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Armed conflicts are increasingly fought in population centres – but often with weapon systems that are designed for open battlefields. When used in populated areas, explosive weapons are very likely to have indiscriminate effects. Up to 90% of those killed and injured in such situations there are civilians. Many more are affected when social, commercial, infrastructural, cultural, educational, religious and health-care facilities are shattered.
Parties in armed conflict must always give due weight to the reasonably foreseeable reverberating effects of using bombs, missiles, mortars, rockets, artillery and other explosive weaponry – certainly also in populated areas.
General Assembly
GA Resolutions
- Preventing and combating illicit brokering activites
- The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects
- Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons and collecting them
- Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures
- Promoting development through the reduction and prevention of armed violence (2008)
- Addressing the negative humanitarian and development impact of the illicit manufacture, transfer and circulation of
- small arms and light weapons and their excessive accumulation (2006)
SG Report
- The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects (2016)
- Recent developments in small arms and light weapons manufacturing, technology and design and implications for the implementation of the International Instrument
- Promoting development through the reduction and prevention of armed violence
Expert group report
Security Council
Statements
Human Rights Council
Security Council
SG reports (relevant sections)
S/2018/462 paras 41, 42, 43, 44, 45
S/2017/414 paras 17, 18, 20, 79, 80
S/2016/447 paras 24-28
S/2015/453 paras 30-36
S/2013/689 paras 21, 34, 35, 69
S/2012/376 paras 11, 35-38, 41, 72, 75
S/2010/579 paras 48, 49, 51
S/2009/277 para 36
SG’s Disarmament Agenda (pp.34-36)
Casualty recording
The collection of data on civilian casualties is an important practical step for addressing concerns raised by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
Such data can inform dialogue and policy towards attaining SDG Targets; assist States in implementing Security Council arms embargoes; and in undertaking risk assessments preceding the transfers of conventional weapons where applicable.
UNAMA report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict
Resources
