Goto main content

Vienna Conference on Protecting Civilians in Urban Warfare

Emergency Explosive weapons Rehabilitation
International

The Vienna Conference is due to take place on October 1st and 2nd. HI Disarmament and protection of civilians Advocacy Manager Alma Taslidžan Al-Osta explains the final preparations:

Example of destruction in a city in Syria

Example of destruction in a city in Syria | © HI

This conference is crucial. Hundreds of participants (state delegations, NGOs, UN representatives, etc.) will begin discussions on drafting process of an international political declaration to end the human suffering caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. This is what HI has been fighting for for the last five years, collecting evidences from affected areas and directly initiating a dialogue with States on the issue.

More than 90 states will attend

Over the past weeks, we have been directly reaching out to states to convince them about the importance of this conference and oblige them to attend, hence the urgency of this topic. More than 90 states have registered so far. This shows that there is a strong political mobilisation.

Strong support from ICRC and UN

Last week, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, launched a joint appeal. They highlighted the devastating impact of explosive weapons on the lives of civilians and called on states to commit to finding political solutions to this major humanitarian issue. It had a positive effect.

HI will speak

During the conference, we will be speaking on gender, psychological harm and assistance to victims. We will speak about the findings from out latest victim assistance report The waiting List, which illustrates the immediate and long-term needs of victims of explosive weapons in Syria.

Supported by political representatives

We continue to mobilise governments at national level, because this conference is the beginning of the process! More than 95 parliamentarians from 7 states have already expressed their support to our action [1]. In October, HI will launch an internet platform enabling citizens to contact their MPs and demand an end to the bombing of civilians.

 

[1] International Network of Explosive Weapons a colaition of NGOs co created by HI in 2011aginst explosive weapons.

Where your
support
helps

PRESS CONTACT

CANADA

Marie-Emmanuelle Cadieux

 

Help them
concretely

To go further

Mozambique is picking itself up four months after Cyclone Chido
© HI
Emergency Health Prevention Rehabilitation

Mozambique is picking itself up four months after Cyclone Chido

In December 2024, northern Mozambique was hit by a powerful cyclone. HI has stepped in to bring relief to the population, providing psychological support and helping to prevent the spread of disease.

Getting back on his feet after an accident: Souleyman is walking thanks to his prosthesis
© A. Stachurski / HI
Prevention Rehabilitation

Getting back on his feet after an accident: Souleyman is walking thanks to his prosthesis

After his accident, Souleyman lost his leg and his job. With the support of HI and the State, he received treatment and a prosthesis. Now he is planning a new future.

Emergency situation in Colombia: the Catatumbo crisis displaces more than 50,000 people
© C. Maldonado / HI
Health Rehabilitation

Emergency situation in Colombia: the Catatumbo crisis displaces more than 50,000 people

In northeastern Colombia, violence between non-state armed groups has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. Needs for health, hygiene, protection and education are skyrocketing.