Banner on Broken Chair Protests Baltic States' Withdrawal from Mine Ban Treaty

In a powerful protest against five European nations planning to withdraw from the Mine Ban Treaty, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and Handicap International (HI) unveiled a massive banner on Geneva's iconic Broken Chair sculpture on 2 June 2025. The banner delivers an urgent message targeting Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, who announced their intention to quit the treaty in February and March 2025. 

A Historic First in Treaty History

This potential mass withdrawal represents an unprecedented crisis for the Mine Ban Treaty. Tamar Gabelnick, Director of ICBL, emphasized the gravity of the situation: 

"If confirmed, these withdrawals would be a first in the history of humanitarian disarmament. The ban on mines, which kill and injure 85% civilians, was achieved through intense struggle and resulted in the adoption of the Mine Ban Treaty in Ottawa in 1997."

The five nations cite concerns about potential Russian aggression as justification for wanting to deploy these "barbaric weapons." However, ICBL and other humanitarian organizations argue that landmines offer limited military utility while guaranteeing devastating long-term consequences for civilian populations, making their humanitarian costs far outweigh any tactical advantages.

Why This Matters Now

The timing is critical: From June 17-20, states party to the treaty will meet in Geneva for intersessional talks, the first gathering since the five nations signaled their intent to quit the convention. This conference aims to monitor state parties' progress in implementing treaty obligations, including land decontamination, victim assistance, and destruction of landmine stockpiles.

ICBL has long stated that any withdrawal from the treaty would:
 

• Shatter 25 years of progress that reduced annual landmine casualties from approximately 25,000 in 1999 to under 5,000 in 2023
• Undermine the near-universal norm banning these indiscriminate weapons, currently endorsed by 165 nations
• Reverse the significant reduction in contaminated areas, which decreased from 99 states and regions in 1999 to 58 in 2024
• Endanger civilians globally by legitimizing weapons that kill or maim civilians in 84% of cases

Current Global Reality

The threat remains urgent worldwide. In 2023, landmines and explosive remnants of war killed or injured 5,757 people according to the 2024 Landmine Monitor Report — a 22% increase from 2022's 4,709 victims. Civilians represented 84% of recorded casualties, with victims documented across 55 states and regions.

The countries with the highest casualty rates in 2023 were Myanmar (1,003), Syria (933), Afghanistan (651), Ukraine (580), and Yemen (499). Current users of antipersonnel mines include Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, and Russia, with Russia extensively deploying these weapons in Ukraine. 

The Stakes for Europe

The potential withdrawals fracture European unity on humanitarian law and risk triggering a domino effect. As Gabelnick noted: 

"In this extremely tense geopolitical context, we do not question the need for certain European states to prepare concretely for the possibility of conflict. But the choice of defense means must remain compatible with international humanitarian law."

Key concerns include:
* Landmines deployed in Ukraine by Russia have caused 580 civilian casualties in 2023 alone
* EU leadership on banning indiscriminate weapons is now compromised
* The withdrawal concerns all other state parties, who must react and make every effort to defend the treaty

Symbolism of the Broken Chair

The 12-meter-tall sculpture—created by artist Daniel Berset for HI in 1997 to advocate for the mine ban—serves as a visceral reminder of the weapons' human cost. Originally conceived to convince states to ban antipersonnel mines (1997) and later cluster munitions (2008), Broken Chair now embodies "the desperate cry of civilian populations battered by war" and reminds states of their obligation to protect and assist them.

The banner installation was preceded by a press event on 5 June at 10:00-11:00 AM, featuring campaigners and survivors speaking about the urgent need to protect the antipersonnel mine ban. The banner will remain in place throughout June 2025, directly confronting delegates attending the treaty meetings.

A Coordinated Response

ICBL and HI are calling for a comprehensive international response, urging all states to:

1. Reaffirm their commitment against antipersonnel mines
2. Defend the Mine Ban Treaty
3. Encourage Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland to remain in the Ottawa Treaty
4. Publicly condemn the proposed withdrawals
5. Strengthen commitments to land clearance and victim assistance

The campaign emphasizes that while security concerns are understandable, alternatives exist that comply with international humanitarian law without resorting to weapons that cause indiscriminate, long-term civilian harm.

The message is Clear

In a world where 85% of mine victims are civilians, there can be no retreat from the progress achieved over the past 25 years. The fight to maintain the landmine ban is ultimately a fight for the protection of innocent lives everywhere.