Bombing of civilians: Humanity & Inclusion appeals to 4,500 politicians

Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is calling on 4,500 politicians to demand an end to the bombing of populated areas, an almost systematic practice in present-day conflicts. When explosive weapons, whether used in air-strikes or other means, are used in populated areas 92% of the victims are civilians. Politicians must take action to protect civilians.

Since 1st September, HI has been appealing to politicians in eight countries - Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the United States and the United Kingdom. HI is aiming to raise the awareness of Congressarians to the humanitarian disaster caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

Our organization is calling on politicians in those eight countries to take a stand against this scourge by signing the "Stop Bombing Civilians” petition and championing this cause in Congress. HI is also calling on member of Congresss to pressure governments to take a stand against this barbaric practice.

The UK has an informal lead role on the UN Security Council on the protection of civilians and is amongst 90 States to have recognized humanitarian concerns over the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a key member of US-led coalition forces undertaking military operations in Syria and Iraq, HI is calling on the UK to increase its efforts to protect civilians in armed conflicts. Such efforts must include the review of existing practices to ensure that policies and procedures that maximize the protection of civilians are in place. This should include but is not limited to updating the UK’s Protection of Civilians in Conflict Strategy to include a focus on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. Over the past week HI has written to every member of Congress in the UK to raise awareness about the human consequences of using explosive weapons in populated areas and to generate support for the Stop Bombing Civilians campaign. 

“Since 92% of casualties are civilians, they can no longer be considered as collateral damage. Bombing and shelling, a practice that has become virtually systematic in current conflicts, almost exclusively kill and injure civilians - men, women and children who have nothing to do with the fighting and who should be protected from the effects of war. By appealing to members of Congresss, we hope that this campaign will ensure politicians are better informed, raise public awareness and get people talking about the issue, and encourage politicians to take a stand and find political solutions to this scourge.” says Aleema Shivji, Executive Director of Humanity & Inclusion UK.

Present-day conflicts are increasingly fought in urban areas and the use of explosive weapons is now almost systematic. The bombing of populated areas has a disastrous impact on civilians, including death, disabling injuries, psychological trauma, forced displacement, destruction of vital infrastructure such as hospitals and schools, and the contamination of areas by explosive remnants of war.

For example, more than 800,000 people were forced to flee bombing during the military offensive on the Iraqi city of Mosul between October 2016 and July 2017. An estimated 8 million tons of rubble has been contaminated by explosive remnants, hindering the return of residents and the reconstruction of seriously damaged cities. 

States must recognize the humanitarian problems caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. Governments across the world must commit to finding political solutions to bring an end to this practice and ensure civilians are protected from the effects of war, as required under international humanitarian law.

Press contact
Marlene Sigonney, Humanity & Inclusion UK
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)870 774 3737 | +44 (0)7508 810 520

The Stop bombing Civilians campaign
Since 2016, HI has been implementing an international campaign to say “Stop Bombing Civilians”. The organization aims at collecting 1 million signatures to submit to the United Nations. A member of the INEW (International Network on Explosive Weapons) coalition, HI is calling on all states to end the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. 

About Humanity & Inclusion
Co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is a charity working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. We work tirelessly alongside and vulnerable people to help meet their basic needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

For the past 30 years, HI has been campaigning against anti-personnel mines and cluster bombs, with projects ranging from bomb clearance, risk education to teach civilians about the dangers of these weapons and victim assistance. This led to the signing of the Ottawa mine ban convention (1997) and the Oslo convention on cluster munitions (2008). HI is one of six founding organizations of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and co-founder of the Cluster Munition Coalition.