Anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions have been banned for their harmful effects on civilians. Treaties such as the Mine Ban Treaty (1997) and the Convention on Cluster Munitions (2008) focus on human security, requiring weapon clearance and victim assistance, and inspiring broader humanitarian disarmament efforts.

After completing the unit you will be able to:

• identify the key features of humanitarian arms control;
• distinguish between traditional arms control and humanitarian arms control;
• apply a humanitarian framework to analyse conflict and emerging weapons issues;
• understand current challenges to the consolidation and strengthening of humanitarian arms control.