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Falkland Islands Demining

16 November 2020

Proposing MP
Aldridge-Brownhills
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The Falkland Islands have been declared mine-free under the Ottawa Convention, marking a significant milestone after over three decades of demining efforts.

Action Requested

No specific actions are requested; this statement is purely informational to announce the successful completion of the demining project in the Falkland Islands ahead of schedule.

Key Facts

  • The Falkland Islands were declared mine-free on November 14th under the Ottawa Convention.
  • Over 38 years were required for the project, involving British Armed Forces from 1982 to 2009 and civilian de-miners from 2009 to 2020.
  • The UK Government funded a programme that destroyed over 10,000 mines and unexploded ordnance.
  • A total of 23 million square meters of land was released for public use.
  • This achievement marks the UK's fulfilment of its legal obligation under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.
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