Dublin Conference 2022: Enhancing Protection for Civilians in Armed Conflicts
GHRTV Reporter
23-11-2022
Amanda Benoy
Middle East Researcher
Global Human Rights Defence
The Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas was endorsed by 82 States at the Dublin Conference on 18 November 2022. Although non-binding, the Declaration establishes standards intended to strengthen protection for civilians in armed conflict by limiting the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and enhancing humanitarian access. In a tribute to the civilian victims of violence in armed conflict, the conference commenced with a memorial ceremony. A monument to the Unknown Civilian was unveiled in the Gardens of the Dublin Castle and a minute of silence was held.
The U.S. and many of its coalition partners, including twenty-two NATO States, signed the Declaration. U.S.-led coalitions were the fourth most significant user of explosive weapons over the last decade; a position they share with the Taliban. They are superseded only by Syria, ISIS, and Israel. Notably, Kuwait, Palestine, and Qatar joined forces with States committed to implementing the Declaration through national policies and practice, as well as international cooperation. Despite monitoring by Action Against Armed Violence (AOAV) indicating that Afghanistan, Syria, Gaza, Yemen, and Iraq were the leading five States affected by explosive violence in 2021, Middle Eastern States generally failed to endorse the declaration.
Sources and further reading:
Jennifer Dathan, ‘A Decade of Explosive Violence Harm’ (AOAV, 2021) <https://aoav.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/A-Decade-of-Explosive-Violence-Harm.pdf>
accessed 18 November 2022.
‘23 NATO States sign global international agreement to protect civilians from explosive weapons in populated areas’ (reliefweb, 18 November 2022) <https://reliefweb.int/report/world/
23-nato-states-sign-global-international-agreement-protect-civilians-explosive-weapons-populated-areas#:~:text=World-,23%20NATO%20states%20sign%20global%20international%20agreement%20to%20protect,explosive%20weapons%20in%20populated%20areas&text=Over%20two%2Dthirds%20of%20NATO,Castle%2C%20Friday%2018%20November%202022> accessed 23 November 2022.
