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Thread: Read the International Network of Explosive Weapons’ ( @explosiveweapon) commentary on the latest text of the Political Declaration on the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA). http://www.inew.org/inew-publishes-response-to-latest-draft-declaration-text/
Some key points:
Some key points:
The preamble should accurately acknowledge civilian harm resulting from EWIPA use, and not narrow the focus to “indiscriminate use”. It needs to clearly describe the factors that produce ‘wider area effects.’ http://www.inew.org/inew-publishes-response-to-latest-draft-declaration-text
However, some elements of the declaration should focus broadly on all use of explosive weapons in populated areas rather than a narrow focus on just those with ‘wide area effects’, such as data collection and assistance to victims.
Central to the declaration should be a strong commitment against the use of EWIPA to provide the best practical mechanism for reducing civilian harm. Read Airwars/PAX report: Seeing through the rubble, which examined the impact of EWIPA use on civilians. https://airwars.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/PAXAirwars-Through-the-Rubble.pdf
The text should more effectively represent an inclusive framework for implementation not limited to military actors, but involving civil society organizations which provide vital data and evidence on civilian harm and input into governments’ practices.
The declaration should emphasize the importance of civilian harm tracking alongside mitigation strategies, and call for collecting detailed data on civilian harm, sharing data and conducting investigations into credible reports of civilian harm. http://www.inew.org/inew-publishes-response-to-latest-draft-declaration-text/
