- Thread starter
- Staff
- #1
Dadparvar
Staff member
- Nov 11, 2016
- 11,239
- 0
- 6
Human Rights Watch and the International Human Rights Clinic (IHRC) at Harvard Law School released a report Wednesday documenting 23 verified incidents of Israeli use of white phosphorus munitions in southern Lebanon between March and May 2026, urging the international community to take action to develop new regulations for these “devastating weapons.”
Bonnie Docherty, senior arms advisor at HRW and lecturer at the IHRC, explains the core concerns, stating:
To address these concerns, the experts focus on the Martens Clause. This is an important provision in international humanitarian law that ensures civilians are protected by customary international law, principles of humanity, and dictates of public conscience in situations where there is no dedicated treaty for the issue. Where weapons fail to meet those standards, targeted legal protections are needed.
For principles of humanity, the report addresses how white phosphorus violates the standards of humane treatment of others and respect for human life and dignity. Reported injuries associated with white phosphorus include deep burns, sometimes to the bone; respiratory damage; organ failure; and intense eye irritation. The burns are described by doctors as “among the most painful injuries an individual can face.” Additionally, treating these injuries requires significant supplies and long-term care, including surgeries and psychological support. This process is described as “one of the most complex, time-consuming, and costly endeavors in rehabilitation medicine.”
For dictates of public conscience, the report relies on perspectives of governments, non-governmental organizations, and more to highlight shared moral guidelines. Statements quoted include strong language such as “horrific,” “horrendous,” and “cruel” as well as expressions of deep concern at the apparent lack of legal consequences for using white phosphorus indiscriminately against civilians.
Taking these findings together, the experts insist that current protections are inadequate and that countries put the issue on the agenda at the UN General Assembly’s disarmament meeting which will take place throughout the month of October 2026.
The use of these weapons by Israeli forces is a long-documented concern. For example, Amnesty International has previously published evidence of its use along Lebanon’s southern border in October 2023. Similarly, they have reported on its use in the Gaza Strip. HRW has also previously called for stronger regulation of incendiary weapons more generally in November 2024.
White phosphorus is a chemical that instantly ignites when combined with oxygen. One projectile can cause the chemical to fall over an area between 125 to 250 meters where it can burn for days or even weeks.
The post Rights experts call for new international regulation of “devastating” white phosphorus munitions appeared first on JURIST - News.
Continue reading...
Note: We don't have any responsibilities about this news. Its been posted here by Feed Reader and we had no controls and checking on it. And because News posted here will be deleted automatically after 21 days, threads are closed so that no one spend time to post and discuss here. You can always check the source and discuss in their site.
Bonnie Docherty, senior arms advisor at HRW and lecturer at the IHRC, explains the core concerns, stating:
The report explains Protocol III to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), which was adopted in 1980 pertaining to incendiary weapons. This document prohibits using these weapons dropped from the air in “concentrations of civilians,” but through its definitions and specific focus on air-dropped weapons, the convention raises concerns over “loopholes” in its protection of civilians.
To address these concerns, the experts focus on the Martens Clause. This is an important provision in international humanitarian law that ensures civilians are protected by customary international law, principles of humanity, and dictates of public conscience in situations where there is no dedicated treaty for the issue. Where weapons fail to meet those standards, targeted legal protections are needed.
For principles of humanity, the report addresses how white phosphorus violates the standards of humane treatment of others and respect for human life and dignity. Reported injuries associated with white phosphorus include deep burns, sometimes to the bone; respiratory damage; organ failure; and intense eye irritation. The burns are described by doctors as “among the most painful injuries an individual can face.” Additionally, treating these injuries requires significant supplies and long-term care, including surgeries and psychological support. This process is described as “one of the most complex, time-consuming, and costly endeavors in rehabilitation medicine.”
For dictates of public conscience, the report relies on perspectives of governments, non-governmental organizations, and more to highlight shared moral guidelines. Statements quoted include strong language such as “horrific,” “horrendous,” and “cruel” as well as expressions of deep concern at the apparent lack of legal consequences for using white phosphorus indiscriminately against civilians.
Taking these findings together, the experts insist that current protections are inadequate and that countries put the issue on the agenda at the UN General Assembly’s disarmament meeting which will take place throughout the month of October 2026.
The use of these weapons by Israeli forces is a long-documented concern. For example, Amnesty International has previously published evidence of its use along Lebanon’s southern border in October 2023. Similarly, they have reported on its use in the Gaza Strip. HRW has also previously called for stronger regulation of incendiary weapons more generally in November 2024.
White phosphorus is a chemical that instantly ignites when combined with oxygen. One projectile can cause the chemical to fall over an area between 125 to 250 meters where it can burn for days or even weeks.
The post Rights experts call for new international regulation of “devastating” white phosphorus munitions appeared first on JURIST - News.
Continue reading...
Note: We don't have any responsibilities about this news. Its been posted here by Feed Reader and we had no controls and checking on it. And because News posted here will be deleted automatically after 21 days, threads are closed so that no one spend time to post and discuss here. You can always check the source and discuss in their site.