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News Section Conventional weapons and international humanitarian law International humanitarian law contains rules which prohibit or restrict the use of certain conventional weapons. In addition, specific rules governing these weapons are contained in the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. In recent years significant efforts have been made to develop and strengthen this Convention. New rules have been adopted to extend the application of the Convention to internal conflicts, improve the regulations on landmines, booby traps and explosive remnant of war and prohibit blinding laser weapons. The framework convention contains only general provisions which do not explicitly prohibit the use of specific weapons. Provisions on the prohibition of or restrictions on the use of certain weapons are the object of the four protocols annexed to the convention : Protocol I on Non-Detectable Fragments, Protocol II on Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices, 1980,amended in 1996 ; Protocol III on Incendiary Weapons ; Protocol IV on Blinding Laser Weapons ; Protocol V on Explosive Remnants of War.  Key document31-3-2004 1980 Convention on Certain Conventional WeaponsFact sheet describing the obligations of States regarding the national implementation of the norms contained in this particular instrument of international humanitarian law. (Humanitarian law\National implementation\Publications\Fact sheets) Fact Sheet Includes PDF ICRC publication31-7-2005 Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to have Indiscriminate EffectsThe Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons is one of the principal instruments of international humanitarian law. It seeks to minimize suffering in armed conflict by prohibiting or regulating the use of certain weapons which may cause unnecessary suffering or have indiscriminate effects. This publication contains the text of the Convention, its Protocols and the amendments adopted through 28 November 2003. It is intended to promote understanding of the Convention's rules and to facilitate its ratification and implementation by governments. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Humanitarian law) ICRC publication International Review of the Red Cross31-3-2003 The 1899 Hague Declaration concerning expanding bullets: A treaty effective for more than 100 years faces complex contemporary issues (Info resources\International Review\2003 - No. 849) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF 31-12-2001 The 1980 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons: A useful framework despite earlier disappointments (Info resources\International Review\2001 - No. 844) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF Interview17-1-2009 Phosphorous weapons – the ICRC's view Peter Herby, head of the ICRC's Arms Unit, outlines the rules applicable to phosphorous weapons to explain the organization's approach to the issue. (Humanitarian law\Weapons\Conventional weapons) Interview Official Statement9-10-2009 Weapons: ICRC statement to the United Nations United Nations, General Assembly, 64th session, First Committee, Items 96 & 100 of the agenda, Statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), New York, 9 October 2009 (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\United Nations\64th General Assembly) Official Statement 1-10-2009 ICRC position on an Arms Trade Treaty The ICRC strongly supports the elaboration of a comprehensive, legally binding Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) that establishes common international standards for the responsible transfer of conventional weapons and their ammunition, based on States' responsibilities under international law, including international humanitarian law (Humanitarian law\Weapons\Arms availability) Official Statement 28-11-2008 140th Anniversary of the 1868 St. Petersburg DeclarationSpeech by Jakob Kellenberger, president of the ICRC, International Conference on IHL dedicated to the 140th Anniversary of the 1868 St. Petersburg Declaration, St. Petersburg, 24 November 2008 (Humanitarian law\Weapons) Official Statement 3-11-2008 ICRC reaffirms strong support for Convention on Cluster MunitionsStatement of Dr Philip Spoerri Director for International Law and Cooperation within the Movement, ICRC. Group of Governmental Experts of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects, Geneva, 3 November 2008 (Humanitarian law\Weapons\Conventional weapons) Official Statement 7-11-2006 ICRC statement to the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Certain Conventional WeaponsStatement of Dr Philip Spoerri, Director for International Law and Cooperation within the Movement International Committee of the Red Cross Third Review Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects, Geneva, 7-17 November 2006 (Humanitarian law\Weapons\Conventional weapons) Official Statement 9-10-2006 Weapons: ICRC statement to the United Nations United Nations, General Assembly, 61st session, First Committee, item 90, 94 and 97 of the agenda, Statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), New York, 9 October 2006 (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\United Nations\61st General Assembly) Official Statement  |
