Mine Action in Action: Influencing Law and Policy on Toxic Remnants of War

Dec 21, 2021 | Bonnie Docherty
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Mine action, which aims to reduce the effects of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), provides a valuable model for assisting victims of and remediating the environment contaminated by toxic remnants of war (TRW). It is a core component of humanitarian disarmament, an approach to governing weapons that seeks to remediate as well as to prevent arms-inflicted harm. Mine action was designed for landmines and ERW, but it can guide efforts to mitigate TRW. In 2017, the TPNW became the first treaty to require States parties to address TRW, in this case, contamination from the use and testing of nuclear weapons. 

Mine action has already significantly influenced the international law relevant to TRW. It seeks to address similar problems for similar reasons with similar activities. First, ERW and TRW both cause immediate and long-term physical injuries, psychological harm, and socioeconomic exclusion. They also deny people access to their land and exacerbate displacement. Second, mine action is motivated by the same humanitarian goals that drive efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of conflict—i.e., to address victims’ needs and ensure their rights can be realized. Third, the mine action pillars of clearance, risk education, victim assistance, and advocacy parallel the remedial measures required to deal with TRW.