04 October 2008

The Ban Bus in Serbia, 1 - 3 October 2008

The Ban Bus was successfully launched with a public event in the Republican Square in Belgrade on 1 October. The event was opened by regional director of Norwegian People's Aid Emil Jeremic. Australian photographer John Rodsted showed pictures from countries around the world where cluster munitions have been used, presenting the deadly legacy of cluster munitions in affected countries and highlighting with concrete examples how cluster munitions maim and kill civilians during and after conflict.The Ban Advocates from Serbia were represented by Branislav Kapetanovic and Sladjan Vuckovic, both former deminers who lost limbs while clearing unexploded cluster munitions in Serbia. Their testimonies together with John Rodsted's pictures gave a clear case for why cluster munitions must be banned. NPA Secretary General Petter Eide pointed out that cluster munitions were used in Georgia in August 2008 by both Georgian and Russian forces, and expressed hope that more than 100 states would sign the Convention.Emil Jeremic, NPA Serbia, emil@npa.org.yu