Contamination and Impact

The Republic of Hungary was affected by mines as a result of the inaccurate emplacement of mines along the border with Croatia by Croatian forces during the armed conflict associated with the break-up of the former Yugoslavia during the early 1990s, and as a result of natural processes causing mines to shift across from the Croatian border. Hungary is affected by a legacy of unexploded ordnance (UXO), mostly remaining from World War II.

Mines

Hungary was contaminated with landmines. While mines were emplaced mainly on the Croatian side of the border during the conflict in the first half of the 1990s, Hungary identified a suspected hazardous area along the Hungarian side of the border between the municipalities of Matty and Kölked that was 79.6km long and varying in width from a few centimeters to a few meters.[1] Hungary believed that less than 100 mines (thought to include PMR-2, PMR-2A, and OMSZ-2 antipersonnel mines) might have been found on its territory due to inaccurate emplacement or due to movement of mines caused by weather and soil erosion. The area was reported as being unpopulated and covered by dense vegetation, and Hungary stated that any impact from contamination was minimal.[2]

In October 2013, Hungary announced to the UN General Assembly (UNGA) First Committee that it had completed clearance of all known mined areas and was mine-free.[3] Hungary subsequently made a formal declaration of completion at the Mine Ban Treaty Thirteenth Meeting of States Parties on 4 December 2013.[4]

Mine Action Program

With financial support from the European Union, Hungary established a joint program, “Rehabilitation of land mine contaminated sites in the Drava-Danube area,” in cooperation with the Croatian Mine Action Centre (CROMAC) to survey and, if necessary, clear its border with Croatia in 2011–2013. The plan provided for completion of a survey to define the extent of any contamination and establish a Hungarian Mine Information Database, with all clearance to be completed by the end of August 2013.[5]

Hungary completed a general survey and marking of suspected mined areas between 26 March and 13 August 2012 through the Hungarian company Lanfarm Ltd,[6] completing Phase I of the program. Phase II consisted of clearance of confirmed and suspected mined areas and the environmental rehabilitation of the cleared areas. Clearance was reported as completed by 7 September 2013, while environmental rehabilitation activities were ongoing.[7]

Hungary reported that a total of €3.5 million euro had been allocated to the police of Baranya County (Hungary) and CROMAC to carry out the survey and clearance activities necessary.

The clearance, removal, and destruction of explosive remnants of war (ERW) within the territory of Hungary is the responsibility of the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit of the Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF), according to Government Regulation 142/1999.[8]

Land Release

Hungary conducted a general survey of 1,007,747m² of suspected mine-affected land between 26 March–13 August 2012, during the first phase of the program.[9]

Mine clearance

Begun in May 2013, Croatian demining operator Dok-Ing Demining Ltd completed clearance operations the following September, releasing 997,881m² through clearance and cancelling 9,866m², destroying five antipersonnel mines (2 PMR-2A mines, 3 PMA-2 remnants), one antitank mine remnant, and an additional 25 items of UXO.[10]

While clearance activities reportedly proceeded according to the timetable without any delays, CROMAC requested a two-month extension due to “extensive floods” which meant that, on the whole, project implementation was slightly longer than planned.[11]

A closing event for the joint Hungarian-Croatian project was held in Harkány, Southern Hungary on 25 October.[12]

Article 5 Compliance

Under Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty, Hungary was required to destroy all antipersonnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control as soon as possible, but not later than 1 March 2009. In accordance with Article 5, each State Party is required to make “every effort to identify all areas under its jurisdiction or control in which antipersonnel mines are known or suspected to be emplaced.”

Hungary only reported the possible presence of antipersonnel mines on its territory in 2011, although it had earlier sought funding from the European Commission for survey and clearance. Hungary did not request an extension to its Article 5 deadline prior to its expiration in 2009, but reported on its plans at the Twelfth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty and 2013 intersessional meetings. Hungary reported completion of clearance of all known mined areas in October 2013 and subsequently made a formal declaration of completion at the Thirteenth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in December 2013.[13]