Policy Analysis

New analysis released by Airwars’ project the Civilian Protection Monitor details the extent of the US walk-back on its commitments to protect civilians in war, while showing major improvements in policy and practice in the Netherlands. The United Kingdom has maintained its status as ‘Uncommitted’ to mitigating harm to civilians from its own military operations, […]

At a time of growing impunity for civilian harm in warfare, the Dutch Ministry of Defense has taken important steps in the right direction

A Ministry of Defence (MoD) review of the UK’s civilian harm framework has recommended new procedures to track and investigate harm to civilians in UK operations, strengthened use of open-source intelligence and re-instating mechanisms for making amends where civilians suffer death, injury or damage to property. The review reveals that adequate systems to track, investigate […]

Landmark tribunal found UK's lack of published civilian harm policies may "undermine public confidence" in the system

Airwars and Article 36 launch new practical implementation resource for the EWIPA declaration.

Writing for Ceasefire, Airwars' Policy Specialist lays out noticeable gaps in the UK approach to tracking, mitigating, and responding to civilian harm

Airwars' policy volunteer Jessica Garlasco reviews current transparency mechanisms in major militaries

Airwars' Policy Specialist and colleagues at the Civilian Protection Monitor set out the continued need for civilian protection in large-scale wars

Writing on the Civilian Protection Monitor, Airwars' policy specialist analyses new developments in the Netherlands

Civilian Protection Monitor offers new framework to assess how states protect civilians from their military actions

Writing for Just Security, Airwars Policy Specialist Megan Karlshoej-Pedersen delves into recent developments in the Netherlands

Release marks unprecedented transparency in military casualty reviews

Writing for Opinio Juris, Airwars' Board Member and Policy Specialist analyse latest Dutch developments

Writing for Opinio Juris, Airwars' Board Member and Policy Specialist analyse latest Dutch developments

The results of a four-year review with the Dutch military

Writing for Just Security, Airwars' Policy Specialist raises questions on US and UK commitments to civilian protection in Yemen

Proposals explore implementing the explosive weapons declaration and better protecting civilians

Process should allow civilians and NGOs to formally report allegations of military-caused harm

Breakthrough report directly links casualty recording and human rights obligations

Coalition of rights groups demands Pentagon accountability after strike on 'Al-Qaeda leader' kills Syrian farmer

Declassified Pentagon files reveal systemic failures in target identification that led to civilian deaths, from mistaking children for weapons to faulty surveillance

Nearly a decade after deadly Dutch strike, survivors fight for recognition

Freedom of Information case step towards accountability for victims' families

When explosive weapons are used in populated areas, over 90% of those harmed are civilians. This declaration could curb such use; success depends on honest implementation

How a future independent Scotland would conduct conflict and protect civilians

Airwars and PAX brief Dutch MPs

Airwars joins our civil society partners in welcoming the publication of the much awaited Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP), released yesterday by the US Department of Defense. The CHMR-AP reflects a years-long process of sustained pressure by individuals, civil society, journalists, activists and legislators to challenge the way the US military conducts […]

Recommendations published today urge the Department of Defense to revise its assessment and investigation processes, including through practical steps such as routinely engaging with civil society to ensure that civilian harm policies are informed by civilians affected by US and partnered actions, and casualties are recorded and tracked through transparent processes that are fit for […]

As the UN Secretary General’s annual Protection of Civilians report welcomes steps by the United States to develop new civilian harm mitigation and tracking mechanisms, a coalition of civil society organisations specialised in the subject call on the United Kingdom to follow suit. After devastating revelations published in The New York Times late last year […]

The Dutch Ministry of Defence, Defensie, has finally outlined to Parliament the steps it expects to take in both the short and long term, to address civilian casualties from Dutch actions. Since late 2020, Airwars has been part of a consortium of civil society and academic organisations working with the Defensie to help improve the […]