Ukraine War and Disarmament Resource Page Launched

Jacqulyn Kantack, Armed Conflict and Civilian Protection Initiative

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the humanitarian disarmament community has investigated and condemned the use of banned weapons and the human and environmental effects of the conflict. The humanitariandisarmament.org website has launched a new resources page that captures their reports, statements, and commentaries in order to increase public understanding of the humanitarian disarmament issues raised by the war in Ukraine and to serve as an information center for advocates, journalists, and others.

From the early days of the conflict, civil society organizations have documented the use of cluster munitions and explosive weapons in populated areas by Russian forces. As the conflict has evolved, so has the variety of international humanitarian law violations. Use of antipersonnel landmines was recently verified, and civil society continues to highlight impacts on the environment caused by toxic remnants of war and unexploded ordnance, destruction of infrastructure, and threats to Ukraine’s nuclear power facilities.

Civil society groups, international organizations, UN officials, and survivors have issued statements denouncing Russian use of cluster munitions and explosive weapons in populated areas, expressing concern about arms trade and environmental impacts, and speaking out against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine generally. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the International Committee of the Red Cross, and others have also been active in raising awareness of and condemning the threats posed by the potential use of nuclear weapons.

These sources showcase the strength of the humanitarian disarmament movement as the Ukraine war continues to illustrate the need to protect civilians from arms-inflicted harm.  

To alert us to possible new resources for this page, please contact humanitariandisarmament@gmail.com.

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