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<p>The use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas is governed
by International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The UK complies with all appropriate legal
obligations and takes its adherence to IHL extremely seriously. The UK is at the forefront
of international discussions on the subject and officials contributed extensively
to the Vienna Conference on Protection of Civilians in Urban Warfare in October 2019,
in which steps towards a political declaration were taken. The issue centres on balancing
the need to protect civilians with the requirement for responsible states to be able
to operate effectively in the pursuit of national security and defence interests.
Further discussions will take place in Geneva in February 2020 and officials from
Her Majesty’s Government will continue to take a full and active role.</p>
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