Attachments
1 Introduction
Every day, mines and other explosive ordnance kill and injure dozens of people. Casualty rates have risen again in recent years, demonstrating the continued need for humanitarian mine action.
The survivors of mine accidents usually suffer permanent disabilities with serious social, psychological and economic consequences for them and their families.
Finally, it should be noted that the end of an armed conflict does not bring immediate relief to the affected population: mines and other unexploded ordnance remain active even after the conflict has ended.
For these reasons, Switzerland considers it its humanitarian duty to support the affected people in dealing with these threats.
Not only individuals, but also societies are affected by mines and other explosive ordnance. The danger remains, making entire areas no longer useable for many years or decades. As a result, displaced persons are unable to return to their homes. The cultivation of fields, the reconstruction of destroyed buildings and infrastructure and thus social and economic development are prevented. The affected population often lives in fear. Humanitarian actors and peacekeepers are also at risk. A return to normality is made impossible.
Mine action contributes to alleviating the social, economic and environmental impacts of mines and other explosive ordnance. On the one hand, it is directly concerned with preventing accidents and new suffering. On the other hand, it aims to enable the sustainable development of the affected communities. For this reason, in addition to the actual clearance work, it also includes Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), victim assistance, the advocacy for the ban of anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions, and the destruction of stockpiles.
Terminology
In this Action Plan, the terms ‘mines and other explosive ordnance’ are used to comprehensively describe the various sources of risk. These may be anti-personnel or anti-vehicle mines, including of improvised nature, cluster munitions or other explosive remnants of war. The term ‘mine action’ explicitly includes the humanitarian clearance of explosive remnants of war.
Switzerland has been active in mine action for over 30 years. In its ¥Arms Control and Disarmament Strategy 2022–2025](https://www.eda.admin.ch/content/dam/eda/en/documents/aussenpolitik/strategien/strategie-ruestungskontrolle-und-abruestung-2022-2025-EN.pdf) (ADN strategy), it has committed itself to continuing to contribute to reducing the negative effects of conventional weapons. The present Action Plan specifically implements measure D1 of the ADN strategy and foresees actions in three fields: Firstly, Switzerland promotes the normative framework. Secondly, it supports affected states through mine action on the ground. Thirdly, Switzerland takes advantage of opportunities for innovative approaches to further advance the field. Within the framework of the foreign policy strategy cascade, this Action Plan replaces the Mine Action Strategy 2016–2022 of the FDFA and the DDPS.
Within the framework of the core foreign policy documents, there are connections to the International Cooperation Strategy 2021–24, the Dispatch on Measures to Strengthen Switzerland’s Role as a Host State 2020–2023, and the Dispatch on a Framework Credit for the Continuation of Support to the three Geneva Centres 2020–2023. In addition, the Federal Council Security Policy Report of 24 November 2021 underscores that the universalisation and implementation of the bans on anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions as a measure in the area of arms control and disarmament contribute to the stability and predictability of the security policy environment. Furthermore, the supplemental report dated 7 September 2022 mentions partnership activities in the field of mine action.