Explosive weapons
Explosive weapons cause devastating civilian harm, both immediate and long-term. Article 36 works to reduce that harm by advancing policy and practice on their use, strengthening international legal and political standards, and supporting the implementation of agreements that protect civilians — including the Mine Ban Treaty, the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the 2022 Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas.
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INEW comments on the draft political declaration January 2021
Rejecting calls to address only the “indiscriminate use” of explosive weapons in populated areas
Explosive weapons with wide area effects and risk to civilians
Protecting civilians from the effects of explosive weapons in populated areas: questions of IHL compliance
Effects of explosive weapons: Working paper on explosive weapons in populated areas
‘Victim assistance’ in international agreements on civilian protection and weapons policy: Understanding the value to past, present and future instruments
Analysing responses to different harms in international commitments to address armed violence
Reflections from the Safe Schools Declaration process for future international political commitments on civilian protection
Report on a workshop examining military policies and practices on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas
Explosive weapons: Protecting civilians from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas
Written submission to the inquiry on UK Military Operations in Mosul and Raqqa
Explosive Weapons – Factors that produce wide area effects
Fleeing the bombs: Approaching explosive weapons in the policy framework of displacement
Areas of harm: Understanding explosive weapons with wide area effects
Research, analysis and innovative policy thinking
Article 36 publishes research, policy analysis and innovative policy thinking to strengthen the protection of civilians and reduce harm from weapons. Our work is written primarily for governments, international organisations, civil society and other stakeholders engaged in international policy. Through rigorous, independent analysis, we have helped shape international debates on explosive weapons, autonomous weapons, nuclear weapons and civilian protection. Our publications place evidence of civilian harm at the centre of policy discussions and promote practical changes to international law, policy and practice.