In July 2018, INEW organised a workshop in Colombia engaging civil society representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean on the protection of civilians from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. Participants discussed humanitarian concerns over explosive weapon use in populated areas and the experiences of affected communities, as well as looking at explosive weapon systems and factors that produce wide area effects. Participants developed a programme of work for the period ahead and identified actions that can be taken to address this harm, including towards the development of an international political declaration. These efforts will inform preparation for the Latin America and Caribbean regional conference on protecting civilians from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas to be held in Santiago, Chile in December 2018, which will include defence and foreign affairs representatives, civil society actors, and international organisations.

Related materials:

INEW briefing – A declaration to prevent harm from explosive weapons in populated areas: https://bit.ly/2vhFbot

INEW briefing –  Providing an effective response to the humanitarian harm resulting from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas: https://bit.ly/2NwuKXA