War & law

Explosive remnants of war

Each year large numbers of civilians are killed and injured by “explosive remnants of war”. These are the unexploded weapons such as artillery shells, mortars, grenades, bombs and rockets, left behind after an armed conflict. In 2003, the international community adopted a treaty to help reduce the human suffering caused by explosive remnants of war and bring rapid assistance to affected communities. Read full overview

Highlights

Treaty Law

Protocol V to the CCW on explosive remnants of war, 2003

Reference documents

International Review of the Red Cross More articles

Domestic law

In images More images

Publications More publications

Weapon contamination

The brochure summarizes the problem of weapon contamination and describes how the ICRC acts to protect civilians from the effects of weapon contamination. Topics include clearance, risk education and risk reduction.
Expert Meeting Report: "Humanitarian, Military, Technical and Legal Challenges of Cluster Munitions"

Summary report of the ICRC Expert Meeting on the Humanitarian, Military, Technical and Legal Challenges of Cluster Munitions, 2007.