Briefing event: Strengthening the protection of civilians from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas
Thursday 23 November 2017, 13.15 – 14.45
Room XXIV, United Nations Geneva
Protecting civilians from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas has been identified as a major humanitarian challenge in conflict situations today. The bombing and shelling of towns and cities causes widespread civilian casualties, destroys vital infrastructure and services, and is a driver of displacement.
This briefing will give an overview of the direct and indirect humanitarian harm resulting from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. It will suggest actions that can be taken to address such harm including through the development and review of operational policies and practice by militaries, as documented in OCHA’s Compilation of Military Policy and Practice. It will also suggest action that can be taken at the political level towards the development of an international political declaration on explosive weapons.
Chair: Mr. Richard Moyes, Managing Director, Article 36
Speakers:
- Ms. Bonnie Docherty, Human Rights Watch
- Dr. Simon Bagshaw, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
- Dr. Eirini Giorgou, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
- Ms. Laura Boillot, International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW)
EWIPA side event flyer CCW Nov 2017
Photo: Damaged buildings from the use of a bazooka in West Mosul, Iraq. August 2017. © Sahr Muhammedally, CIVIC