The Belgian parliament is considering adopting a resolution to help protect civilians from the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas. The resolution calls for Belgium\u2019s active participation in ongoing diplomatic negotiations among nations on an international political declaration to avoid the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, to help reduce civilian suffering.<\/p>\n
In a joint statement<\/a> published on January 12th, Airwars, Humanity & Inclusion<\/a>, PAX Christi Vlaanderen<\/a> and PAX for Peace<\/a> called upon Members of Parliament in Belgium to support the resolution. The statement reads: \u201cSuch resolution is a good step in the right direction as it clearly demands the Belgian Federal Government for an unequivocal commitment against the use of high-impact explosive weapons in populated areas, in line with the presumption of non-use; a recognition of the \u201cdomino effects\u201d of wide-range explosive weapons; and a commitment to victim assistance and unconditional access to humanitarian aid. After dozens of parliamentary questions, motions and public hearings in France, Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg and the UK, the adoption of this resolution would be pioneering as it is the first of its kind.\u201d<\/p>\n Parliamentary hearing<\/strong><\/p>\n On January 6th, the National Defence Commission of the Belgian Federal Parliament came together to discuss a draft of Resolution 1222\/1 on the protection of civilians from the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas. Prior to the hearing, Airwars, Humanity & Inclusion, Pax Christi Vlaanderen and PAX for Peace sent Members of Parliament a letter<\/a> with key recommendations.<\/p>\n If the Resolution is adopted by the Belgian parliament, it could be a key event in the ongoing negotiations between nations on an international political declaration. Since October 2019, more than 70 countries, including Belgium, have participated in diplomatic negotiations led by Ireland to draft such a declaration.<\/p>\n During the parliamentary hearing on January 6th, experts from the Belgian Red Cross and Humanity & Inclusion (HI) gave short presentations on the importance of the proposed resolution. Anne Hery, director of advocacy and institutional relations at HI, stated: \u201cHow can one systematically claim to respect the principles of precaution and proportionality of attack when using artillery or mortar shells in places where children, women and men are concentrated, or when bombing near infrastructures vital for the survival of populations, such as hospitals, schools or even power stations? The devastation in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Ukraine, Libya, more recently in Nagorno Karabakh or in the Tigray region, in Ethiopia, forces us to rethink the methods, tactics and choice of weapons of war used today.\u201d<\/p>\n "Comment peut-on pr\u00e9tendre syst\u00e9matiquement respecter les principes de pr\u00e9caution & proportionnalit\u00e9 de l\u2019attaque lorsqu\u2019on utilise obus d\u2019artillerie\/mortier dans des lieux o\u00f9 se concentrent des civils ou quand on bombarde \u00e0 proximit\u00e9 d\u2019infrastructures vitales?" @Anneh2906<\/a> #EWIPA<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/40NFKrBiKj<\/a><\/p>\n — Baptiste Chapuis (@Baptiste_Cps) January 6, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n