Lithuania has officially withdrawn from an international convention prohibiting cluster bombs, a decision that has sparked widespread criticism from human rights organizations concerned about the implications for civilian safety. The move, announced on Thursday, is motivated by escalating security threats posed by neighboring Russia, particularly in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Baltic state, which has a population of approximately 2.8 million and has historical ties to the Soviet Union, seeks to bolster its defenses amid fears of potential aggression from Moscow. In addition to the withdrawal from the cluster munitions convention, Lithuania is contemplating a similar exit from another international treaty that bans anti-personnel landmines. This reconsideration reflects a broader shift in Lithuania’s defense posture as it aims to enhance its military capabilities in response to regional instability.
The Lithuanian parliament had initially voted to exit the cluster munitions convention last July, but it has taken nearly six months for the decision to become effective after submitting necessary documentation to the United Nations. This makes Lithuania the first country to leave the cluster munitions treaty, which was established in 2008, and it also marks it as the first European Union country to withdraw from a multilateral arms regulation agreement.
The use of cluster munitions has already been documented in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, neither of which are party to the convention. Lithuania’s Deputy Defence Minister, Karolis Aleksa, emphasized the need for a robust defense strategy, stating, “Russia uses all the instruments available in a conventional war,” and positioned the decision to withdraw as a critical step toward ensuring “effective deterrence and defense.” He argued that possessing such munitions would enhance their military effectiveness against large-area targets.
The convention itself comprises 112 state parties and 12 signatories, prohibiting the use, transfer, production, and stockpiling of cluster bombs. These weapons, capable of being deployed from aircraft or artillery, release numerous smaller bombs over broad areas, many of which often fail to detonate and subsequently pose long-term threats to civilians, akin to landmines.
International human rights organizations have expressed deep concerns over Lithuania’s recent decisions. Amnesty International has labeled the move as “disastrous,” while Human Rights Watch has labeled it “alarming,” both warning that it jeopardizes civilian lives. The organization Humanitarian Initiative (HI) urged Lithuania to reconsider, suggesting that this action could set a worrying precedent that encourages other nations to abandon their commitments to humanitarian disarmament, particularly during times of heightened security tension. Alma Taslidzan of HI remarked that the Oslo Convention has been effective in safeguarding civilians from the indiscriminate impacts of cluster munitions.
In response to the criticisms, Deputy Minister Aleksa assured that Lithuania would implement all necessary precautions to mitigate the consequences of potentially using cluster munitions, including plans to promptly remove unexploded ordnance following military operations. He acknowledged the destructive capabilities of these weapons, emphasizing that internal regulations regarding their use would be strictly adhered to.
In addition to its withdrawal from the cluster munitions convention, Lithuania’s government is also contemplating its position on the 1997 Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention, which has 164 state parties actively banning the use of landmines known for their devastating effects on civilian populations. Although military leaders support the discussion regarding anti-personnel landmines, government officials are cautious, waiting to see if other regional allies will follow suit before making a final decision. The evaluation process is ongoing in Finland, where military officials have been reviewing the possible reintroduction of anti-personnel landmines since the previous summer, though a decision on that front remains pending.
