"Are you IN?" was the campaign slogan with which Handicap INternational raised awareness on the occasion of the 17th Shoe Pyramid on Saturday 1 October at the Place d'Armes in Luxembourg city centre.
The initiative was created to raise awareness of, and to mobilse against, the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. Members of the public have become aware of the problem and think about the topic through animations prepared by the association. Despite rainy weather on Saturday, the public responded well.
The campaign slogan attracted members of the public to learn about the use of explosive weapons in populated areas that count for 92% of civilian casualties, and to mobilise against this practice of war that violates INternational humanitarian law. Based on this slogan and the message "bombing civilians, not war, is a crime," citizens could respond to the mobilisation by donning versions of the slogan: "I am IN" "I am Informed", "I am INvolved", "it is crimINal" and also through the testimony of "INjured" victims - an invitation to become aware of the extent of the problem and think about a practice that should no longer remain indifferent!
"Today the news reminds us every day how the bombings are rampant among the civilian population, especially during the current conflict in Syria, Gaza, Ukraine, Yemen, etc. Civilians are often deliberately targeted and violence that befalls them is increasingly brutal and uncontrolled" stated Lagneau Martin, Director of Handicap INternational Luxembourg. "When explosive weapons (shells, grenades, mortar, etc.) are used in populated areas, 92% of victims are civilians. These practices must stop as they violate the principles of international humanitarian law. It is time to deal with this problem. It is more necessary than ever to mobilise to put an end to the use of explosive weapons in populated areas!".
