Burkina Faso: Drone Strikes on Civilians Apparent War Crimes
Impartially Investigate Military’s Air Attacks; Compensate Victims, Families
Many urgent arms-related challenges should be addressed to protect civilians affected by conflict and its deadly legacy. Antipersonnel landmines and cluster munitions have been prohibited outright, but the ban treaties need to be universalized and complied with fully. Militaries use a wide-range of explosive weapons—artillery, rockets, mortars, air-delivered bombs and more—in populated areas, frequently causing indiscriminate harm to civilians. Incendiary weapons cause painful and cruel injuries, yet they continue to be used. The development of fully autonomous weapons—“killer robots”—that could select and engage targets without human intervention need to be stopped to prevent a future of warfare and policing outside of human control and responsibility. The Arms Division of Human Rights Watch works to advance humanitarian disarmament and enhance protections for civilians from various weapons that inflict unnecessary harm. We document the negative impact of weapons and promote the establishment and implementation of international treaties and legal norms.
March 12, 2024
February 8, 2024
January 25, 2024
Impartially Investigate Military’s Air Attacks; Compensate Victims, Families
Evidence Points to Misfired Rocket but Full Investigation Needed
UN Security Council Should Act to Protect Civilians, Punish Abusive RSF Commanders
Syrian, Russia Forces Also Use Incendiary Weapons
February 2024
Guterres Should Seek to Tackle Autonomous Weapons Systems
How HRW Documents Wartime Abuses, Advocates to Protect Civilians, and Promotes Justice
All Treaty Parties Now Comply with Stockpiling Ban