Northwest Syria: Government Uses Cluster Munitions
Syrian, Russia Forces Also Use Incendiary Weapons
Incendiary weapons, which are notorious for their horrific human cost, cause extremely painful burn injuries that are difficult to treat and lead to long-term physical and psychological harm. More than 115 countries have joined the 1980 Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) Protocol III on Incendiary Weapons. International law on incendiary weapons needs to be strengthened, however, because the protocol has two loopholes. First, the protocol’s definition of incendiary weapons does not encompass multipurpose munitions such as white phosphorus, which are “primarily designed” to create smokescreens or signal troops, yet have the same cruel incendiary effects. Second, while the protocol prohibits the use of airdropped incendiary weapons in civilian areas, it has weaker regulations for the use of ground-launched incendiary weapons.
November 6, 2023
November 5, 2023
Syrian, Russia Forces Also Use Incendiary Weapons
The Human Cost of Incendiary Weapons and the Limits of International Law
International Norms Ignored as Civilians Suffer
US Authorities’ Failure to Take Adequate Precautions
Delivered by Bonnie Docherty, Senior Researcher
Use in Populated Areas Poses Grave Risks to Civilians
Testimony on the subtheme of "Disarmament and Non-Proliferation" by Kanae Doi, Human Rights Watch on 22 February 2023
Delivered by Susan Aboeid, Associate
Stronger Law Needed to Govern Weapon Causing Horrific Burns