International Humanitarian Right (IHR) is based on four major fundamental principles. Because of their inherent design, submunition bombs violate each of these basic rules. 

Attacks must be limited to combat forces.

Military operations must be carried out by taking care to avoid causing loss or damage to civilians and civil property “that would be excessive in relation to the expected, concrete and direct military advantage.”

It is forbidden to employ arms that cause superfluous and useless damage.

The use of arms that cause severe, wide-spread and long-term damage to the natural environment is also prohibited.