today, Latvia has officially joined the ranks of pariah states that flout humanitarian norms and disregard the protection of civilians.” She continues, “It is incomprehensible and irresponsible of Latvia to claim to strengthen its defense by reintroducing indiscriminate, obsolete weapons that put civilians’—in particular children’s—lives and limbs at risk. By leaving the Mine Ban Treaty, Latvia is turning its back on 25 years of life-saving progress and aligning itself with the wrong side of history.”

 ICBL members worldwide sent hundreds of emails to Latvian lawmakers, urging them to keep their country in the Treaty. As a result, the ICBL was invited to present its views to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Latvian Parliament—unfortunately, just hours before the withdrawal decision was made. Despite these efforts, the Parliament appeared determined to proceed, regardless of the humanitarian consequences of this move.

 All European Union countries are members of the Mine Ban Treaty. By withdrawing, Latvia effectively stands apart from the EU consensus and aligns itself with regimes that take pride in weakening international humanitarian norms. As reported by the Landmine Monitor 2024, the only governments believed to use anti-personnel mines are Russia, Myanmar, North Korea, and Iran.

Zoran Ješić, an ICBL activist from Bosnia, who lost a leg to a landmine and now leads an organization empowering landmine survivors and other persons with disabilities, states,

 “Latvian lawmakers are under the illusion that they can reintroduce anti-personnel mines in compliance with international humanitarian law and use them as a deterrent against a potential Russian invasion. This belief is flawed.”

 The Latvian vote follows an announcement made last month by the Ministers of Defense of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, recommending withdrawal from the Treaty, and a recent announcement by Finland of its intention to do the same. These states are expected to withdraw in a coordinated manner and timeframe, with Lithuania set to consider the withdrawal bill in Parliament in the coming days.

ICBL had previously warned against Latvia’s intentions in a public statement released on March 19, 2025, calling on the government to reconsider this dangerous course of action. That statement can be accessed here. 

Gabelnick added,

“We urge Latvia—and all states considering similar action—to see reason and immediately reconsider. Withdrawal from the Mine Ban Treaty is not the path to safety. Security must not be built at the expense of civilians’ lives. It is never too late to do the right thing.”