Parliament approved Finland’s withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty banning anti-personnel landmines by a vote of 157–18 during a plenary session in Helsinki on 19 June 2025. Photo: Markku Ulander / Lehtikuva
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The Finnish Parliament has approved the government’s proposal to withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty, reversing the country’s long-standing commitment to banning anti-personnel landmines. The decision passed with 157 votes in favour and 18 against, with no abstentions and 24 members absent.
The move, announced in April, allows the Finnish Defence Forces to reintroduce landmines as part of the country’s military strategy. Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said landmines are a defensive weapon and especially suited to Finland’s terrain.
“We see how Russia uses mines, fortifies positions, and mobilises infantry in its assaults. Mines fit particularly well with the defence of Finland’s wide and broken terrain,” Häkkänen stated.
Finland joined the Ottawa Treaty in 2012, after years of domestic political debate. The treaty, signed in 1997, bans the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Most EU member states joined shortly after its adoption.
The vote revealed internal tensions within the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP). Although all SDP members present voted for withdrawal, nine were absent from the session. Some of them, including Johan Kvarnström, had previously voiced their opposition. Kvarnström stated he would not vote for the reintroduction of landmines. Other absent members included Kimmo Kiljunen, Krista Kiuru, Timo Harakka, and Elisa Gebhard.
Gebhard attended earlier parliamentary business that morning but did not return for the landmine vote. Anna-Kristiina Mikkonen cited late pregnancy travel restrictions as her reason for absence and said she would have supported withdrawal.
SDP’s parliamentary group leader Tytti Tuppurainen confirmed the group would review reasons for the absences individually. “I will not speculate on any disciplinary action. The starting point is that we act in accordance with our joint position,” she said.
The party had decided not to grant permission for dissenting votes. Seven MPs had sought exemption to oppose the government’s plan but were denied. Observers link this to the unusually high number of SDP absences.
Only one government MP, Eva Biaudet of the Swedish People’s Party, voted against the withdrawal. Left Alliance MPs and seven Greens also opposed the decision. Left Alliance MP Veronika Honkasalo submitted a dissenting opinion, criticising the speed of the decision and warning of its impact on global disarmament efforts.
Honkasalo argued the move undermines international treaty frameworks. She also questioned the government’s commitment to humanitarian mine action. Parliament, however, adopted a statement affirming Finland’s continued support for humanitarian demining operations in conflict areas.
Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee supported the withdrawal, stating that the changing security environment justified the return of landmines. It described the weapon as necessary under deteriorating defence conditions.
Finland’s security policy has shifted since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The country joined NATO in 2023 and has sought to bolster its defensive posture. The use of landmines is now seen as part of this recalibration.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
