Human Rights Watch condemns Syrian use of cluster bombs
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 14 October 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Human Rights Watch condemns Syrian use of cluster bombs, 14 October 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5089072b28.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 14, 2012
By RFE/RL
A leading global rights watchdog has accused the Syrian air force of using cluster bombs against rebels and in populated areas.
Steve Goose, arms director at Human Rights Watch, says Syria's disregard for its civilian population is all too evident in its air campaign, which now apparently includes dropping deadly cluster bombs into populated areas.
He called on Damascus to "immediately stop" the use of the deadly munitions.
A cluster bomb can carry up to 650 submunitions, which are sprayed over a large area and designed to detonate on impact.
But between 5 and 40 percent of them fail to explode and turn into antipersonnel mines that can prove deadly for civilian populations.
Syria has not ratified a convention banning cluster bombs that has been adopted by 109 countries since 2008.
With reporting by AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
