Anti-personnel landmines: an assessment of the political, security, and humanitarian considerations affecting a possible ban

Abstract

In a five year period since the end of the Cold War, increasing attention was paid by the international community to the proliferation of anti-personnel landmines (APMs). With one in every three countries affected by uncleared APMs, alarming statistics regarding civilian casualties caused by these indiscriminate weapons, and approximately 100 companies and government agencies in 48 countries manufacturing over 340 different types of APMs, the challenges posed by the problem were immense. This paper examines the nature of the problem and asks what are the best solutions to solve this problem, operationally and politically. What role has New Zealand played in implementing these solutions? The consistent interplay between pragmatists and idealists, sovereignty and universality, and other aspects central to understanding the issue will be demonstrated. The different actors and solutions available represent the multifaceted nature of the problem which, even if solved by a total ban, will continue to cause devastation for decades to come.