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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Austria and OCHA convene the third expert meeting on protecting civilians from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
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.
Norway and OCHA convene the second expert meeting on protecting civilians from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
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.
The UN Secretary-General urges parties to conflict to refrain from using explosive weapons with a wide area impact in densely populated areas.
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”.
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.
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.
The first report to extensively conceptualise the humanitarian problems related to the use of explosive weapons in populated areas is published by Landmine Action.
The UN Secretary-General first raises concern over the humanitarian impact of the use of explosive weapons in densely populated environments
