Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention

• 22 Nov 2024

Source: LM 

Why in News? 

Recently, the United States has approved sending anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine which are banned under the Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention, 1997. 

• In another development, the US has supplied the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to Ukraine which can hit targets inside Russian territory. 

What is Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention,1997? 

• About: It is an international agreement that aims to eliminate the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. 
  • It is commonly referred to as the Ottawa Convention or Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty. 
• Adoption: It was concluded by the Diplomatic Conference on an International Total Ban on Anti-Personnel LandMines at Oslo on 18th September 1997 and entered into force on 1^st March 1999. 
• Scope: It prohibits anti-personnel mines but does not cover anti-vehicle mines. 
• Membership: The Convention is signed by 133 States. Today it has 164 States parties. 
  • The US, Russia and India are not party to the convention. Ukraine is a signatory. 

Anti-Personnel Landmines 

• Landmines are explosives that are concealed on the ground and are designed to detonate when enemy forces pass over or near them. 
• Anti-personnel mines are built to hurt enemy troops while anti-tank mines are built to destroy armoured vehicles.

Note:

ATACMS is a surface-to-surface ballistic missile designed to strike targets at a range of up to 300 km. It is powered by solid rocket propellant and follows a ballistic trajectory. 

• Ballistic trajectories are used to describe the paths of projectiles like missiles or artillery shells that are launched and then fall to their targets due to gravity. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year’s Questions (PYQs) 

Prelims

Q. Which one of the following is used as an explosive?(2009) 

(a) Phosphorus trichloride 

(b) Mercuric oxide 

(c) Graphite 

(d) Nitroglycerine 

Ans: (d)