News | Human Rights Watch

April 21, 2026 Commentary

Harnessing Outrage to Rein in the Cruel Weapons of War

Ukrainian authorities inspect the rocket motor and guidance section of a Tochka-U missile next to the main building of the Kramatorsk train station in eastern Ukraine on April 8, 2022. The phrase “Payback for the children” is painted in Russian on the missile.

March 31, 2026 Dispatches

US Central Command Contradicts Cluster Munition Policy

Admiral’s Condemnation of Iran Lacks Credibility Without Concrete US Action

Iranian ballistic cluster munitions are launched toward Tel Aviv, Israel on March 27, 2026.

March 29, 2026 News Release

Iran: Unlawful Cluster Munition Strikes on Israel

Indiscriminate Weapon Kills at Least 4 Civilians

Missiles launched from Iran carrying suspected cluster munitions streak across the sky over central Israel, March 5, 2026.

February 9, 2026 News Release

US: Cluster Munitions Plan a Deadly Regression

Purchase Signals Embrace of Indiscriminate Weapons, Disregard for Civilians

Ammunition set out for a mine-risk education event to raise students’ awareness about the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance from past conflicts, in Shebaa, Lebanon, January 21, 2026.

November 4, 2025 Dispatches

Alleged Cluster Munition Remnant Kills Cambodian Boy

Deadly Explosion Might Be Traced to Recent Thailand-Cambodia Border Clashes

Cambodian military personnel and international observers inspect damage from shelling at Preah Vihear Temple in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, August 20, 2025.

September 15, 2025 News Release

Cluster Munitions: States Should Uphold Ban Treaty

Annual Global Report Highlights Progress Amid Rising Challenges

In Paksong district of Saravane province, Laos, a clearance technician from Norwegian People’s Aid uses a GPS device to record the coordinates of cluster munition remnants in a rice field where 178 BLU-26 submunitions were found.

July 25, 2025 News Release

Thailand/Cambodia: Protect Civilians Amid Border Clashes

UN, Concerned Governments Should Urge Respect for International Law

Cambodians who fled Thai-Cambodian border clashes line up to receive assistance in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, July 25, 2025.

April 8, 2025 Statement

Statement on Emerging Challenges to the Convention on Cluster Munitions intersessional meeting

Delivered by Mark Hiznay, Associate Director

Stockpiled cluster munitions and their submunitions being prepared for destruction.

April 8, 2025 Report

Syria: Landmines, Explosive Remnants Harming Civilians

Government, Donors Should Urgently Support Clearance, Education, Assistance

Nidal Ahmad stands near his olive farm in Aleppo, Syria on March 4, 2025. Its location near a former Syrian Army military camp has prevented him from harvesting crops for years. Last December, Nidal returned to check on his land and lost his foot in a landmine explosion.

April 7, 2025 Statement

Statement on Stockpile Destruction and Retention to the Convention on Cluster Munitions intersessional meeting

Delivered by Mark Hiznay, Associate Director

2024 Cluster Munition Monitor Cover Photo

January 8, 2025 Dispatches

Jimmy Carter’s Post-Presidential Human Rights Legacy

Supported International Justice and Child Soldier, Landmine Bans

September 13, 2024 Statement

Statement on Interpretive Issues at the Convention on Cluster Munitions 12th Meeting of States Parties

Delivered by Mary Wareham on behalf of the Cluster Munition Coalition

Photo shows stockpiles of 155mm cluster munition artillery projectiles.

September 9, 2024 News Release

Cluster Munitions: New Use, Transfers Test International Ban

Global Report Tracks Civilian Harm from Prohibited Weapon

August 1, 2024 Commentary

Lithuania Leaving Cluster Munition Ban Undermines Agreement, Threatens Crucial Norms

Lithuania’s representative signing the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Oslo, Norway on December 3, 2008.