Ukraine: Banned Landmines Harm Civilians
Ukraine Should Investigate Forces’ Apparent Use; Russian Use Continues

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.
February 2, 2023
Ukraine Should Investigate Forces’ Apparent Use; Russian Use Continues
Russian Forces Use Widely Banned Cluster Munitions, Damage Hospitals
Ukraine Should Investigate Forces’ Apparent Use; Russian Use Continues
Security Forces Use Lethal Force against Protesters, Wrongful Detention, Beatings
Days After Leaving, Russian Forces Fired on City, Wounding Civilians
Delivered by Mary Wareham, Advocacy Director
Hits on Displaced People’s Camps Killed Civilians
Eighty-two Countries Pledge to Avoid Use in Populated Areas