Use of explosive weapons in populated areas

That this House notes that the use of explosive weapons in towns and cities is a leading cause of civilian casualties in modern conflict; further notes with regret the devastating long-term humanitarian consequences caused by the destruction of critical civilian infrastructure including homes, schools, hospitals, water and sanitation systems and power supplies as a result of conflict; is disturbed by the UN’s finding that in 2019 the use of explosive weapons in populated areas was responsible for almost 40 per cent of verified incidents where children were killed or maimed in conflict; notes the call by the UN Secretary-General and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross for States to develop an international Political Declaration on avoiding the use of explosive weapons in populated areas; welcomes the process to develop such a Political Declaration led by the Republic of Ireland; believes that the UK Government has a moral responsibility to work with international partners to strengthen the protection of civilians against the use of explosive weapons in their towns and cities; notes that as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the penholder for Protection of Civilians, and as a leading member of NATO, the UK Government has the influence to persuade other States to follow where it leads; and calls on the UK Government to endorse the Irish-led Political Declaration on explosive weapons, encourage other States to do the same, and lead efforts to develop guidelines for its effective implementation.