After a review of landmine policy, the U.S. State Department has again refused to sign the international Mine Ban Treaty. The treaty prohibits the production, trade, stockpiling, and use of landmines. Over 150 nations are already signatories of the 10-year-old treaty.
According to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, the explosives caused over 5,000 casualties in 2008, a third of which were children. U.S. officials cited “defense needs” and “security commitments” as to why the policy remains unchanged.
The truth is that the U.S. government refuses to surrender any useful tactical weapon. In addition to landmines, it still uses cluster bombs that continue to maim and kill even after the end of hostilities. Post-war casualties are often children.
The review comes just before an international meeting on landmines in December in Cartagena, Colombia. State Department spokesperson Ian Kelly stated that the United States will be sending observers to the conference and that the country has no plans to sign the convention.
