Reacting to the Trump Administration’s decision to reverse the United States’ ban on the use of anti-personnel landmines, Ben Linden, Advocacy Director for Europe and Central Asia for Amnesty International USA, said:
“The Pentagon’s reported landmine policy change would be a major setback for the protection of civilians in conflict zones.
“Antipersonnel landmines are inherently indiscriminate weapons that take a disproportionate toll on civilian lives, oftentimes long after conflicts end. Not only will this policy change put more civilians at increased risk of harm, but it will undermine global efforts to eliminate the use of these dangerous weapons.
“This landmine policy reversal would make the United States and its partners less safe by eroding the prohibition against the use of these indiscriminate weapons on the battlefield.
“Amnesty International urges the Trump administration to reconsider this devastating decision. The U.S. government must commit to taking all possible steps to prevent harm to civilians in conflict zones and supporting human rights globally.”
Background
The Pentagon’s decision to lift the United States’ prohibition on the use of anti-personnel landmines was detailed in a Department of Defense December 2, 2025 memo – first reported on December 19, 2025.
According to Landmine Monitor, at least 6,279 casualties of landmines were recorded in 2024. Civilians made up 90 percent of all recorded casualties, where the military or civilian status was known. Children accounted for 46 percent of civilian casualties, where the age group was recorded.
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