States agree final text of political declaration on the use of explosive weapons

With overwhelming support and a packed room, the text of the political declaration was tabled and presented by Ireland, chair of the process, and agreed to without changes. There was overwhelming gratitude and support for Ireland’s leadership of the process over the past three years, along with support for the text of the declaration, with several delegations announcing plans to sign it in Dublin later this year at the signing conference.

Despite contestation of this issue by many militarised states throughout the process to develop a political declaration – where some states refused to recognize that explosive weapons present distinct humanitarian problems and resisted efforts to impose limitations on their use – many of these states have announced support for the text reflecting a sea change in positions.

Many states either expressed their intention to sign the political declaration when it is open for signature at a signing conference in Dublin or indicated that they are working towards this decision. These states include Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Korea, Spain, State of Palestine, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, and Uruguay.

Today, nearly all states that shared views on the final declaration text recognized the harm caused by explosive weapons when used in populated areas. Many also acknowledged the devastating direct, indirect, and/or reverberating effects of their use on civilians and, in some cases, the particularly high risk of civilian harm presented by the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects. One state – New Zealand – credited the lengthy period of negotiations on the declaration text with helping it better understand the full extent of civilian harm caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. Another state – Germany – indicated a desire for continued discussion to help better understand the foreseeable indirect effects of explosive weapon use.

The political declaration commits states to impose limits on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas to avoid civilian harm. It also commits states to assist victims and address the long-term impacts that stem from damage and destruction to civilian infrastructure.

Several states and civil society organizations acknowledged that the declaration – particularly its key commitment in paragraph 3.3 – fell short of expectations for a clear and explicit commitment to avoid the use of explosive weapons in populated areas when they have wide area effects. However, many shared the view that the text provides a platform to work and promote changes in state policy and practice through implementation of the declaration at the national level. In this regard, the adoption of the political declaration is a starting point for a process of work that will now begin – not an end point.

A key priority now is that states join the political declaration and work to implement it effectively and interpret it in ways that will prevent harm to civilians and make a difference on the ground. The next practical step will be the signing conference later this year – where the first states to join the declaration will be able to discuss the way ahead. Other states will still be able to join the declaration over time.

The meeting closed with a round of applause for Ireland’s efforts, with Ambassador Michael Gaffey noting that the declaration will be relevant to current as well as future conflicts, and that it sends out a message on the protection of civilians which has never been more necessary.

Agreement of the political declaration will be a major step forward and a significant contribution to protecting civilians from bombing and shelling in towns and cities. States joining the declaration will be recognising that explosive weapons pose specific challenges for the civilians when they are used in towns and cities and are committing to take action to address those challenges.

States will need to work to implement the political declaration without delay, developing policies to operationalise the declaration at the national level which must bring about changes of practice in line with the declaration’s aim and commitments. This will be particularly important when it comes to changing military policy and practice.

Building stronger standards and driving forward significant change takes time. While the declaration’s impact might not be immediate, it demonstrates states’ commitments to addressing the challenges that civilians face when explosive weapons are used in populated areas. States have the primary responsibility to protect civilians – and INEW will be working to promote the declaration and to promote strong implementation and interpretation of its provisions.

About INEW

INEW is a network of NGOs that endorse the INEW call and have agreed to work together to achieve its aims.

• SHARE THIS PAGE

• ON FACEBOOK

• ON TWITTER

• VIA EMAIL

INEW is an international network of NGOs that calls for immediate action to prevent human suffering from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

INEW members engage in research, policy and advocacy to promote greater understanding of the issues that arise from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, and concrete steps that can be taken to address it. INEW member organisations develop partnerships calling for improved government policy and operational practice at a national level, and work together to develop stronger standards internationally.

Many INEW member organisations work in countries affected by explosive violence – providing development assistance, documenting the impact of violence, assisting the victims of explosive weapons and clearing landmines, unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices. See our current members.

INEW welcomes new member organisations: to find out more about how to join as an NGO, please visit our membership page. Coordination for INEW is provided by Laura Boillot (lboillot@inew.org) on behalf of Article 36.

Our call

INEW membership is based on endorsement of the following:

The International Network on Explosive Weapons calls for immediate action to prevent human suffering from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. States and other actors should:

• Acknowledge that use of explosive weapons in populated areas tends to cause severe harm to individuals and communities and furthers suffering by damaging vital infrastructure;
• Strive to avoid such harm and suffering in any situation, review and strengthen national policies and practices on use of explosive weapons and gather and make available relevant data;
• Work for full realisation of the rights of victims and survivors;
• Develop stronger international standards, including certain prohibitions and restrictions on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

In developing these standards, states and other actors should make a commitment that explosive weapons with wide area effects will not be used in populated areas.  Read our commentary our INEW's call, which provides more information on its core points.

Our members

INEW was established on the 29 March 2011 at a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. INEW is governed by a Steering Committee whose members are Action on Armed Violence, Article 36, Center for Civilians in Conflict, Handicap International, Human Rights Watch, Norwegian People’s Aid, Oxfam, PAX, Save the Children, SEHLAC, and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. A number of other individuals and organisations were also involved in the establishment of INEW.