Protecting civilians from the effects of explosive weapons : an analysis of international legal and policy standards / Maya Brehm ; UNIDIR, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research.

"United Nations publications"--Title page verso.

"UNIDIR/2012/8."

Includes bibliographical references.

Also available online.

Introduction -- Scope and method -- The regulation of explosive weapons -- Protecting civilians in populated areas from the effects of explosive weapons -- Conclusion : placing greater constraints on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

The use of explosive weapons (shells, bombs, et cetera) in populated areas causes grave humanitarian harm. This study analyses how explosive weapons are regulated in international law and policy, what constraints are placed on the use of explosive weapons, and how civilians are protected against the effects of explosive weapons. It concludes that the dominant legal and policy discourse fails to articulate the serious risk of harm associated with the use of explosive weapons in populated areas in a manner that adequately protects civilians. Systematic characterization of the humanitarian harm, and a detailed assessment of the risk of harm and the measures taken to reduce that risk, could further the elaboration of legal and policy standards that enhance the protection of civilians.