Editing Depleted uranium (section)

==Military applications==
Depleted uranium is very dense; at 19,050&nbsp;kg/m<sup>3</sup>, it is 1.67 times as dense as [[lead]], only slightly less dense than [[tungsten]] and [[gold]], and only 16% less than [[osmium]] or [[iridium]], which are the densest known substances under standard (i.e., Earth-surface) pressures. Consequently, a DU projectile of given mass has a smaller diameter than an equivalent lead projectile with the same [[kinetic energy]], with less [[external ballistics|aerodynamic drag]] and deeper [[terminal ballistics|penetration]] because of a higher pressure at point of impact. DU projectiles are inherently [[incendiary device|incendiary]] because they become [[Pyrophoricity|pyrophoric]] upon impact with the target.<ref name=peacock>{{cite web |last=Peacock |first=H. B. |title=Pyrophoricity of Uranium |url=http://sti.srs.gov/fulltext/WSRC-TR-92-106.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://sti.srs.gov/fulltext/WSRC-TR-92-106.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |publisher=Westinghouse Savannah River Company |date=March 1992 |page=2 |access-date=3 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Primer on Spontaneous Heating and Pyrophoricity |publisher=United States Department of Energy |date=6 January 2015 |access-date=3 May 2015 |url=http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/01/f19/DOE-HDBK-1081-2014.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904034407/http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/01/f19/DOE-HDBK-1081-2014.pdf |archive-date=4 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Armor plate===
Because of its high density, depleted uranium can also be used in tank armor, sandwiched between sheets of steel armor plate. For instance, some late-production [[M1 Abrams|M1A1 and M1A2 Abrams]] tanks built after 1998 have DU modules integrated into their [[Depleted uranium armor|Chobham armor]], as part of the armor plating in the front of the turret, and there is a program to upgrade older tanks.

===Nuclear weapons===
{{main|Nuclear weapons design}}
Depleted uranium can be used as a [[Tamper (nuclear weapon)|tamper]], or [[neutron reflector]], in [[fission bomb]]s. A high density tamper like DU makes for a longer-lasting, more energetic, and more efficient explosion.

===Ammunition===
Most military use of depleted uranium has been as [[30 mm]] ordnance, primarily the 30&nbsp;mm PGU-14/B armor-piercing incendiary round from the [[GAU-8 Avenger]] cannon of the [[A-10 Thunderbolt II]] used by the [[United States Air Force]]. 25&nbsp;mm DU rounds have been used in the [[M242]] gun mounted on the U.S. Army's [[M2 Bradley|Bradley Fighting Vehicle]] and the [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]]'s [[LAV-25]].

The U.S. Marine Corps uses DU in the 25&nbsp;mm PGU-20 round fired by the [[GAU-12 Equalizer]] cannon of the [[AV-8 Harrier II|AV-8B Harrier]], and also in the 20&nbsp;mm [[M197]] gun mounted on [[AH-1 Cobra]] helicopter gunships. The [[United States Navy]]'s [[Phalanx CIWS]]'s [[M61 Vulcan]] [[Gatling gun]] used 20&nbsp;mm armor-piercing penetrator rounds with discarding [[plastic]] sabots and a core made using depleted uranium, however they later changed to using [[tungsten]] penetrators.

[[File:Mark 149 Mod 2 20mm ammunition.jpg|thumb|upright=1|Mark 149 Mod 2 20mm depleted uranium ammunition for the [[Phalanx CIWS]] aboard the battleship [[USS Missouri (BB-63)|USS ''Missouri'']], November 1987.]]

Another use of depleted uranium is in [[kinetic energy penetrator]]s, [[anti-armor]] rounds such as the 120&nbsp;mm [[Sabot (firearms)|sabot rounds]] fired from the British [[Challenger 1]], [[Challenger 2]],<ref>[[Hugh McManners|McManners, Hugh]], ''Gulf War One'' Real Voices From the Front Line, Ebury Publishing, 2010, {{ISBN|9780091935986}}, p. 91.</ref> [[M1 Abrams|M1A1 and M1A2]] Abrams.<ref>{{cite web |author=Fahey, D. |url=http://www.antenna.nl/wise/uranium/pdf/dumyths.pdf |date=12 March 2003 |title=Science or Science Fiction? Facts, Myths and Propaganda In the Debate Over Depleted Uranium Weapons |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050601054749/http://www.antenna.nl/wise/uranium/pdf/dumyths.pdf |archive-date=1 June 2005 |at=Table 1 on p. 13}}</ref> Kinetic energy penetrator rounds consist of a long, relatively thin penetrator surrounded by a discarding sabot. [[Staballoy]]s are metal alloys of depleted uranium with a very small proportion of other metals, usually [[titanium]] or [[molybdenum]]. One formulation has a composition of 99.25% by mass of depleted uranium and 0.75% by mass of [[titanium]]. Staballoys are approximately 1.67 times as dense as lead and are designed for use in kinetic energy penetrator armor-piercing ammunition. The US Army uses DU in an alloy with around 3.5% titanium.

Depleted uranium is favored for the penetrator because it is self-sharpening<ref>{{Cite web |last=Franzen |first=Harald |date=5 March 2001 |title=The Science of the Silver Bullet |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-science-of-the-silver/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Scientific American |language=en}}</ref> and [[flammable]].<ref name=peacock/> On impact with a hard target, such as an armored vehicle, the tip of the projectile will be "mushroomed",<ref>{{cite journal |author=Bo Wang ID|author2=Yongxiang Dong|author3=Guangyan Huang|title=An Investigation on the Adiabatic Shear Bands in Depleted U-0.75 wt % Ti Alloy under Dynamic Loading|journal=Metals |date=2018 |volume=8 |issue=2 |page=145 |doi=10.3390/met8020145 |doi-access=free }}</ref> while the back of the projectile is still a rigid solid, this leads to adiabatic shearing and together with the spin of the projectile results in a shedding of the mushroomed plastic phase in such a way that it forms a new sharp tip. This shedding of the mushroomed tip improves penetration properties compared to the complete dispersal that takes place with tungsten penetrators,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Faulconbridge |first=Guy |date=2023-03-24 |title=Explainer: What are depleted uranium weapons – and what are the risks? |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/what-are-depleted-uranium-weapons-what-are-risks-2023-03-23/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> therefore DU penetrators are 20% more effective than tungsten rounds.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Depleted uranium tank shells: Why are they used and how do they work? |url=https://www.forces.net/ukraine/ukraine-what-are-uranium-tipped-shells-and-how-do-they-work |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Forces Network |date=28 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref> The impact and subsequent release of heat energy causes it to [[combustion|ignite]] when in contact with oxygen.<ref name=peacock/> When a DU penetrator reaches the interior of an armored vehicle, it catches fire, often igniting ammunition and fuel and possibly causing the vehicle to explode.<ref name=":0" /> DU is used by the U.S. Army in 120&nbsp;mm or 105&nbsp;mm cannons employed on the [[M1 Abrams]] [[tank]].

The DU content in various ammunition is 180&nbsp;g in 20&nbsp;mm projectiles, 200&nbsp;g in 25&nbsp;mm ones, 280&nbsp;g in 30&nbsp;mm, 3.5&nbsp;kg in 105&nbsp;mm, and 4.5&nbsp;kg in 120&nbsp;mm penetrators. DU was used during the mid-1990s in the U.S. to make [[hand grenade]]s, and [[land mine]]s, but those applications have been discontinued, according to [[Alliant Techsystems]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2011}} The US Navy used DU in its 20&nbsp;mm [[Phalanx CIWS]] guns, but switched in the late 1990s to armor-piercing tungsten.

Only the US and the UK have acknowledged using DU weapons.{{As of?|date=March 2023}}<ref>McDonald, Avril; Kleffner, Jann K. and Toebes, Brigit eds. (2003) ''The International Legality of the Use of Depleted Uranium Weapons: A Precautionary Approach''. TMC Asser Press.</ref> The Soviet Union and Russia have used DU weaponry since the 3BM-32 Vant, designed for the [[125 mm smoothbore ammunition|125 mm]] tank cannons.<ref name="TNA">{{Cite web | first=Michael | last=Peck | title=Russia Is Arming Its Tanks with a Controversial New 'Bullet' | work=[[The National Interest]] | url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russia-arming-its-tanks-controversial-new-bullet-39682 | date=24 December 2018 | access-date=22 March 2023}}</ref> In 2018, [[TASS]] reported that Russia was arming some of its [[T-80]] models with 3BM60 Svinets-2 DU rounds.<ref name="TNA"/> 782,414 DU rounds were fired during the 1991 war in Iraq, mostly by US forces.<ref name="Guardian-20140619">{{cite news |last=Edwards |first=Rob |date=19 June 2014 |title=US fired depleted uranium at civilian areas in 2003 Iraq war, report finds |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/19/us-depleted-uranium-weapons-civilian-areas-iraq |work=The Guardian |location=London, England}}</ref> In a three-week period of conflict in Iraq during 2003, it was estimated that between 1,000 and 2,000 tonnes of depleted uranium munitions were used.<ref name="gaurdian2003">{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Brown |date=25 April 2003 |title=Gulf troops face tests for cancer |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/apr/25/internationaleducationnews.armstrade |access-date=29 August 2013}}</ref> More than 300,000 DU rounds were fired during the 2003 war, the vast majority by US troops.<ref name=Guardian-20140619/> The [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] (IAEA) estimates that between 170 and 1,700 tonnes of depleted uranium was dropped in Iraq by the US military since 2003, whereas the UK reported firing 1.9 tonnes of depleted uranium weapons in Iraq<ref>{{cite journal |author=Surdyk |first1=Shelby |last2=Itani |first2=Moustapha |year=2021 |title=Weaponised uranium and adverse health outcomes in Iraq: a systematic review |journal=[[BMJ Global Health]] |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=e004166 |doi=10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004166 |pmc=7903104 |pmid=33619039}}</ref>

In March 2023, the UK government confirmed it was sending DU rounds to Ukraine along with its [[Challenger 2]] tanks with its 120mm ammunition during the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/m1a1-abrams-variant-will-be-given-to-ukraine-to-expedite-tank-deliveries |title= M1A1 Abrams Variant Will Be Given To Ukraine To Expedite Tank Deliveries |date= 21 March 2023 |publisher= The Drive |access-date= 21 March 2023 |archive-date= 30 March 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230330125933/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/m1a1-abrams-variant-will-be-given-to-ukraine-to-expedite-tank-deliveries |url-status= dead }}</ref>

===Legal status in weapons===
In 1996, the [[International Court of Justice]] (ICJ) gave an advisory opinion on the "[[legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons]]".<ref>[http://www.cornnet.nl/~akmalten/unan5a.html Advisory Opinion 1996 8 July 8; General List No. 95 (req: UNGA)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522005411/http://www.cornnet.nl/~akmalten/unan5a.html |date=22 May 2014 }}. Cornnet.nl. Retrieved 16 January 2011.</ref> This made it clear, in paragraphs 54–56, that [[international law]] on poisonous weapons—the Second Hague Declaration of 29 July 1899, Hague Convention IV of 18 October 1907 and the Geneva Protocol of 17 June 1925—did not cover nuclear weapons, because their prime or exclusive use was not to poison or asphyxiate. This ICJ opinion was about nuclear weapons, but the sentence "The terms have been understood, in the practice of States, in their ordinary sense as covering weapons whose prime, or even exclusive, effect is to poison or asphyxiate," also removes depleted uranium weaponry from coverage by the same treaties as their primary use is not to poison or asphyxiate, but to destroy [[materiel]] and kill soldiers through [[kinetic energy]].

The [[Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities]] of the [[United Nations Human Rights Commission]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.houstonprogressive.org/hpn/iraq08.html |title=Citizen Inspectors Foiled in Search for DU Weapons |website=HOUSTON PROGRESSIVE |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901205246/http://www.houstonprogressive.org/hpn/iraq08.html |archive-date=2015-09-01 |url-status=dead |access-date=16 January 2011}}</ref> passed two motions<ref>{{Cite web |title=Depleted Uranium UN Resolutions |url=http://www.prop1.org/2000/du/resource/000310un.htm |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=www.prop1.org}}</ref>—the first in 1996<ref>[http://www.unhchr.ch/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/0811fcbd0b9f6bd58025667300306dea/887c730868a70a758025665700548a00 International peace and security as an]. Unhchr.ch. Retrieved 16 January 2011.</ref> and the second in 1997.<ref>{{cite web
 |url= http://www.unhchr.ch/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/0/21a4acb0f1b289ed80256633004ce147?
 |title= Opendocument Sub-Commission resolution 1997/36
}}</ref> They listed [[weapons of mass destruction]], or weapons with indiscriminate effect, or of a nature to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering and urged all states to curb the production and the spread of such weapons. Included in the list was weaponry containing depleted uranium. The committee authorized a working paper, in the context of [[human rights]] and humanitarian norms, of the weapons.

The requested UN working paper was delivered in 2002<ref>{{cite web |date=27 June 2002 |title=Human rights and weapons of mass destruction, or with indiscriminate effect, or of a nature to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering |url=https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G02/141/67/PDF/G0214167.pdf?OpenElement |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305030034/https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G02/141/67/PDF/G0214167.pdf?OpenElement |archive-date=5 March 2017 |access-date=31 October 2016 |publisher=United Nations Economic and Social Council}}([http://www.unhchr.ch/huridocda/huridoca.nsf/AllSymbols/22481F4157DE6274C1256C00004C29BB/$File/G0214167.pdf?OpenElement backup]) "In its decision 2001/36 of 16 August 2001, the Sub-Commission, recalling its resolutions 1997/36 and 1997/37 of 28 August 1997, authorized Mr. Y. K. J. Yeung Sik Yuen to prepare, without financial implications, in the context of human rights and humanitarian norms, the working paper originally assigned to Ms. Forero Ucros."</ref> by [[Y. K. J. Yeung Sik Yuen]] in accordance with [[Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights]] resolution 2001/36. He argues that the use of DU in weapons, along with the other weapons listed by the Sub‑Commission, may breach one or more of the following treaties: [[the Universal Declaration of Human Rights]], the [[Charter of the United Nations]], the [[Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide|Genocide Convention]], the [[United Nations Convention Against Torture]], the [[Geneva Conventions]] including [[Protocol I]], the [[Convention on Conventional Weapons]] of 1980, and the [[Chemical Weapons Convention]]. Yeung Sik Yuen writes in Paragraph 133 under the title "''Legal compliance of weapons containing DU as a new weapon''":

{{quotation|Annex II to the [[Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material]] 1980 (which became operative on 8 February 1997) classifies DU as a category II nuclear material. Storage and transport rules are set down for that category which indicates that DU is considered sufficiently "hot" and dangerous to warrant these protections. But since weapons containing DU are relatively new weapons no treaty exists yet to regulate, limit or prohibit its use. The legality or illegality of DU weapons must therefore be tested by recourse to the general rules governing the use of weapons under humanitarian and human rights law which have already been analysed in Part I of this paper, and more particularly at paragraph 35 which states that parties to [[Protocol I]] to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 have an obligation to ascertain that new weapons do not violate the laws and customs of war or any other international law. As mentioned, the [[International Court of Justice]] considers this rule binding customary humanitarian law.}}

[[Louise Arbour]], chief prosecutor for the [[International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia]] led a committee of staff lawyers to investigate possible treaty prohibitions against the use of DU in weapons. Their findings were that:<ref>Sills, Joe ''et al.'' (April 2002) ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20041015050907/http://www.aepi.army.mil/internet/env-crime-icc-printer.pdf Environmental Crimes in Military Actions and the International Criminal Court (ICC) – United Nations Perspectives]'' (PDF) ([https://web.archive.org/web/20041015050907/http://www.aepi.army.mil/internet/env-crime-icc-printer.pdf HTML]) of American Council for the UN University. p. 28 </ref>

{{quotation|There is no specific treaty ban on the use of DU projectiles. There is a developing scientific debate and concern expressed regarding the impact of the use of such projectiles and it is possible that, in future, there will be a consensus view in international legal circles that use of such projectiles violate general principles of the law applicable to use of weapons in armed conflict. No such consensus exists at present.<ref>{{cite report |title=Final Report to the Prosecutor by the Committee Established to Review the NATO Bombing Campaign Against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia |section=ii. Use of Depleted Uranium Projectiles |url=https://www.un.org/icty/pressreal/nato061300.htm#IVA2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806072638/http://www.un.org/icty/pressreal/nato061300.htm#IVA2 |archive-date=6 August 2009}}</ref>}}According to the [[United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research]], depleted uranium does not meet the legal definitions of nuclear, radiological, toxin, chemical, poison or incendiary weapons, as far as DU ammunition is not designed nor intended to kill or wound by its chemical or radiological effects.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=McDonald|first=Avril|date=October 2008|title=Depleted uranium weapons: the next target for disarmament?|url=https://www.unidir.org/files/publications/pdfs/uranium-weapons-en-328.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.unidir.org/files/publications/pdfs/uranium-weapons-en-328.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|journal=Disarmament Forum|publisher=United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research|volume=3|pages=19–20}}</ref>

===Requests for a moratorium on military use===
A number of anti-war activists specializing in [[international humanitarian law]] have questioned the legality of the continued use of depleted uranium weapons, highlighting that the effects may breach the [[Distinction (law)|principle of distinction]] (between civilians and military personnel).<ref>{{cite journal |last=Gibbons |first=O. T. |date=December 2004 |title=Uses and Effects of Depleted Uranium Munitions: Towards a Moratorium on Use |journal=Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law |volume=7 |pages=191–232 |doi=10.1017/S1389135904001916|doi-broken-date=1 December 2024 }}</ref> Some states and the [[International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons]], a coalition of more than 155 [[non-governmental organization]]s, have asked for a ban on the production and military use of depleted uranium weapons.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/i/10.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061207174804/http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/i/10.html|url-status= usurped|archive-date= 7 December 2006| title=ICBUW's membership includes 85 groups in 22 countries worldwide| date=27 September 2006|publisher=The International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons| access-date=22 March 2007}}</ref>

The [[European Parliament]] has repeatedly passed resolutions requesting an immediate [[Moratorium (law)|moratorium]] on the further use of depleted uranium ammunition,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eoslifework.co.uk/pdfs/EUweaponsres12f03.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.eoslifework.co.uk/pdfs/EUweaponsres12f03.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|date=10 February 2003|title=Session Document: European Parliament resolution on the harmful effects of unexploded ordnance (landmines and cluster submunitions) and depleted uranium ammunition|access-date=22 March 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/a/89.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928080849/http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/a/89.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=28 September 2007|publisher=The International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons| access-date=22 March 2007| title=European Parliament Makes Fourth Call for DU Ban| date=22 November 2006}}</ref> but [[France]] and [[United Kingdom|Britain]] – the only [[Europe]]an states that are permanent members of the [[United Nations Security Council]]—have consistently rejected calls for a ban,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/durej.htm|title=DU: Some NATO Countries Reject Moratorium|date=11 January 2001|publisher=UN Wire|access-date=22 March 2007}}</ref> maintaining that its use continues to be legal, and that the health risks are unsubstantiated.<ref name="ukepetition2007">{{cite web|url=http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page11309.asp|date=22 March 2007|title=Depleteduranium – epetition reply|publisher=The Prime Minister's Office|access-date=22 March 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514012751/http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page11309.asp|archive-date=14 May 2007}}</ref>

In 2007, France, Britain, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic voted against a [[United Nations General Assembly]] resolution to hold a debate in 2009 about the effects of the use of armaments and ammunitions containing depleted uranium. All other European Union nations voted in favour or abstained.<ref name="A-62-PV.61">{{UN document |docid=A-62-PV.61 |body=General Assembly |type=Verbotim Report |session=62 |meeting=61 |page=14 |anchor=pg014-bk01 |date=5 December 2007 |speakername=The Acting President |accessdate=21 August 2008}}</ref> The ambassador from the Netherlands explained his negative vote as being due to the reference in the preamble to the resolution "to potential harmful effects of the use of depleted uranium munitions on human health and the environment [which] cannot, in our view, be supported by conclusive scientific studies conducted by relevant international organizations."<ref>{{ UN document |docid=A-62-PV.61 |body=General Assembly |type=Verbotim Report |session=62 |meeting=61 |page=25 |anchor=pg025-bk02 |date=5 December 2007 |speakername=Mr. De Klerk|speakernation=Netherlands |accessdate=21 August 2008}}</ref> None of the other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council supported the resolution as China was absent for the vote, Russia abstained and the United States voted against the resolution.<ref name="A-62-PV.61"/>

In September 2008, and in response to the 2007 General Assembly resolution, the [[UN Secretary General]] published the views of 15 states alongside those of the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] (IAEA) and [[World Health Organization]] (WHO). The IAEA and WHO evidence differed little from previous statements on the issue.<ref name="ICBUW">Staff. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090116014809/http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/a/188.html UN Secretary General Publishes Report on Uranium Weapons]}}, {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120719151325/http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/i/57.html ICBUW]}}, 17 September 2008.</ref> The report was largely split between states concerned about depleted uranium's use, such as [[Finland]], [[Cuba]], [[Japan]], [[Serbia]], [[Argentina]], and predominantly [[NATO]] members, who do not consider the use of depleted uranium munitions problematic.<ref name=ICBUW/>

In December 2008, 141 states supported a resolution requesting that three UN agencies: [[United Nations Environment Programme]] (UNEP), WHO and IAEA update their research on the impact of uranium munitions by late 2010—to coincide with the General Assembly's 65th Session, four voted against, 34 abstained and 13 were absent.<ref name="ga10792">{{cite press release |date=2 December 2008 |url=https://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/ga10792.doc.htm |title=UN Department of Public Information: Effects of the use of Armaments and Ammunitions Containing Depleted Uranium (A/C.1/63/L.26) |id=GA/10792 |publisher=UN}} See draft XIV and Annex XIII.</ref> As before Britain and France voted against the resolution. All other European Union nations voted in favour or abstained: the Netherlands, which voted against a resolution in 2007, voted in favour, as did Finland and [[Norway]], both of which had abstained in 2007, while the Czech Republic, which voted against the resolution in 2007, abstained. The two other states that voted against the resolution were [[Israel]] and the United States (both of which voted against in 2007), while as before [[China]] was absent for the vote, and Russia abstained.<ref name=ga10792/>

In June 2009, [[Belgium]] became the first country in the world to ban: "inert ammunition and armour that contains depleted uranium or any other industrially manufactured uranium."<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190211/http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/a/274.html UK Uranium Weapons Network launched as Belgium becomes first country to ban depleted uranium weapons]}}. Bandepleteduranium.org (22 June 2009). Retrieved 16 January 2011.</ref> The move followed a unanimous parliamentary vote on the issue on 22 March 2007. The text of the 2007 law allowed for two years to pass until it came into force.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/docs/69.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719091019/http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/docs/69.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-19 |url-status=usurped |title=English translation of Belgian text banning uranium weapons and armour |access-date=4 September 2013}}</ref> In April 2009, the Belgian Senate voted unanimously to restrict investments by Belgian banks into the manufacturers of depleted uranium weapons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dekamer.be/FLWB/PDF/52/1935/52K1935001.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.dekamer.be/FLWB/PDF/52/1935/52K1935001.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=Belgian Senate votes to ban investments by Belgian financial institutions into uranium weapon manufacturers |access-date=4 September 2013}}</ref>

In September 2009, the [[Latin American Parliament]] passed a resolution calling for a regional moratorium on the use, production and procurement of uranium weapons. It also called on the Parlatino's members to work towards an international uranium weapons treaty.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/docs/110.pdf |title=Resolución Latinoamericana de la Comision de Derechos Humanos, Justicia y Politicas Carcelarias: Prohibición de las armas de uranio |access-date=4 September 2013 |archive-date=1 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301113809/http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/docs/110.pdf |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

In November 2010 the Irish Senate passed a bill seeking to outlaw depleted uranium weapons,<ref>{{cite web|author=ICBUW |url=http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/a/361.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127152805/http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/a/361.html |archive-date=27 January 2012 |title=Irish depleted uranium ban bill sails through Senate with cross party support |publisher=Bandepleteduranium.org |access-date=4 September 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> but it lapsed before approval by the [[Dáil Éireann|Dáil]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/bills28/bills/2009/4809/document1.htm |title=Oireachtas Web site: Prohibition of Depleted Uranium Weapons Bill 2009 |publisher=Oireachtas.ie |date= 2 July 2009|access-date=4 September 2013}}</ref>

In December 2010, 148 states supported a United Nations' General Assembly resolution calling for the states that use depleted uranium weapons in conflict to reveal where the weapons have been fired when asked to do so by the country upon whose territory they have been used.

In April 2011, the Congress of Costa Rica passed a law prohibiting uranium weapons in its territories, becoming the second country in the world to do so.<ref>{{cite web |author=ICBUW |url=http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/a/407.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501131940/http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/a/407.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=1 May 2011 |title=Costa Rica bans depleted uranium weapons |publisher=Bandepleteduranium.org |access-date=4 September 2013}}</ref>

In December 2012, 155 states supported a United Nations' General Assembly resolution that recalled that, because of the ongoing uncertainties over the long-term environmental impacts of depleted uranium identified by the United Nations Environment Programme, states should adopt a precautionary approach to its use.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/67/36|title=UNGA (2012) A/RES/67/36 Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 3 December 2012, Effects of the use of armaments and ammunitions containing depleted uranium}}</ref>

In December 2014, 150 states supported a United Nations' General Assembly resolution encouraging states to provide assistance to states affected by the use of depleted uranium weapons, in particular in identifying and managing contaminated sites and material.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/69/57|title=UNGA (2014) A/RES/69/57 Effects of the use of armaments and ammunitions containing depleted uranium.}}</ref> In contrast to the previous biennial resolutions, Germany moved to an abstention from supporting to the resolutions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/the-politics-behind-the-2014-du-vote|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203131152/http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/the-politics-behind-the-2014-du-vote|url-status=usurped|archive-date=3 December 2014|title=ICBUW (2014) The politics behind the vote on 2014's UN depleted uranium resolution}}</ref> Prior to the vote, in a report to the United Nations Secretary General requested by 2012's resolution published in June 2014, Iraq had called for a global treaty ban on depleted uranium weapons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/69/151|title=UNGA (2014) Effects of the use of armaments and ammunitions containing depleted uranium. Report of the Secretary-General.}}</ref>