Depleted Uranium Weapons and International Law: A Precautionary Approach

This books provides an in-depth analysis of the international legal aspects of the use of depleted uranium (DU) ammunition and armour. The military use of DU has been surrounded by considerable controversy, mainly as regards the health and environmental risks that such use entails. The debate about DU has thus far been highly polarised, with one end of the spectrum rejecting any risk whatsoever and the other end suggesting that the use of DU leads to severe health and environmental consequences, including Gulf-War syndrome, whenever it is used. Rather than settling these controversies, the book takes as a starting point a precautionary approach in light of the considerable remaining scientific uncertainties. It examines various principles and rules of international law, which would be at play if the health and environmental concerns regarding the use of DU were to materialise.

The Nature and Military Use of Depleted Uranium and the Consequences of Its Use in Armed Conflict.- Depleted Uranium and its Use in Weapons.- Environmental and Health Consequences of The Use of Depleted Uranium Weapons.- The International Legal Regulation of Depleted Uranium Weapons.- The Law of Arms Control and Depleted Uranium Weapons.- A Military View on Depleted Uranium.- The use of Depleted Uranium and the Prohibition of Weapons of a Nature to Cause Superfluous Injury or Unnecessary Suffering.- The Use of Depleted Uranium and the Principles of Distinction, Proportionality and Precaution.- The Use of Depleted Uranium and the Prohibition against the use of Poisoned Weapons.- The Use of Depleted Uranium and the Direct Protection of the Environment Under jus in Bello.- The use of Depleted Uranium as a Potential Violation of Human Rights.- Responsibility and Remedies Concerning The Use of Depleted Uranium Weapons.- State Responsibility for the use of Depleted Uranium Weapons in Armed Conflict.- Internationaland Domestic Remedies for Individuals Suffering Damage as a Result of Exposure to Depleted Uranium Weapons.- Conclusions and the Way Forward.- Averting Foreseeable and Unexpected Damage: The Case for a Precautionary Approach Vis-A-Vis Depleted Uranium Weapons.