German Parliament Debates Withdrawal From Anti-Personnel Mine Ban

The German parliament is discussing the country’s possible withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty, which prohibits the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel mines.

Roderich Kiesewetter, a member of the Bundestag from the ruling Christian Democratic Union of Germany, has voiced support for the move.

Speaking on ZDF television, he argued that Germany should leave the treaty in light of the threat from Russia.

Kiesewetter said he supported a temporary withdrawal from the convention.

“I support a temporary withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty until Russia recognizes the right of neighboring states to exist,” he said.

He also referred to the decisions by several European NATO members to abandon the treaty, noting that they “feel themselves increasingly threatened.”

Kiesewetter also pointed to Russia’s widespread use of anti-personnel mines in its war against Ukraine.

According to German media, withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty is a multi-step process. The federal government must first formally notify the United Nations, after which a six-month waiting period begins before the treaty obligations lapse. Bundestag approval is not required for Germany to exit international treaties.

Who else is withdrawing from the convention

In late June, the Polish Sejm voted to withdraw from the treaty. The decision was supported by 413 lawmakers, with 15 opposed and three abstentions.

Poland is not alone. Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Finland have also initiated procedures to withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty.

On July 15, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law suspending Ukraine’s participation in the treaty, following a vote by the Verkhovna Rada.