The parliament on Thursday approved the proposal on Finland´s withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines.
The proposal was passed in a plenary session by 157 votes to 18, said the Parliament in a press release.
Through the approval the e Parliament gave its consent to Finland’s withdrawal from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, adopted in Oslo on 18 September 1997 (also known as Ottawa Convention or Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention).
The withdrawal will take effect six months after the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who serves as the Depository of the Convention, has received Finland’s instrument of withdrawal.
Finland acceded to the Convention in 2012.
Earlier in May 2025, the government approved a proposal on withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention.
On 1 April 2025, the government decided to begin the preparations for withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention.
The decision was based on a report by the Defence Forces and on preparatory work by officials at the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
News agency Xinhua adds: Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said the decision enhances Finland's security posture and stressed that any use of anti-personnel mines would be "responsible" and limited to situations in which the country is under attack.
The parliament also passed a separate resolution affirming Finland's continued support for global mine action, including clearance operations in conflict zones. Lawmakers pledged that any use of landmines in wartime would be thoroughly documented to ensure future removal.
The Ottawa Convention was signed in 1997 and came into force in 1999. In March, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, as well as Poland, have also announced plans to exit the treaty.
- Parliament
- Approves
- withdrawal
- Ottawa Convention
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
