The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are urging countries to protect civilians from explosive weapons in populated areas.
In a joint statement released on Nov. 15, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, and ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric appealed to countries to support the declaration on “Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas.”
They noted the devastating consequences of the usage of explosive weapons, especially in populated areas.
The use of explosive weapons in populated areas “claims countless lives and limbs, cause widespread destruction, and deprive people from essential civilian services, such as water and sanitation, electricity, health care, and education,” they said.
“Over the past decade, the United Nations System has worked closely with Member States, the ICRC, and civil society across the globe to encourage parties to put an end to the use of explosive weapons in towns and cities,” said Nakamitsu.
“With this new declaration, countries will be taking a stand on the importance of protecting civilians, reducing harm, and saving lives,” she added.
These weapons usually have effects well beyond their targets whenever it is used in cities, towns, and villages, they added.
Griffiths also pointed out that the effects caused by these weapons often result in long-term suffering such as disability and psychological trauma.
UNICEF’s Russell also highlighted the particular impact of these weapons on children.
“To bomb a home, school, hospital – any place children live, learn, or rely on – is indefensible,” she said.
“We are calling on countries to keep children safe by protecting them from the harms of urbanized conflict. Their lives and futures depend on it,” added Russell.
The top officials said the new declaration represents a major collective milestone in protecting civilians from the increasing urbanization of armed conflict.
They also said it sends a strong signal around the world that “harming civilians and damaging cities is not a reality we should accept.”
Aside from this, they noted that it will also strengthen the respect for international humanitarian law by committing signatory states to restrict or refrain from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
The declaration will be launched at an endorsement conference in Dublin, Ireland on Nov. 18.
“For the first time, States are committing to curbing the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, a critical acknowledgement of the magnitude of the problem,” Spoljaric said.
“By endorsing and faithfully implementing this new political declaration, States can go a long way in alleviating civilian suffering and upholding international humanitarian law, which is crucial to preserve our common humanity.”