CoE Commissioner called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to ratify mine ban treaty

Thomas Hammarberg – Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, called on the European states to ratify the Mine Ban Treaty signed in 1997.

“It is regrettable that such inhumane weapons are still used. It is high time that all European states ratify the Mine Ban Treaty and respect its provisions. The same goes for a prompt ratification of the new treaty banning cluster munitions,” reads the statement issued by Thomas Hammarberg on July 27.

The Commissioner noted that in spite of its paramount importance for Europe, six Council of Europe member states have still not ratified the treaty: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Finland, Poland and Russia.

“The presence of landmines and cluster munitions affects the entire fabric of society. They obstruct countries’ development after a conflict. They inhibit the return of displaced persons and hinder the reconstruction of affected areas,” the statement says.