The European Union, in a statement delivered on 26 June 2026 at the UN Human Rights Council's 62nd session, warned that anti-personnel mine contamination remains a profound human rights concern, killing and maiming civilians — disproportionately children — long after conflicts end, and obstructing humanitarian access and development. The EU pledged sustained financial support, noting it is one of the world's largest donors, contributing over EUR 200 million annually to mine action worldwide, and that the EU and its Member States have mobilised over EUR 360 million since 2022 for Ukraine, the most mine-contaminated country globally. This year, the EU also adopted a decision to strengthen African countries' mine-action programmes.
The statement, delivered during an interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner's report, reaffirmed the EU's commitment to the Ottawa Convention's Implementation Support Unit, which it has continuously funded since 2008, and to the Convention's Siem Reap-Angkor Action Plan. The EU stressed that international assistance must align with national ownership of affected states to achieve sustainable impact. It called for an integrated, rights-based, age-, gender-responsive and disability-inclusive approach to victim assistance, consistent with international human rights law, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The EU asked the High Commissioner what measures would be central in fulfilling obligations under international human rights law, particularly the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in addressing the impact of anti-personnel mines.