These jeopardise peacekeeping operations which might justify Defence spending in western countries. A thoroughly unsatisfactory state of affairs if ever there was one. I hope in my peroration to make a passionate plea to African countries especially to take the forthcoming Review Conference seriously. I hope very much that we may see a change in the air to the good. First of all it is because the use of antipersonnel landmines flouts international humanitarian law and the legal prescriptions of binding conventions meant to make war more humane, if that is possible.
Mines are indiscriminate, making no distinction between civilian and combatant, friend and foe.
We have shown that most casualties are inflicted on civilians, unarmed innocent men, women and children. Civilians may not be directly attacked and indiscriminate attacks and the use of indiscriminate weapons is prohibited. It is prohibited to use weapons which cause unnecessary suffering. Therefore, the use of weapons whose damaging effects are disproportionate to their military purpose is prohibited. These rules have become part of customary international law and thus apply to all States irrespective of their treaty obligations.