International Treaty Addressing UXO Left Over From War Takes Effect

An international treaty negotiated through the United Nations governing the cleanup of UXO left from war went into effect when it was ratified by 26 states. The treaty known as the Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War requires parties to an armed conflict to:

· Survey, mark and clear explosive remnants of war (ERW) in areas under their control after a conflict.
· Provide technical, material and financial assistance for the removal of ERW left by their armed forces in areas not under their control.
· Record information on explosive ordnance used or abandoned by their armed forces and share that information with organizations involved in clearance activities.
· Take all feasible precautions to protect civilians from the effects of ERW, including marking and fencing off dangerous areas and warning them of the risks.

Although major ordnance manufacturing nations like the U.S. and Russia have not yet signed the pact, it is the first landmark agreement setting guidelines for post-conflict removal of the UXO posing risks to civilians.

Source: United Nations Office at Geneva website http://www.unog.ch/80256EE600585943/(httpPages)/1DB747088014E6D7C12571C0003A0818?OpenDocument