We call for immediate action to prevent civilian suffering from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA). We conduct research and document the impact of explosive weapons in populated areas on civilians, looking at both direct and indirect effects. We speak out against use and engage with states to work towards better protection against the use of explosive weapons, including through the implementation of the political declaration to address the humanitarian consequences from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
PAX calls for immediate action to prevent civilian suffering from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA). PAX is co-founder and member of the steering committee of the International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW).
Stop bombing civilians
Explosive weapons
Explosive weapons include mass-produced weapons like grenades, mortars and rockets as well as home-made bombs (improvised explosive devices, or IEDs). While different technical features dictate the precision and impact of various explosive weapons, all such weapons generally create a zone of blast and fragmentation. Explosive weapons which cause the most damage are those with a wide area effect. This is the case with explosive weapons that have a substantial fragmentation or blast radius, when multiple explosive warheads or firings are used at the same target, when the delivery is inaccurate or when a combination of these three characteristics occurs. According to the British organization Action on Armed Violence, 9 out of 10 casualties are civilians when explosive weapons are used in populated areas.
The problem
Explosive weapons, particularly explosive weapons that affect a wide area, puts civilians at great risk when used in towns and cities. Research indicates that when explosive weapons are used 9 out of 10 casualties are civilians. Besides the direct casualties, the destruction to civilian infrastructure creates a severe and often inter related pattern of harm.
Our Stance
PAX calls on all parties of conflict to avoid the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, for the risk they pose to civilians, including stopping the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas. We call for greater transparency about the consequences of using explosive weapons in towns and cities and their impact on the civilian population, whether direct or indirect. States should gather relevant data and make it available, as well as review and, where necessary, strengthen national policies and practices on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. We call upon states to endorse The Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, and implement the declaration in the strongest possible way without delay.
FAQ
There are many types of explosive weapons, including grenades, mortar bombs, artillery shells and aircraft bombs, as well as improvised explosive devices (IEDs). As the name suggests, these weapons explode – killing and injuring people, or damaging vehicles and buildings through the blast and fragmentation that an explosion creates around the point of detonation. Different types of explosive weapons may be delivered in different ways (some are fired from the ground , others are dropped from the air), and they may vary in the scale of effects that they create, but they share the tendency to affect an area with blast and fragmentation.
When used in populated areas, certain types of explosive weapons pose a greater risk of harm to civilians than others. Three key factors increase that risk – the accuracy of the weapon’s delivery, the blast and fragmentation radius, and the use of multiple munitions. These can work on their own or in combination to create wide area effects.
The political declaration is an international non legally binding instrument that can be endorsed by states. Please find the list of endorsing states here.
Yes, the Netherlands endorsed the political declaration when it opened for endorsement in November 2022.

After the blast
Mapping environmental risks from explosive weapons in Ukrainian towns and cities.