Description

This study examines the military case for continued use of anti-personnel landmines. Mines employed in conflicts since 1940, whether by professional armies, by insurgents or in counter-insurgency operations, have rarely been used in conformity with international law, and have little or no effect on the outcome of hostilities. These conclusions were unanimously endorsed by senior military commanders from various countries at a meeting on the subject held in Geneva in February 1996. 2004 updated and confirmed conclusions A Group of senior serving and retired officers formally met during the Nairobi Summit on a Mine Free World to review the 1996 ICRC Study “Anti-personnel Landmines, Friend or Foe?” with an aim to elaborate on the study based on experiences over the eight years since that study was completed.