Protect civilians against armed violence
The global pandemic has halted the diplomatic negotiations, while it has also exacerbated the human suffering caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. On September 7th 2020, Ireland invited States’ representatives, UN agencies, international organizations and civil society to a webinar on the Protection of Civilians in Urban Warfare.
On 1 August 2020, ten years after the adoption of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, HI applauds the success achieved and calls on states to renew their commitment towards victims and to foster universalization efforts.
Today, 28 July 2020, the Yemeni disability rights activist Dr. Raja Abdullah Almasabi, chairwoman of the Arab Human Rights Foundation in Yemen, has briefed the United Nations Security Council on the situation of persons with disabilities in Yemen.
A few months after the fourth Review Conference of the Mine Ban Treaty and in the lead up of the Second Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, HI, as a member of the informal gender and mine working group, continues furthering gender and diversity in disarmament discussions.
Eight international non-governmental organisations working in Yemen, including HI, strongly condemn the reprehensible attack that took place yesterday in the north of Yemen, killing 13 civilians – including four children.
In 5 years of war, Yemen has been devastated by the use of explosive weapons. HI is releasing a new report to demonstrate the long-term effects of this pattern of violence and to denounce its devastating and indiscriminate effects on civilians.
On 28 May, HI contributed to an event on « Persons with disabilities in armed conflict : inclusive protection perspectives ». The event was co-organized by the Permanent Missions to the UN of Poland, the UK and the EU and the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in the context of the UN Security Council week on Protection […]
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will brief the Security Council on his annual report on the protection of civilians during a virtual open debate on 27 May. In his report, he denounces the practice of bombing populated areas and the disastrous consequences for civilians, and supports the current diplomatic effort to develop a political declaration […]
The 2020 Protection of Civilians Week will take place next week, from May 27th to June 1st, starting with the UN Security Council Open Debate. 22 civil society actors are calling the UN Security Council, Member States, and the UN System to take urgent steps to protect civilians living in armed conflict.