Lebanon joins the Ottawa Treaty: a strong signal for the protection of civilians

A decision that comes at a pivotal moment

The result of an unprecedented international campaign, to which HI actively contributed in the 1990s, the Mine Ban Treaty, also known as the Ottawa Treaty, prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel mines. A major step forward in international humanitarian law and the protection of civilian populations.

And yet, today, this treaty is faltering. It is being undermined by non-signatory states such as Russia, which is making extensive use of mines in Ukraine and elsewhere, by the United States, which recently transferred such weapons to Ukraine, and by the decision of five European states to withdraw from the Treaty. This is why Lebanon’s accession, against this backdrop of worrying setbacks, takes on particular significance.

“Having worked for nearly thirty years towards a mine-free world, we know that every new accession counts. Lebanon’s accession, in the current context, is far more than a symbolic gesture: it is a powerful reminder that anti-personnel mines do not protect people; they threaten them for decades after conflicts have ended. HI welcomes this courageous decision and stands ready to help translating into commitment”, Nahed Al-Khlouf, Director for HI Lebanon.

Strengthening commitment to protecting civilians and assisting victims

According to the Landmine Monitor 2025, over 90% of mine victims worldwide are civilians. By joining the treaty banning these weapons, Lebanon is placing the protection of the population at the heart of its policy – the treaty will enter into force for the country on November 1, 2026.

This accession is also in line with the multilateral commitments already made by Lebanon, which is a party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. The country is thus consolidating its commitment to coherent humanitarian disarmament.

At the same time, victim assistance must remain a key priority for the country. Survivors of mine-related accidents, many of whom live with permanent disabilities, must have access to inclusive, high-quality services, particularly in the areas of rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and socio-economic inclusion. This accession offers an opportunity to strengthen national systems and ensure that no one is left behind.

Restoring security and supporting reconstruction by tackling explosive remnants of war

Lebanon itself bears the scars of contamination from explosive ordnance, a painful legacy of successive conflicts that has caused deaths and injuries, disrupted livelihoods, and restricted access to land and services, particularly for people with disabilities.

Present in Lebanon since 1992, HI is currently working in the south of the country and in the Western Bekaa region to clear land that has become dangerous for thousands of people. The HI team, comprising around 10 people, began by clearing an area of over 2 square acres – discovering and neutralizing some 30 explosive remnants, most dating from the 1980s. As new ordnance was discovered beyond the initially defined areas, the site perimeter was gradually extended. The danger zone was reassessed, bringing the total area to be cleared to over 7 square acres, the equivalent of four fields.

“The scale of the task is immense. After a few months’ suspension due to the clashes, our demining operations were able to resume, and that is a real relief. In Mount Lebanon, where we are working, we have found ordnance that was nearly 40 years old! Proof that explosive weapons remain dangerous long after their initial use, which is tragic for civilians. HI’s demining activities are vital for the local population. Where we have cleared the land, life is returning to normal: new buildings are going up, and agricultural land is being farmed again… It is crucial that we continue our work,” said Adnan Araji, technical manager for demining at HI Lebanon.