Human Rights Watch has expressed condemnation for President Joe Biden’s decision to provide cluster bombs to Ukraine, citing the risk they pose to civilians and the violation of international law. The organization highlights concerns raised by human rights groups and some Democrats, while a Moscow envoy criticizes the move as cynical.
President Biden defended his decision, stating that the Ukrainians are running out of ammunition and that it was a difficult but necessary action. However, human rights groups and critics argue that the use of cluster bombs is inhumane and violates international law.
Cluster bombs are banned by more than 120 countries due to their high failure rate and the risk they pose to civilians. The munitions can remain unexploded on the ground, posing a danger long after the conflict ends. The US Cluster Munition Coalition and Amnesty International have raised concerns about the decision, emphasizing the threat to civilian lives and the suffering it may cause for decades.
Some US lawmakers have expressed mixed reactions, with Democrats labeling the decision alarming and a mistake, while others, including Republican leaders, support the move as a means to target and eliminate Russian forces more effectively.
While there has been no immediate backlash from allies, Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the military alliance does not take a position on cluster munitions. Germany, a signatory of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, expressed understanding for the American position but confirmed that it would not provide such bombs to Ukraine.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has seen the use of cluster munitions by both sides, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries to civilians. The situation highlights the urgent need for adherence to international law and the protection of civilian populations in times of conflict.