Convention on Certain Conventional Arms

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The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons , the full name of the Convention on the Prohibition or Restriction of the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which cause excessive suffering or which can have indiscriminate effects , ( English Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, CCW , or 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 ) is a treaty under international law or a UN convention that was signed on October 10, 1980 in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations . The abbreviations UN Arms Convention , Arms Convention of 1980 or UN Arms Convention are also used. It came into force on December 2, 1983 after the minimum number of 20 ratifying states had been reached.

The convention is a framework agreement that clarifies the basic objectives and rules. Reference is primarily made to Convention IV of the Geneva Conventions , which guarantees the protection of civilians in times of war. The precise subject matter of the contract is set out in individual protocols that must be individually signed by the states. In order to be considered a signatory to the convention, at least two protocols must be signed.

On December 21, 2001, the framework agreement was expanded to include clarifications regarding non-international conflicts ( Federal Law Gazette 2004 II pp. 1507, 1508 ).

Protocol I on undetectable splinters

This protocol prohibits the use of weapons whose main effect is based on injuries caused by fragments that cannot be detected by X-rays . (e.g. glass mine )

  • Adopted in Geneva on October 10, 1980; In force since: December 2, 1983

Protocol II on landmines, booby traps and other devices

The protocol specifies rules based on the Geneva Conventions for the Protection of Civilians for the use of land mines and booby traps . In addition, remotely deployable mines must be equipped with a mechanism for self-deactivation. Booby traps may not be installed in some cases (e.g. dead or injured people, children's toys, food). Minefields must be documented and the information must be passed on after the conflict.

  • Adopted in Geneva on October 10, 1980; In force since: December 2, 1983

As this protocol does not adequately regulate the mine problem, changes were adopted. Non-localizable mines with a metal content of less than 8 grams are prohibited. (e.g. M14 (mine) ). Use of mines without a self-deactivation mechanism has been restricted. Trigger mechanisms that react to the magnetic field of a metal detector are prohibited .

Since there was no general ban on anti-personnel mines despite the changes, the Ottawa Convention was passed outside the UN .

Protocol III on incendiary weapons

The protocol specifies rules based on the Geneva Conventions for the Protection of Civilians for the use of incendiary weapons .

  • Adopted in Geneva on October 10, 1980; In force since: December 2, 1983

Protocol IV on blinding laser weapons

In this protocol be laser prohibited weapons whose primary purpose is a blindness to bring about, if the target or no corrective eyesight devices used. See also blinding weapon .

Protocol V on Explosive Remnants of War

According to this protocol, parties participating in the war are to be made responsible for disposing of ordnance . Information about the location, number and quality of the ammunition as well as technical, personal and financial assistance must be provided.

  • Adopted in Geneva on November 28, 2003; In force since: November 12, 2006

Protocol VI on cluster munitions (failed)

Between 2007 and 2011, the member states negotiated a new protocol. This Protocol VI should regulate the prohibition of the use, transfer and storage of cluster munitions . Because of the incompatible position of the states, the negotiations ended without result.

Since it became clear early on that no quick success would be achieved within the UN Weapons Convention, a group of states outside the convention agreed on a ban on this weapon in the Convention on Cluster Munitions .

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