Conventional Weapons - PR to the Conference of Disarmament, Geneva
Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons
The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) is a framework treaty prohibiting the use of weapons which are deemed to be inhumane. The Treaty now has five separate protocols on non-detectable fragments, landmines, booby traps, incendiary weapons, blinding laser weapons, and the clearance of explosive remnants of war. Since 1983, 126 countries have joined the Convention. As an active participant of multilateral cooperation on arms control, the Netherlands was the initiator of Protocol V on Explosive Remnants of War.
The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) is a framework treaty prohibiting the use of weapons which are deemed to be inhumane. The Treaty now has five separate protocols on non-detectable fragments, landmines, booby traps, incendiary weapons, blinding laser weapons, and the clearance of explosive remnants of war. Since 1983, 126 countries have joined the Convention. As an active participant of multilateral cooperation on arms control, the Netherlands was the initiator of Protocol V on Explosive Remnants of War.
Currently, States Parties to the CCW are discussing measures related to the Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS), i.e. weapons systems that can independently identify and apply force a to targets. The Netherlands considers that the existing legal and normative framework fully applies to LAWS. This framework includes not only International Humanitarian Law (IHL), but also other relevant legal provisions of international law, such as human rights law. Weapons that cannot be used in accordance with this framework should be explicitly prohibited. On LAWS with functions that can be used in accordance with IHL, more clarity is needed through providing additional regulation.
The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention
The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APBMC), also known as the Ottawa Treaty, entered into force in 1999. Presently, 164 countries are member to the Convention. Under the Convention the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of landmines are prohibited. Aside from this, countries are obliged to destroy their stockpiles, clear mined areas, and assist mine victims.The Netherlands is a core donor for global efforts to support the clearance of landmines throughout the World. Through a tender system with multi-annual financing, the Netherlands supports four organisations that are active in mine and cluster munitions activities in 12 countries. The Netherlands advocates for the implementation of the Convention-related obligations before 2025.