Humanitarian law is intended to protect civilians in conflict areas. It restricts the means and methods of warfare and focuses on principles such as proportionality, distinction and precaution. Nevertheless, we are seeing a worldwide erosion of compliance with these rules. Treaties on landmines, cluster munitions and nuclear weapons are under pressure. PAX and the Red Cross warn that if the Netherlands wants to remain committed to international law, we must defend these standards unequivocally – even if allies violate them.
These rules are specifically intended to protect citizens in times of conflict.
Landmines
Anti-personnel landmines do not distinguish between military personnel and civilians. They remain dangerous for decades after a conflict has ended. In 2024, there were 6,279 victims, 90 per cent of whom were civilians. The Ottawa Treaty, which prohibits the use of these weapons, is now being abandoned by five EU countries because of the Russian threat in Ukraine. We emphasise once again: Russia’s use of landmines is reprehensible, but that does not legitimise their use by Ukraine or other allies. Selective understanding of treaty violations undermines international norms.
Cluster munitions
Clustermunitie verspreidt honderden kleine explosieven over een groot gebied. Een deel daarvan ontploft niet direct, en vormt nog lange tijd na de oorlog een gevaar. Ook hier geldt: het verdrag dat deze wapens verbiedt, staat onder druk. De Verenigde Staten leveren clustermunitie aan Oekraïne, Rusland gebruikt clustermunitie op grote schaal. Litouwen stapte in 2025 uit het verdrag. PAX roept Nederland op om consequent op te treden tegen landen die clustermunitie gebruiken, leveren of produceren.
Nuclear arms
Nuclear weapons are the most destructive weapons ever made. They do not comply with humanitarian law and cause unprecedented suffering. Yet nuclear-weapon states are investing heavily in their arsenals. Within the EU, there is open discussion about European nuclear weapons, which undermines the standards of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The Netherlands must make nuclear disarmament a priority.
It is unacceptable that international standards are being called into question at a time when the threat of war is increasing. These rules are specifically intended to protect civilians in times of conflict. If the EU wants to call itself a community of values, it must support these treaties unreservedly. The Netherlands must take the lead in this.
We therefore make three concrete proposals:
- The Netherlands must commit fully to the Ottawa Treaty, the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
- The Netherlands must exert diplomatic pressure on countries that abandon or violate treaties against landmines and cluster munitions.
- Nuclear disarmament must be given priority in the new government policy and the Netherlands must speak out against European nuclear weapons and the resumption of nuclear testing.
