ICRC Expert Meeting: Preventing and Mitigating the Indirect Effects on Essential Services from the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas – 3, 5 and 9 October 2023

In November 2022, the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas was adopted. This milestone declaration recognizes the grave indirect (reverberating) effects resulting from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. It commits endorsing states, inter alia, to take meaningful measures and adopt policies and good practices that will alleviate human suffering caused by indirect effects on essential services during armed conflicts and in their aftermath.

 

The present report is the outcome of an expert meeting held online on 3, 5 and 9 October 2023 on advancing implementation of the Political Declaration’s commitments relevant to preventing and mitigating the indirect effects on essential services from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.