Don’t let Europe bring back landmines

To the leaders of EU, NATO, Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
Petition
We call on you to stand with children, survivors, and the millions who fought to ban landmines. Walking away now would bury decades of progress and open the door to indiscriminate killing for decades to come. We call on you to stay in the landmine ban and stand on the side of humanity.
Why is this important?
Europe was a leader in banning landmines—a weapon that kills and maims people long after wars end. But now, several European countries are quietly preparing to bring these deadly threats back. [1]
People are still dying from landmines — even in Europe. In 2023 alone, over 6,000 civilians, many of them children, were killed or injured by mines buried decades ago. [2]
Landmines don’t distinguish between soldiers and children. They remain active for decades, turning fields, roads, and homes into death traps.
Despite all of this, Poland, Finland, and Estonia may quit the global landmine ban soon, as under pressure from the U.S. Latvia and Lithuania have already voted to leave. This move puts our lives in danger and rolls back 25 years of humanitarian progress.
We need to stop other countries from following in Latvia and Lithuania’s footsteps.
This June, politicians will gather in Geneva for the Mine Ban Treaty meeting. If we speak up now, our community’s thousands of voices can push key governments to act, before it’s too late.
A strong public outcry can force them to recommit to the landmine ban and protect civilians everywhere. Add your name today and call on EU governments to say NO to landmines.
References:
- https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/11/europe/europe-countries-landmine-ban-russia-intl
- https://www.the-monitor.org/reports/landmine-monitor-2024