19 August 2008

Campaigners condemn Russia's use of cluster bombs

In August 2008 Russia dropped cluster bombs in Georgia killing 11 civilians and injuring many more, Human Rights Watch confirmed. This attack took place just over 2 months after more than 107 countries agreed to ban cluster bombs because of the harm they cause to civilians. Campaigners across the world took action to condemn Russia's use of cluster bombs in Georgia.London, UK: Monday, 18 August, 10.30 - 12.30 at the Russian Embassy (6 -7 Kensignton Palace Gardens)On Monday 18 August Landmine Action and CMC held a protest action outside the Russian Embassy in London. The Embassy declined campaigners' request to hand over a letter to the Ambassador and instead notified the police who asked campaigners to leave, which they did, electing to the post the letter to the Ambassador and follow up with the Embassy by phone later in the week. While certainly not a huge event we hope this action will result in the Embassy sending back a report to Moscow noting that a protest action took place outside the Embassy related to the use of cluster munitions in Georgia.Landmine Action has also written to the Foreign Secretary urging him to issue a statement expressing grave concern about the use of cluster munitions by Russia.Oslo, Norway: Monday, 18 August, 11.00 - 13.00 at the Russian Embassy (Drammensveien 74)Wellington, New Zealand: Monday, 18 August, 12.00 at the Russian Embassy (57 Messines Road)Campaigners in New Zealand held a protest outside the Russian embassy in Wellington to condemn Russia's use of cluster munitions in Georgia and to call on the New Zealand government to protest this use of cluster munitions, a banned weapon, in the strongest possible terms. Campaigners also delivered a letter to the Russian embassy calling on Russia to stop using cluster bombs and to start assisting in clean-up of cluster duds that continue to threaten civilians. The Hague, Netherlands: Tuesday, 19 August 2008, Russian EmbassyOn Tuesday 19 August the Dutch CMC (St. Vluchteling, Unicef, Oxfam Novib and IKV Pax Christi) organised a protest outside the Russian Embassy in The Hague. A press release was issued and a petition handed over at the embassy. Since a Dutch cameraman was killed in Gori, a huge protest was not organised. Around 8 newspapers covered the action, one radio interview was given and many websites mentioned it. Contrary to the experience of Landmine Action and CMC campaigners were invited inside and spoke to a representative of the Ambassador for half an hour. The embassy was well informed (they spoke about CMC, why they had sent monitors to Lima but not to the other conferences, they knew about Prot V, mentioned Prot VI, gave copies of statements of the Russian Fed stating that they did not use cluster munitions). Campaigners said that the HRW evidence is conclusive and that strike data needs to be given urgently. The representative promised to send the letter to Moscow. He said he was aware of the fact that we were organizing actions all over the world. CMC Netherlands has also written to the Foreign Secretary urging him to issue a statement expressing grave concern about the use of cluster munitions by Russia and to speak to the Ambassador. MP’s have also asked him to do so.Dublin, Ireland: Wednesday, 20 August, 12.00-13.00 at the Russian Embassy (184-186 Orwell Road)The Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) Ireland and Action from Ireland (Afri) organised a protest outside the Russian Embassy in Dublin on Wednesday, 20 August 2008, to condemn Russia's use of cluster munitions in Georgia. Campaigners also called on the Irish government to condemn Russia's use of cluster munitions and to continue to show leadership on the issue and promote the CCM. The protest was held at lunchtime and campaigners got a lot of attention from people driving in and out of the embassy, as well as the general public passing by. The CMC Ireland and Afri issued a joint press release and the protest was covered by the Irish Times. DOCUMENTSCMC Report: "CMC Actions on Russia against use of Cluster Bombs in Georgia"CMC Action AlertCMC Press Release