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WILPF publishes input to draft elements for a political declaration on explosive weapons in populated areas

In January 2020, WILPF published comments in response to draft elements for a political declaration on explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA) circulated by Ireland. Welcoming the discussion in the diplomatic process to develop this declaration and the paper drafted by Ireland to inspire further discussion, we see the main challenge with the current text to be that it suggests that the continued use of EWIPA will be the norm rather than the exception. This is unacceptable for a tool that is meant to improve compliance with international humanitarian law and to prevent humanitarian harm. This political declaration must promote a presumption against the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas. Any policies or practices it suggests must work to end such use.