Key facts
- At least 58 states and territories are contaminated by landmines.
- 945 people were killed and 4,325 injured by landmines and explosive remnants of war in 2024.
- Civilians made up approximately 90% of all recorded casualties in 2024.
- Myanmar, Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine recorded the highest casualty numbers.
- Children represent over 40% of civilian casualties of anti-personnel mines since 1999.
United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk stated on Tuesday that at least 58 states and territories are contaminated by anti-personnel mines, highlighting significant civilian casualties. According to the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, 945 people were killed and 4,325 injured by landmines and explosive remnants of war in 2024 alone. Civilians constituted approximately 90% of all recorded casualties where their status was known.
Myanmar, Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine reported the highest numbers of casualties in 2024, each recording more than 200. The International Campaign to Ban Landmines separately reported that mines and explosive remnants of war, including cluster munitions, killed or injured over 5,000 people in 2025, with civilians forming the vast majority. Türk's office also noted that children have made up more than 40% of all civilian casualties of anti-personnel mines recorded since 1999.
Beyond direct harm, anti-personnel mines render areas unusable, hindering rights, prolonging displacement, and preventing agricultural use. Türk expressed concern that nearly 30 years after the adoption of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty, these weapons continue to cause harm. He urged all states to recommit to ending the production, use, and transfer of these weapons and to intensify mine-clearing efforts.
While 162 states are parties to the Ottawa mine ban convention, Türk pointed out that some countries with substantial stockpiles are not members. Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland have recently withdrawn, and Ukraine is suspending its treaty implementation. Türk called for these states to promptly ratify or rejoin the treaty, while commending Lebanon's recent decision to join despite ongoing conflict.
Contributions to the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action have sharply decreased over the seven years to 2025, falling from $125 million to $46 million.