“NEGLECTED” ANTI-VEHICLE MINES DISCUSSED DURING ONE-DAY INFORMAL MEETING

GENEVA – A one-day informal meeting on 6 November on the issue of Mines Other Than Anti-Personnel Mines, also known as anti-vehicle mines (AVMs), brought together States, United Nations experts, international organizations, field operators and civil society.

The meeting examined the challenges and humanitarian impact of AVMs. As was noted in a recent study by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute: “AVMs have always had a humanitarian impact, but their significance has often been overshadowed by the higher profile topic of anti-personnel mines, and thus the need to address AVMs has been neglected.” The meeting was aimed at increasing the understanding on the challenges posed by AVMs and continuing the dialogue on possible solutions to and ways forward on this issue.

While a range of views were expressed, a number of speakers expressed concern that existing regulations and restrictions in international humanitarian law applicable to AVMs are inadequate in responding to the continuing humanitarian and developmental impact of these weapons. A range of measures have been considered by States in the past on their use and design. Still, this issue remains unresolved.

“The lack of regulation on anti-vehicle mines contributes to the indiscriminate harm they cause. As a result, entire communities have been held hostage, through blockages to the delivery of aid and obstructions to the free movement of people. Long after a conflict has ended.” stated UNOG Director-General Michael Møller in his closing address to the meeting.

The meeting was jointly organised by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD).


For use of the information media; not an official record

DC15/048E