Goto main content

Toward a political declaration against bombing in populated areas

Explosive weapons
International

On Monday, 18 November, at the United Nations in Geneva, States’ delegations, militaries, UN agencies and civil society will gather to start discussions on a political declaration against the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

The Vienna conference, on October 1 and 2, gathered 133 States. A majority committed to develop a political declaration against the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

The Vienna conference, on October 1 and 2, gathered 133 States. A majority committed to develop a political declaration against the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. | © HI

The negotiations, starting with this first meeting in Geneva, will be followed by another round of consultations early next year and should culminate at a conference scheduled for late spring 2020 in Dublin, where a political declaration will be opened for endorsements.

HI and members of the International Network of Explosive Weapons (INEW) are working with States to convince them to fully support a strong political declaration to end the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas and to ensure support the victims of these weapons.

 

“These first discussions are crucial to prepare a draft of the political declaration. During this first round of negotiations, we want to secure 3 points: to ensure that the declaration will call on states to ‘stop’ using explosive weapons in populated areas, to include obligations for states to assist victims and their communities and to require militaries to share good policies and practice for the protection of civilians in armed conflicts.”

Anne Héry, HI Advocacy Director

Call your MPs

HI calls for citizens’ support to mobilize parliamentarians in 7 countries (Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, United Kingdom) and ensure that governments will commit to the cause: Citizens are invited to write to their MPs on a dedicated internet platform to ask their government to support the declaration against the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

Unacceptable casualties

Armed conflicts are increasingly fought in populated areas; mainly cities. The impact of the use of explosive weapons is devastating for civilians: According to Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) 20,384 civilians were killed or injured by explosive weapons in 2018. When explosive weapons are used in populated areas, 90% of the victims are civilians.

The use of explosive weapons in populated areas also leads to the destruction of essential infrastructures like houses, hospitals, schools etc. and leaves massive contamination with unexploded ordnances, which is one of the key drivers of forced displacement.

The Vienna Conference, October 2019

The three rounds of negotiations were launched in October at the Vienna Conference “Protecting Civilians in Urban Warfare”, gathering 133 States. A majority announced their willingness to work on a political declaration to end human suffering caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

Where your
support
helps

PRESS CONTACT

CANADA

Marie-Emmanuelle Cadieux

 

Help them
concretely

To go further

HI certified as a “Specialised Emergency Rehabilitation” Team by the WHO
© B. Blondel / HI
Emergency

HI certified as a “Specialised Emergency Rehabilitation” Team by the WHO

HI is certified by the World Health Organisation for its expertise in emergency rehabilitation.

In more than a third of countries worldwide, civilians are victims of explosive weapons
© HI
Explosive weapons Protect vulnerable populations Rights

In more than a third of countries worldwide, civilians are victims of explosive weapons

The annual report of the Explosive Weapons Monitor reveals that civilians in 74 countries are affected by bombing and shelling. Civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure are increasing as armed conflicts and geopolitical tensions rise, at the expense of international humanitarian law. 

The Ottawa Treaty is crucially important to reinforcing Canada’s resolve and protecting civilian lives
© A.Eggerstorfer / HI
Explosive weapons Prevention Protect vulnerable populations Rights

The Ottawa Treaty is crucially important to reinforcing Canada’s resolve and protecting civilian lives

The looming threat of Russia has led to five Eastern European members announcing they will withdraw from the Mine Ban Treaty in the last months, marking the first time any country has left the agreement and prompting concerns about its future.