Protocol II of the Convention prohibits the indiscriminate use of mines, and their intentional use against civilians. It also requires that remotely delivered landmines have effective self-destructing and self-deactivating mechanisms.

After three years of negotiations, an amendment to Protocol II was agreed upon in 1996. Unlike the initial Protocol II, Amended Protocol II (AP II) applies to non-international armed conflicts as well as conflicts between states. It also prohibits the use of antipersonnel mines that do not contain enough iron to be detected with standard demining equipment and regulates the transfer of landmines.

Amended Protocol II entered into force on 3 December 1998. It is deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations in New York. As of March 2013, there are 98 High contracting Parties to Amended Protocol II.

GICHD Statements / Presentations in 2013

  • ERW as a source of IEDs Erik Tollefsen, Advisor, Stockpile Destruction & Technology  PDF 141KB
  • Information Management in Mine Action Halil Radogoshi, Advisor, Information Management PDF 645KB

Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices as amended on 3 May 1996 (Amended Protocol II)

The Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to Amended Protocol II will take place on 13 November 2013.

More information on the UNOG website