The combined National Defence and abroad Affairs Commissions adopted a draft law on the termination of the Ottawa Convention prohibiting the usage of anti-personnel mines. – possible opponents can exploit the imbalance of military capabilities resulting from our legal and moral limitations," argued Paweł Zalewski, Secretary of State in the MON, presenting the reasons for this decision.
Debates on the termination of the Ottawa Convention take place not only in Poland. The Baltic States and Finland have besides taken a akin step. This is, of course, the consequence of a real threat from Russia. As Deputy Minister Pawel Zalewski stressed, the procedure follows Article 20 of the Treaty, which requires signatories to hold a six-month period of notice. He pointed out that this does not mean Poland's resignation from global humanitarian law. – Our values stay unchanged, despite the fact that our national defence tools evolve to meet increasing threats," he added.
“Poland remains bound by global humanitarian law to defend civilians during armed conflicts. We will proceed to respect and advance these principles. We are besides committed to complying with the Geneva Conventions and the revised Second Protocol to the CCW Convention, which sets out procedures for the usage of anti-personnel mines and restricts their application, even if the country is not a associate of the Ottawa Convention. Poland will take all essential measures to mitigate the possible effects of the usage of anti-personnel mines by establishing strict rules and procedures and the usage of modern technological solutions," Zalewski explained. In the course of the discussion, any Members raised humanitarian arguments, but the voices were overwhelming about the request to draw conclusions from the conflict in Ukraine, where, according to soldiers, anti-personnel mines delayed the Russian offensive.
– If there's a kinetic conflict, we'll have anti-personnel mines on our territory anyway. The question is whether it will be only Russian mines or ours, which we can defend," concluded Paweł Zalewski. Finally, in the vote on draft law 44 Members were in favour, 8 against and 1 abstention.
Changes to the Law on Defence of the Motherland
The National Defence Commission besides dealt with a draft law amending the Homeland Defence Act. As explained by Paweł Bejda, the Secretary of State in the MON, the geopolitical situation forces changes leading to the strengthening of the armed forces' numerical and qualitative personnel. This is primarily about changing the assessment of physical and intellectual abilities to different forms of military service. The fresh rules limit the anticipation of re-entering intellectual tests for the ability to service – participation in the following will be possible only after 1 year. At the same time, the amendments supply that the recruitment procedure for a individual applying for military service will proceed “without undue delay”.
As Paweł Bejda pointed out, it is crucial to introduce solutions that increase the motivation of soldiers and encourage them to learn, including abroad. If abroad discipline lasts longer than six months, a professional soldier can take his household with him. A peculiar witness will besides be introduced for specified soldiers. The amendments to the Act besides supply for motivational provision for professional soldiers in the course of education at a military college, a junior advanced school, a training centre or a training centre and for non-professional soldiers.
In addition, the fresh rules supply for an increase in compensation for the death of a soldier following an accident during military service. They besides receive pro-defence organisations that can benefit from targeted grants.
The task was aimed at further work in the Sejm.
