Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the use by combatants in Ukraine of internationally prohibited weapons, for example anti-personnel mines, cluster weapons, flechettes or dum-dum bullets.

We are concerned by reports regarding the use of cluster munitions in Ukraine. The National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine stated on 21 October and 3 December 2014 that the Ukrainian Army has not used cluster munitions. Cluster munitions should in no circumstances be used intentionally to target civilians, and all parties to the conflict must act in accordance with international humanitarian law. Neither Ukraine nor the Russian Federation are yet States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and we call on both states to accede to that Convention.

We are also aware of reports of the use of anti-personnel mines on Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean Peninsula. At present, it is not possible to conclude with certainty whether any parties to the conflict have used anti-personnel mines, nor which parties were responsible for such use if it has occurred. We continue, however, to monitor the situation on the ground. Ukraine is a State Party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and we encourage them to adhere to their obligations under the Convention. The Russian Federation is not a State Party to that convention, and we encourage it to accede.

We are not aware of flechettes or expanding bullets having been used by any parties to the conflict in Ukraine.

We are clear that all parties to the conflict in Ukraine should act in accordance with international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.