Confronting the Rising Civilian Toll from Explosive Weapons

A recent four-day seminar sought to tackle a crucial topic: ending civilian deaths from explosive weapons. During the seminar, youth advocates from over a dozen countries and organizations, including Human Rights Watch, met to discuss the rising civilian toll caused by explosive weapons when cities and towns are bombed and shelled.

Many of those attending this conference came from countries deeply affected by these weapons. HRW has covered the use and impact of explosive weapons in populated areas in Nigeria, Sudan, and Syria. In Ukraine, we documented in detail how Russian bombing devastated the entire city of Mariupol.

Explosive weapons in populated areas

Today’s victims of war are too often civilians living in towns and cities that are bombarded with airstrikes, rocket attacks, and artillery shelling. This video explains the issue:

It doesn’t have to be this way. One aim of advocates coming together to confront this topic has been to challenge the idea that using explosive weapons in populated areas is an inevitable part of modern-day conflict.

Halting this practice

In 2022, a declaration was adopted to prevent and provide remedies for the devastating humanitarian consequences of using explosive weapons in populated areas. To date, 85 countries have endorsed this declaration. More should sign on and commit to avoiding civilian harm in conflict.

To this end, youth advocates will continue to make their voices heard. At upcoming international meetings, they will be calling on more governments to endorse the declaration and urging all states to condemn use of these weapons in populated areas.

As the risk for civilians grows, protecting them is not just a strategy, but a moral imperative.

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• Take our quiz