Peru presented, in Oslo, its position on the severe humanitarian consequences of the use of explosive weapons at the follow-up conference to the
"Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas."
During the conference, held from April 22 to 24 in the Kingdom of Norway, the Peruvian delegation —led by Ambassador
Enrique Roman Morey, in his capacity as
senior advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs— supported the country's firm position against the use of this type of weapons and the severe problem that this poses.
In his speech, Ambassador Roman, who has more than 25 years of experience in disarmament issues, said that the effects of the use of explosive devices in populated areas are manifold, adding that the most painful ones are "the loss of human lives and the care of surviving victims."
In his presentation, the ambassador highlighted the fact that, in November 2023, Peru completed the destruction of its cluster munition stocks, thus meeting its international commitments within the framework of the Oslo Convention. This achievement was made possible thanks to the valuable support from the Kingdom of Norway and the Norwegian People's Aid.
Finally, the Peruvian delegation expressed its support for the report of the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which shows the disturbing relationship between the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and the environmental degradation.
Moreover, the document stresses the need to address —with a holistic approach— the severe consequences of this type of weapons, not only in humanitarian terms, but also in environmental terms. This approach will contribute, in a significant manner, to the achievement of the
Sustainable Development Goals.
It should be noted that Peru joined the "Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas" in November 2022.
(END) NDP/RMB
Published: 4/24/2024