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 are civilians. Many more are affected when social, commercial, infrastructural, cultural, educational, religious and health-care facilities are shattered.
Parties to 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.
Upcoming related events
Security Council
SG reports (relevant sections)
S/2019/373 paras 31, 42, 49, 55-57, 63
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
CCW
SG’s Disarmament Agenda (pp.34-36)
Casualty recording
Collecting data on civilian casualties can inform dialogue and policy towards attaining SDG Targets; assist the Security Council in implementing 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
UN system links
External links
> “Enhancing civilian protection from use of explosive weapons in populated areas: building a policy and research agenda”
- International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW)
- Action on Armed Violence (AOAV)
- PAX
- Expert meeting – “Explosive weapons in populated areas: Humanitarian, legal, technical and military aspects”
- Casualty recording mechanism
- The UN and casualty recording
