The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons is one of the principal instruments of international humanitarian law. It seeks to minimize suffering in armed conflict by prohibiting or regulating the use of certain weapons which may cause unnecessary suffering or have indiscriminate effects. This publication contains the text of the Convention, its Protocols and the amendments adopted through 28 November 2003. It is intended to promote understanding of the Convention's rules and to facilitate its ratification and implementation by governments.