The Use of Depleted Uranium (DU) Weapons in the Context of International Humanitarian Law

After depleted uranium (DU) weapons were used in Yugoslavia and particularly in Iraq, reports about an increase in diseases such as some types of cancer and congenital anomalies in these regions raised concerns about the harmful effects of this class of weaponry on the human health. Although the studies conducted thenceforth have not found conclusive evidence as to the existence of a definitive correlation between depleted uranium and the mentioned diseases, doubts continue to persist. In light of the humanitarian law principles and opinions of international organizations, this article seeks to find out what the legal status of these weapons would be if the aforementioned effects were established and whether it would be possible to use them in armed conflicts.