INEW ~ The Issue

Nov 2022

Dublin international conference to adopt the Political Declaration on strengthening the protection of civilians from the humanitarian consequences arising from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas

Ireland will host a high-level international conference in Dublin on 18 November 2022 to formally adopt the Political Declaration on strengthening the protection of civilians from the humanitarian consequences arising from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. Read more.

Nov 2022

INEW & Dóchas’ Global Civil Society Forum on Protecting Civilians from Explosive Weapons

On 17 November, the eve of the signing conference for the “Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas”, INEW and Dóchas (the Irish Association of Non-Governmental Development Organisations) will co-host a Civil Society Forum. Read more.

Jun 2022

Final consultation in Geneva

State representatives, international and civil society organisations meet in Geneva on 17 June 2022 under Ireland’s leadership for the final consultation on the political declaration on explosive weapons in populated areas, aimed at strengthening the protection of civilians arising from the use of explosive weapons in towns, cities and other populated areas. Read more

Apr 2022

Fourth round of consultations in Geneva

State representatives, international and civil society organisations meet in Geneva from 6-8 April 2022 to resume negotiations on the political declaration. Read more.

Mar 2021

Virtual third round of consultations

The government of Ireland hosts the third round of consultations virtually on 3-5 March 2021 to develop an international political declaration. Read more.

Feb 2020

Second round of consultations in Geneva

States engage in the second round of consultations on the 10th February in Geneva, convened by Ireland aiming at gathering input ahead of drafting the political declaration. Read more.

Nov 2019

First round of consultations in Geneva

States meet for the first round of consultations in Geneva, convened by Ireland aimed at gathering input ahead of drafting an international political declaration to address the humanitarian impact from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. Read more.

Oct 2019

The Vienna Conference on the protection of civilians in urban warfare marks a turning point as states support negotiation of an international political declaration on explosive weapons.

133 countries gather in Vienna for a Conference on the Protection of Civilians in Urban Warfare on 1-2 October 2019 where states discussed the harm caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, the legal context and examples of good military practice. Read more.

Dec 2018

Latin American and Caribbean states issue a joint Communiqué

23 Latin American and Caribbean states gather at the Santiago regional conference on protecting civilians from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas issue a joint Communiqué.

Oct 2018

States issue a joint statement at the meeting of the UNGA First Committee

At the meeting of the UN General Assembly’s First Committee, fifty states issue a joint statement that expresses grave concern over the humanitarian harm caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

Oct 2017

African states issue a joint Communiqué

19 African states gather at the Maputo regional conference on protecting civilians from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas issue a joint Communiqué.

Nov 2016

UNSG and President of the ICRC calls parties to armed conflict to stop the use of heavy explosive weapons in populated areas

An unprecedented joint warning on the impact of today’s conflicts on civilians is issued by the UN Secretary-General and the President of the ICRC calling on parties to armed conflict to stop the use of heavy explosive weapons in populated areas.

Sep 2015

Austria and OCHA convene the third expert meeting on protecting civilians from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

Jan 2015

The ICRC convenes an expert meeting on humanitarian, legal, technical, and military aspects over the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, publishing key findings later in the year.

Jan 2014

Norway and OCHA convene the second expert meeting on protecting civilians from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

Sep 2013

The first expert meeting on reducing the humanitarian impact of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas was convened in London, by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and Chatham House.

It noted the development of a presumption against the use of those explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas as a theme in reducing the humanitarian harm from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

May 2012

The UN Secretary-General urges parties to conflict to refrain from using explosive weapons with a wide area impact in densely populated areas.

Oct 2011

ICRC publishes its paper on challenges in contemporary armed conflict.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) publishes its paper on challenges in contemporary armed conflict, and concludes that despite the absence of an express legal prohibition, due to the significant likelihood of indiscriminate effects, “explosive weapons with a wide impact area should be avoided in densely populated areas”.

Mar 2011

The International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW) is formed.

The International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW) is formed, calling for immediate action to prevent human suffering from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. UN Security Council resolution 1975 on Côte d’Ivoire urges parties to prevent the use of heavy weapons against the civilian population.

Nov 2010

The UN Secretary-General reiterates concerns over the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, and recommends states consider the issue of explosive weapons closely.

Sep 2009

The first report to extensively conceptualise the humanitarian problems related to the use of explosive weapons in populated areas is published by Landmine Action.

May 2009

INEW

The Issue

HIGHLIGHTS