Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences of Explosive Weapons Use in Populated Areas (EWIPA) - Signing Ceremony - DUBLIN, November 18, 2022 [fr]

Mr. Minister,

First of all, allow me to thank you and your team for organizing this conference and for your tireless efforts throughout the process leading to the adoption of the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Area.

France fully associates itself with this declaration, which bears witness to our collective will to reduce human suffering and our commitment to international humanitarian law. The relentless promotion of international humanitarian law has always been at the heart of France’s diplomatic action. Similarly, the rules and principles of international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians, have always guided the actions of our forces in all the operations they conduct or in which they participate.

At this very moment, indiscriminate bombings and deliberate attacks against civilians are taking place. Every day we see the humanitarian consequences and destruction caused by the uncontrolled and indiscriminate use of explosive weapons in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and suffered by the Ukrainian people. They are unbearable, in Ukraine as in other theaters of conflict. These grave violations of international humanitarian law must not be tolerated. They must not go unpunished.
In the face of the violation of the most elementary principles regarding the preservation of civilian populations and property in populated areas during armed conflicts, we must, again and again, work together for better respect of international humanitarian law. This is the objective and the primary purpose of the political commitment we are making today by signing up to this declaration. Its implementation, which is in line with positive international humanitarian law, will contribute to the evolution of the operational procedures and practices of the armed forces in order to minimize civilian casualties and damage, taking into account the specificity of the urban environment and the circumstances of the attack. Thus, among these measures, the command’s assessment may lead to restrict or refrain from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, when their use would be highly likely to harm the civilian population or civilian objects.

The adoption of this declaration is only a first step, the beginning of a process that will help foster cooperation and the sharing of good practices aimed at translating the principles of international humanitarian law into the planning and conduct of military operations. We are convinced that strengthening cooperation, training and the exchange of technical and tactical know-how between States and their armed forces will ensure better respect for international humanitarian law and thus strengthen the protection of civilian populations.

To this end, we encourage States to sign this political declaration and to participate actively in its follow-up mechanism. France has already begun a campaign to promote this declaration among its partners and is sparing no effort to ensure its universalization.

Mr. Minister,

Allow me once again to congratulate you on the adoption of this political declaration. You may rest assured of France’s support for the continuation of this process, which will enable us to work together to improve respect for the rules and principles of international humanitarian law and to reduce civilian suffering.

Thank you.

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