Campaigners sound alarm as European nations move to exit landmine ban

Finland, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania cite rising threats from Russia to justify once again using one of world's most indiscriminate weapons

Rights groups have expressed alarm and warned of a slippery slope" of again embracing one of the world's most treacherous weapons, after five European countries said they intend to withdraw from the international treaty banning antipersonnel landmines.

In announcing their plans earlier this year, Finland, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania all pointed to the escalating military threat from Russia. In mid-April, Latvia's parliament became the first to formally back the idea, after lawmakers voted to pull out of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, which bans the use, production and stockpiling of landmines designed for use against humans.