Demand for ban on landmines
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Government is coming under increasing pressure to support a ban on anti-personnel mines at the start of a United Nations conference on the weapons that kill or maim more than 25,000 people a year.
The meeting in Geneva, which begins today, is part of an review of the Inhumane Weapons Convention, designed to protect civilians from the mines. An estimated 110 million anti-personnel mines are scattered across 62 countries such as Afghanistan, Angola and Cambodia, devastating communities and economic growth.
British officials will support a plan to allow the use only of mines which self-destruct over time. But opposition parties, aid agencies, and Church leaders have joined 27 countries in calling for a total ban.
On Saturday, at rallies across Britain, they said Britain must take the moral lead. Labour's defence spokesman, David Clark, said: "The Government has dragged its feet for too long . . . It should set an example by immediately supporting a ban on the trade of all anti-personnel mines."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments