NGOs urge states to ban bombing and destructive weapons of populated areas
The NGO Handicap International has drawn the attention of States to the prohibition of bombing in populated areas, in particular with the inauguration of an Unknown Civilian Fresco, in Lyon, on September 21, 2021. © Jean-Philippe Ksiazek, AFP
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1 min
While a diplomatic process to end the bombing of populated areas in countries at war remains blocked, NGOs are calling on states to protect civilians, including France, one of the largest arms sellers in the world.
Because 90% of the victims of bombings are civilians and unexploded ordnance constitutes a danger, years after the end of wars.
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It is a diplomatic process that started a few years ago.
More than 130 countries have undertaken to draft an “
international political declaration
”, ie a text which aims to ban the use of
explosive weapons in populated areas
.
The negotiation is dragging on. Officially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but not only. NGOs note that "
some States, including France, are trying to empty the text of its substance
", denounces Handicap International, in the voice of its advocate, Baptiste Chapuis:
Today, we do not understand the French position.
In terms of form, France refuses to recognize that the heaviest and most destructive weapons claim 90% of civilian casualties, she refuses this systematic aspect and in substance, France does not want to have a strict or serious framework for the most explosive weapons. heavy in populated areas.
The question today is: does France really want to align its speeches with its actions?
Today, it has a historic opportunity and there are good reasons that France can be at the forefront of this process and not lagging behind.
After having fought anti-personnel mines and then cluster munitions, the NGO, founded in 1982 and present in 60 countries, has been campaigning for several years against the bombing of civilians in populated areas.
Other types of weaponry have already been banned by international texts, such
as anti-personnel mines
or
cluster munitions.
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