Treaty needs just 4 more ratifications for entry into force
(London, 22 December 2009) – Belgium’s ratification of the Convention on Cluster Munitions on 22 December shows its continued commitment to the most significant humanitarian and disarmament treaty of the decade, the Cluster Munition Coalition said today. As the 26th country to ratify, Belgium takes its place among the first 30 states that will trigger the Convention’s entry into force.
Ambassador Jim McLay, New Zealand’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, deposits his government’s ratification instrument. Photo Credit: UN Treaty Section
National legislation prohibits investment in cluster munition producers
(London, 22 December 2009) – New Zealand’s ratification of the international treaty banning cluster munitions and its strong domestic implementing law affirm its leadership role in the international movement to ban the weapon, the Cluster Munition Coalition said today.
H. E. Mr. Michel Tommo Monthe Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of Cameroon signs the Convention on Cluster Munitions
Cameroon became the 104th country to sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions on 15 December 2009. H. E. Mr. Michel Tommo Monthe Ambassador of Cameroon to the United Nations signed on its behalf.
1. INTERNATIONAL NEWS
CCM Closing in on the 30th ratification
Two new signatures and another ratification in the month of November have provided further strength to the Convention on Cluster Munitions as it nears entry into force. Nicaragua deposited its ratification instrument on the 2 November, making it the 24th country to ratify the Convention on Cluster Munitions, leaving only 6 ratifications needed to trigger entry into force.
The Dominican Republic and Iraq were the two latest countries to sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Ambassador H.E. Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo, Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations signed the Convention on 10 November and H.E. Mr Hamid Talib Al Bayati from Iraq signed on 12 November. CMC meetings with the Dominican Republic were integral in pushing the signature forward. Momentum is growing in the Caribbean region now that the Dominican Republic has joined signatories Jamaica, Haiti and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It is hoped that the remaining countries in the region will follow soon.
Support three key treaties on International Day of Persons with Disabilities
(Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, 2 December 2009) – High-level representatives from 130 countries attending the Cartagena Summit on a Mine-Free World should redouble efforts to rid the world of antipersonnel landmines and cluster bombs, as well as pledge their support to assisting victims and upholding disability rights, a global group of disarmament, humanitarian and human rights organisations said today, marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December.