Q: Aren’t improvised explosive devices (IEDs) considered land mines? I know that some terror groups are using them, but are any countries that actually signed a treaty governing the devices ignoring their pledge? If so, what is the U.N. doing?
—Harvey Apple, Sandy Springs
A: Land mines and "victim-activated" antipersonnel IEDs are prohibited by the Mine Ban Treaty, but IEDs that are controlled remotely or "command-detonated," aren't prohibited.
An antipersonnel mine is “designed to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a person,” according the Mine Ban Treaty, which became law in 1999 and prohibits the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of victim-activated antipersonnel IEDs.
There was confirmed “new use” of antipersonnel mines by government forces in Myanmar, North Korea and Syria from October 2014 to October 2015, Jeff Abramson, project manager of the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, told Q&A on the News in an email.
Myanmar, North Korea and Syria are among the 35 countries that “remain outside the treaty” – 162 have signed it — according to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (icbl.org).
The United States, Russia and China also are among the countries that have not signed the treaty.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently said his report at next month’s World Humanitarian Summit will highlight “the unacceptable impact of mines and explosive remnants of war on civilians.”
“There is a great deal happening under the treaty, as well as many condemnations of hostilities in which IEDs are used,” Abramson wrote.
The Cluster Munition Monitor provides research to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and the Cluster Munition Coalition.
Andy Johnston with Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
About the Author
