Human Rights Watch urges US not to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions

The organization published the statement on its website.

Human Rights Watch alleged that Ukraine widely used cluster munitions during the liberation of the Kharkiv region.

"Ukrainian forces have used cluster munitions that caused deaths and serious injuries to civilians," HRW said.

At the same time, the organization recognizes that Russia also uses cluster munitions.

"Both sides should immediately stop using cluster munitions and not seek to obtain more of these indiscriminate weapons. The US should not transfer cluster munitions to Ukraine," the human rights activists emphasized.

The organization cited instances of civilians being killed or injured by such ammunition, specifically in Izyum.

HRW noted that the US government is close to making a decision to transfer the accumulated cluster munitions to Ukraine, which will require the approval of President Joe Biden. The transfer of these weapons will inevitably lead to long-term civilian suffering and undermine the international unacceptability of their use, Human Rights Watch said.

Supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine

The 2008 pact, known as the Convention on Cluster Munitions, was adopted by 123 countries, including a majority of the 28 NATO members. However, countries such as the United States, Russia, and Ukraine did not become parties to the convention. It is important to note that Russia is actively using cluster munitions in the war against Ukraine.

In December 2022, Ukraine asked the United States to provide it with cluster munitions for MLRS and artillery shells. At the time, the administration of US President Joe Biden was not ready to fulfill this request and was considering it.

In February 2023, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on Western allies to provide the country with cluster munitions.

Following Ukraine's initial request to the United States for cluster munitions, there was an expansion of the appeal. Kyiv specifically asked Washington for MK-20 aircraft cluster bombs with the intention of modifying them for use with drones. It was revealed that there was some level of support for Ukraine's request within the US Congress. However, the Biden administration strongly opposed the proposal due to the international treaty banning cluster munitions that was established in 2008.

Later, 4 members of the US Congress from the Republican Party called on the US President to send cluster munitions to Ukraine.