Increasingly, armed conflicts are taking place in populated urban areas, where explosive weapons are being used on a massive scale, killing and injuring thousands of civilians.
Analysis over the last 10 years shows that when explosive weapons are used in populated areas a shocking 90% of casualties are civilians. In 2020 alone, 18,747 people were killed or injured by explosive weapons. The death toll keeps on rising.
So many people have been left injured or disabled with their lives and livelihoods completely ruined. It is our mission at Humanity & Inclusion to ensure that these innocent victims of conflict are not forgotten and to put an end to the indiscriminate bombing of towns and cities.
Civilians in countries including Ukraine, Iraq, Yemen, and Afghanistan are innocent victims of war - children, men and women who are going about their daily lives when these bombs strike. They end up traumatised, severely injured and many have to endure the loss of parents or loved ones.
Humanity & Inclusion is asking States to commit to an international declaration to stop using explosive weapons in urban warfare. This will protect civilians in conflicts now and in the future.
The UK has been present and engaged at the conferences and negotiations that have taken place so far to draft the declaration. These vital meetings will conclude in 2022.
We need to ensure that the final wording of the declaration specifically includes commitments to avoid the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas, and to provide non-discriminatory assistance to the victims.
Your voice is powerful. Sign your name today adding your support to this important declaration.
