NCF Research Officer Solen Ronarch delivers an oral intervention to the United Nations Human Rights Council 53rd session, Item 10.

Addressing the usage of cluster bombs by both the Russian Federation and Ukraine in the Russia-Ukraine War, Solen speaks to the UN.

Transcript

The Next Century Foundation believes that there needs to be an end to the use of cluster munitions by both the Russian Federation and Ukraine in the  Russia-Ukraine War. This war broke out on February  24, 2022 and both parties have used cluster munitions since the start of the conflict. The Russian Federation’s use of cluster munitions has led to the loss of hundreds of lives,  as well as the destruction of homes and public buildings. Ukraine has also used cluster bombs and has publicly demanded that they be supplied with these weapons.

It is necessary that both parties stop their use of cluster munitions as the use of these weapons was outlawed in the  2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions.  This convention was put into place as these weapons are highly dangerous.  These bombs are released by various means including rockets, missiles, and from aircraft.  Cluster bombs release hundreds of submunitions over an area about as large as a city block. In Ukraine, cluster munitions are launched by artillery and soldiers are firing the weapons from trenches. Many of these submunitions do not explode on initial impact and can act as landmines for many years after they have been dropped. This then poses an imminent and future danger for those living in the conflict area. The Next Century  Foundation believes that the use of these weapons needs to end for the safety of current and future citizens.