Lebanon: Israel’s White Phosphorous Use Risks Civilian Harm
Airburst Munitions Used Unlawfully in Populated Areas
Many urgent arms-related challenges need be addressed to protect civilians affected by conflict and its deadly legacy. Antipersonnel landmines and cluster munitions have been prohibited outright due to their inherently indiscriminate and lasting effect on civilians yet continued advocacy and monitoring is needed to ensure these treaties gain universal support and are fully implemented. The use of artillery projectiles, rockets, mortars, missiles, air-delivered bombs and other explosive weapons in populated areas is causing foreseeable harm to civilians and the infrastructure they depend on to live, study, and work. Incendiary weapons, including white phosphorus, inflict painful and cruel injuries, yet they continue to be used. The development of autonomous weapons systems—“killer robots”—that could select and engage targets without human intervention needs to be prohibited and regulated through new international law to prevent a future of warfare and policing outside of human control and responsibility. The Arms Program of the Crisis, Conflict and Arms Division advances humanitarian disarmament, enhancing protections for civilians from various weapons that inflict unacceptable harm, including by strengthening international treaties and legal norms.
Airburst Munitions Used Unlawfully in Populated Areas
Explosive Weapons’ Effects in Armed Conflict and Measures to Strengthen Protection
Governments Should Suspend Arms to Israel, Support ICC Probe
Impartially Investigate Military’s Air Attacks; Compensate Victims, Families
Resources on Incendiary Weapons from Human Rights Watch and the International Human Rights Clinic at Harvard Law School
Renewed Focus Needed on Treaty Ban
Transparency, Safeguards Needed to Uphold Human Rights
Cease Use of Banned Mines; Accelerate Demining Operations
Governments Should Raise Autonomous Weapons Concerns with UN
Delivered by Bonnie Docherty, Senior Arms Adviser
Compliance with 2022 Political Declaration Would Reduce Harm in Armed Conflict