The Syrian conflict is entering its 8th year; Handicap International's campaign against the bombing of civilian populations is more relevant than ever.

Handicap International has relaunched its "Stop Bombing Civilians" campaign against the bombardment of civilian populations, which have become commonplace in the current conflicts in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. The association is calling on the general public to sign an online petition calling on states to end the use of explosive weapons in populated areas that kill and injure 92% of civilians. The goal is to obtain 1 million signatures, and then officially submit the petition to the United Nations and political leaders in September 2018.

As part of the "Stop Bombing Civilians" campaign, Handicap International is calling on states to take immediate action and devise a political declaration aimed at reducing the suffering of civilians and improving their protection when they live in conflict zones. Ending the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and assisting victims and affected communities. The organisation is asking the general public to sign the petition on its website www.hi-lux.lu . This petition, which aims to collect 1 million signatures internationally, already has 390,000 signatures. It will be submitted to the United Nations and policy makers in September 2018.

For seven years, Syrians have been victims of a conflict marked by the massive and continuous use of explosive weapons. Large-scale air strikes targeting Eastern Ghouta since 18 February 2018 have killed more than 1,100 people and destroyed countless civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and health centres. But Syria is not alone in suffering these violations of international humanitarian law: according to the latest report of Action on Armed Violence, published in May 2017, 45,624 people were killed or wounded by explosive weapons through the world in 2016. Of these victims, 32,088 were civilians.

The bombardment of civilian populations has terrible humanitarian consequences: serious and disabling injuries, heavy psychological trauma, forced displacements and impoverishment of the population, destruction of essential infrastructures (hospitals, ports, bridges ...), disruption of the socio-economic fabric. "We invite every citizen to say Stop by signing HI's petition. Our aim is to force states to recognise the humanitarian consequences of bombing and artillery fire in populated areas," said Martin Lagneau, Director of Handicap International Luxembourg. "This practice, which has become commonplace in today's conflicts, has terrible humanitarian consequences. We must put an end to it."​