KYIV, Ukraine – The United States Department of Defense announced on June 7, 2023 that President Joe Biden had approved the transfer of cluster munitions to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This decision was met with concern from leaders in at least eleven countries, including Austria, Germany, and the United Kingdom, as well as the United Nations secretary-general. Following the announcement, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov outlined five principles that the armed forces would adhere to upon receiving the cluster munitions.
Human Rights Watch reported that Ukrainian forces have used cluster munitions that resulted in numerous deaths and serious injuries to civilians, while Russian forces have extensively used cluster munitions in Ukraine, causing civilian casualties and other harm. Both countries should cease using these weapons, as they pose immediate danger to civilians and have long-lasting impacts. Unfortunately, the United States is reportedly considering transferring stockpiled cluster munitions to Ukraine, despite their potential to cause severe harm to civilians.
The use of cluster munitions in areas inhabited by civilians violates international humanitarian law and may constitute war crimes. Despite this, Ukraine has publicly requested to be supplied with cluster munitions, and some US lawmakers have called for the transfer of these weapons to the Ukrainian government. However, Human Rights Watch has warned against providing cluster munitions to any country, emphasizing the lasting harm they pose to civilians and the undermining of global efforts to ban them.
Human Rights Watch visited several locations in and around the city of Izium to investigate the impact of cluster munition attacks. They found evidence of numerous attacks resulting in civilian casualties, including deaths and injuries. These attacks took place between March and July 2022 while the areas were under Russian occupation. In each location, residents identified nearby positions that Russian or Russian-linked forces had used at the time of the attack, indicating that these forces were the likely target.
With the severe and lasting impact of cluster munition attacks on civilians, it is crucial for all parties involved to adhere to international humanitarian law and cease the use of these weapons. The United States, along with other countries, should prioritize the protection of civilians and refrain from transferring or using cluster munitions, given the foreseeable and significant risks they pose.