![]() The law expanded an existing regulation banning investments in landmine manufacturers. In addition, Belgium was the first country in the world to prohibit investments in producers of cluster munitions, when in 2007 its parliament unanimously adopted the ‘Mahoux Law’ (named after the law’s sponsor Senator Philippe Mahoux). Belgium’s unprecedented legislative initiatives preceded the international treaties banning landmines and cluster munitions (Mine Ban Treaty and Cluster Munitions Convention), and inspired, strengthened and shaped the international approach. Through the Law on Anti-personnel Mines, 1995 and the Law Regulating Economic and Individual Activities with Weapons, 2006, Belgium became the first country in the world to, respectively, adopt national legislation banning landmines and cluster munitions. landmines and cluster munitions, comprehensive prohibitions were not possible to achieve through the CCW due to opposition by a few stand-out States Parties, and so like-minded groups of countries negotiated separate, stand-alone treaties. Subsequent protocols to the CCW have provided restrictions or comprehensive prohibitions on specific weapons systems, the use of which would cause superfluous injury or cause unnecessary suffering. It affirmed ‘the principle of international law that the right of the parties to an armed conflict to choose methods or means of warfare is not unlimited, and on the principle that prohibits the employment in armed conflicts of weapons, projectiles and material and methods of warfare of a nature to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering.’ In 1980, the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (CCW) was adopted. At that time, this included poisonous gases and expanding bullets. The Hague Conventions of 18 codified international humanitarian law applicable in wartime, including protection of civilians and prisoners of war and prohibition of weapons systems that were inhumane. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |