KYIV – The decision by the US government to transfer cluster munitions to Ukraine has sparked concerns from leaders of several countries and the United Nations secretary-general. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov has presented five principles for the use of these munitions by Ukrainian armed forces. Human Rights Watch has reported numerous deaths and serious injuries to Ukrainian civilians as a result of cluster munition rocket attacks by Ukrainian forces in Russian-controlled areas. Both Ukraine and Russia have been using cluster munitions, causing significant harm to civilians.
The use of cluster munitions by Ukraine and Russia not only poses an immediate danger to civilians but also leaves behind unexploded bomblets that continue to pose a threat for many years. Many countries are calling for an immediate halt to the use of these weapons and are against the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine.
According to Human Rights Watch, the cluster munitions that the United States is considering transferring to Ukraine are over 20 years old and have high failure rates, which could result in long-term suffering for civilians. There is a concern that transferring these munitions would undermine efforts to ban them globally and would disregard the significant danger they pose to civilians.
Human Rights Watch is calling for a ban on the transfer of cluster munitions to any country due to the foreseeable and lasting harm they cause to civilians. The organization has highlighted the devastating impact of cluster munition attacks in various regions of Ukraine, with hundreds of civilian casualties documented.
The widespread use of cluster munitions within and around the city of Izium during the Russian occupation has resulted in numerous civilian casualties, with the remnants and damage patterns clearly indicating the impact of these attacks. Human Rights Watch’s detailed examination of various cluster munition attacks in Izium paints a grim picture of the devastating consequences on Ukrainian civilians.
The report highlights specific incidents in which civilians were killed or injured as a result of cluster munition attacks, shedding light on the tragic and horrifying experiences of those affected. The detailed accounts of these incidents provide a harrowing insight into the human cost of the use of cluster munitions in the ongoing conflict.
The narrative presented by Human Rights Watch serves as a powerful call to action, urging countries and international organizations to take a stand against the use and transfer of cluster munitions. The devastating impact of these weapons on civilians cannot be overlooked, and there is a pressing need for concerted efforts to prevent further harm and ensure the protection of vulnerable populations.