Ireland is set to unveil a draft international agreement protecting civilians against the use of explosive weapons in urban settings.
It represents a significant diplomatic achievement following three years of negotiations which have culminated in a consensus on further controls over the use of explosive weapons.
The agreement, details of which emerged on Thursday, arrives in the midst of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a grisly reminder of the severity of urban warfare.
The Department of Foreign Affairs described the declaration as a “very significant milestone” and said Ireland’s permanent mission to the UN in Geneva, with support from policy teams at home, had led the process of strengthening protections of civilians against the severe and long lasting effects of such armaments.
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“For too long we have seen the appalling consequences for civilians caused by the use of heavy weapons in urban areas in Syria, in Iraq, in Yemen and, most recently in Ukraine,” a spokesman said.
The Government began a consultative process in 2019, seeking international support for draft versions of the agreement. The Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas in Geneva is due to be finalised on Friday.
Political declaration
Although not legally binding, a political declaration is a mechanism through which states can agree actions to be taken at a national or international level.
The UN, the International Red Cross and Crescent Movement have called for urgent action on the issue of explosive weapons in heavily populated areas.
“Civilians should never be a target in warfare and the political declaration provides greater clarity on the use of explosive weapons in urban settings to ensure civilians and civilian infrastructure are protected,” said Liam O’Dwyer, secretary general of the Irish Red Cross.
“For Ireland to lead on this issue and secure a global agreement is a tremendous achievement and we commend the Irish Government and officials who found a way through many challenges presented by the pandemic and geopolitics to finalise this political declaration.”
`Killed or injured’
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), about 50 million people are currently suffering the consequences of urban warfare in places including Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan, as well as Ukraine.
The organisation’s president, Peter Maurer, said the use of heavy explosives in such settings has been a concern for years leading up to the agreement.
“Scores of civilians are killed or injured, often left with permanent disabilities or grave mental trauma,” he said. “Cities are turned to rubble, with houses, infrastructure, schools, means of livelihood and cultural sites destroyed.”
Under existing international law, the indiscriminate use of weapons is banned. All use of force must be proportional and precautions to reduce the impact on civilian impact must be taken.
The political declaration, due to be published on Friday, further calls on states “to avoid, and in any event minimise, civilian harm when conducting military operations, in particular within populated areas”.
