for use.
4. Explosive remnants of war means unexploded ordnance and abandoned explosive
ordnance.
5. Existing explosive remnants of war means unexploded ordnance and abandoned explosive
ordnance that existed prior to the entry into force of this Protocol for the High Contracting Party
on whose territory it exists.
Article 3
Clearance, removal or destruction of explosive remnants of war
1. Each High Contracting Party and party to an armed conflict shall bear the responsibilities set
out in this Article with respect to all explosive remnants of war in territory under its control. In
cases where a user of explosive ordnance which has become explosive remnants of war, does
not exercise control of the territory, the user shall, after the cessation of active hostilities,
provide where feasible, inter alia technical, financial, material or human resources assistance,
bilaterally or through a mutually agreed third party, including inter alia through the United
Nations system or other relevant organisations, to facilitate the marking and clearance,
removal or destruction of such explosive remnants of war.
2. After the cessation of active hostilities and as soon as feasible, each High Contracting Party
and party to an armed conflict shall mark and clear, remove or destroy explosive remnants of
war in affected territories under its control. Areas affected by explosive remnants of war which
are assessed pursuant to paragraph 3 of this Article as posing a serious humanitarian risk
shall be accorded priority status for clearance, removal or destruction.
3. After the cessation of active hostilities and as soon as feasible, each High Contracting Party
and party to an armed conflict shall take the following measures in affected territories under its
control, to reduce the risks posed by explosive remnants of war:
(a) survey and assess the threat posed by explosive remnants of war;
(b) assess and prioritise needs and practicability in terms of marking and clearance, removal
or destruction;
(c) mark and clear, remove or destroy explosive remnants of war;
(d) take steps to mobilise resources to carry out these activities.
4. In conducting the above activities High Contracting Parties and parties to an armed conflict
shall take into account international standards, including the International Mine Action
Standards.
5. High Contracting Parties shall co-operate, where appropriate, both among themselves and
with other states, relevant regional and international organisations and non-governmental
organisations on the provision of inter alia technical, financial, material and human resources
assistance including, in appropriate circumstances, the undertaking of joint operations
necessary to fulfil the provisions of this Article.
Article 4
Recording, retaining and transmission of information
1. High Contracting Parties and parties to an armed conflict shall to the maximum extent
possible and as far as practicable record and retain information on the use of explosive
ordnance or abandonment of explosive ordnance, to facilitate the rapid marking and
clearance, removal or destruction of explosive remnants of war, risk education and the
provision of relevant information to the party in control of the territory and to civilian populations