05 November 2010
CMC Newsletter October 2010
Cluster Munition Coalition Newsletter - October 20101. INTERNATIONAL NEWSConvention on Cluster Munitions promoted at UN disarmament discussionsA representative of the government of Swaziland speaks at the special event. Photo credit: Laura CheesemanA special event on the Convention on Cluster Munitions took place on 19?October 2010 in New York during the UN First Committee on Disarmament?and International Security. The event was co-hosted by Lao PDR and Japan?and chaired by Mr Jarmo Sareva from UN ODA. A special opening message was given by Ms. Asha Rose Migiro, UN Deputy Secretary-General. Remarks were given by Mr. Akio Suda, Permanent Representative of Japan to CD;?Ms. Kanika Phommachanh, Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to UN;?Mr. Walter Fuellemann, Head of Delegation, ICRC; Mr. Thomas Nash,?Coordinator, Cluster Munition Coalition. Cape Verde deposited its instrument of ratification at the event, making it the 43rd country to ratify the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Other states took the opportunity to give updates on their intention to ratify, accede to and implement the CCM. Many states also confirmed?their participation at the First Meeting of States Parties which will?take place in Lao PDR from 9-12 November, 2010.The Convention on Cluster Munitions featured prominently in government’s statements to the UN First Committee on disarmament and international?security. See Reaching Critical Will's First Committee Monitor at: ?http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/political/1com/FCM.htmlThe UN Deputy Secretary General said that entry into force 'demonstrated?the world's collective revulsion on the impact of cluster munitions' and?urged all states to ratify and accede to the Convention without delay.?Lao PDR recalled the horrendous scale of the problem of cluster?munitions in Lao PDR, gave an update on its preparations for the 1MSP and?invited all states to participate. Japan, in its role as Friend of the President on universalisation called on states to ' undertake concrete actions to bring countries onboard'. The ICRC reminded states that they?are now legally bound on their commitments, and required to begin stockpile destruction, clearance and victim assistance as well as?international assistance and cooperation. The CMC called on all states to 'get on board' the Convention and to 'deliver results' to alleviate?suffering of individuals and communities already affected.A number of campaigners gathered in New York to lobby governments who were attending UN First Committee.Disinvestment campaigners track success at Amsterdam workshopTwenty campaigners active on disinvestment from around the world met in Amsterdam on 4-5 October to gain technical knowledge, share campaign successes and challenges, and carry out strategic planning for 2011. The Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) and CMC members IKV Pax Christi and Netwerk Vlaanderen hosted the workshop nearly a year after launching the "Stop Explosive Investments" campaign to end investments in companies that produce cluster munitions.Roos Boer from IKV Pax Christi facilitating a workshop session. Photo credit: IKV Pax ChristiCampaigners from eight countries shared the major successes and challenges faced by their national disinvestment campaigns, and short updates were given on progress in additional countries not represented at the workshop. Representatives from the international network Banktrack also shared information.Jan Willem van Gelder of the economic research consultancy Profundo and Diederik Timmer of Sustainalytics, a global environmental, social and governance (ESG) research and analysis provider to financial institutions, kicked off the workshop with presentations on a variety of technical topics related to campaigning on disinvestment.Campaigners used the workshop to develop national and international campaign plans for 2011. A wide range of topics were covered, including: working on a blacklist; improving communications and information-sharing between campaigns; sharing research, information and resources and planning for future workshops and events, including the launch of the next update of the report, "Worldwide investments in cluster munitions: A shared responsibility" in April 2011.To read the full story and download the report on the meeting visit http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/news/?id=26782. CAMPAIGN AND COUNTRY UPDATESAustralia: The International Campaign to Ban Landmines-Australian Network Inc, commonly called the Australian Network to Ban Landmines has changed its name. At the Annual General Meeting on October 24 changes were made to the constitution, allowing the name to change to the Australian Network to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munitions Inc. (ANBLC). The change is very timely since the group has been working on cluster munitions for a long time.The draft legislation for Australian ratification of the CCM has now been introduced into Parliament. 28 October was a day of intense lobbying for support for the bill to go to a Senate Enquiry Committee, allowing time and opportunity for civil society input into the text of the bill. This goal was achieved and the bill will go to the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee. The task now is to analyse the bill carefully and draft the best submission possible. The ANBLC and all other CMCA members have received offers of help from the CMC legal team, from Mary Wareham and from Bonnie Docherty and are most grateful for this help.Contact: Lorel Thomas, ANBLC: lorelt@optusnet.com.auDRC: On 10/10/10, within the framework of "One day in the earth", the Congolese Campaign to Ban Landmines and the National Association of Survivors held a press conference as part of activities under the 2010 DRC Victim assistance Advocacy Plan. The objectives were to advocate for the ratification of the CRPD and the CCM as well as the adoption of the National legislation implementing the MBT during the current parliamentarian session. Following the meeting, national legislation on the MBT was adopted on 15 October.Contact: Francky Miantuala, Congolese Campaign to Ban Landmines: francky_tos@yahoo.frCambodia: On 31 October survivors and campaigners embarked on a boat trip on the Mekong River with banners and balloons calling for support for the ban on cluster bombs and for attendance at the First Meeting of States Parties in Vientiane. Since 31 October was King Sihanouk’s birthday, there were fireworks on the river and many people saw the banners on the boats. In the month of October many visitors from around Asia learnt about the MBT and the CCM at the reflection centre in Siem Reap.Contact: Denise Coghlan, JRS: denisecoghlan@yahoo.com.auCanada: Mines Action Canada launched their new website at the end of October www.minesactioncanada.org. Located on this page is the newly produced "Don’t Move!" kinetic film which also can be viewed on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSH9ZGugPQ8.Contact: Jordan Nott, Mines Action Canada: jordan@minesactioncanada.orgEthiopia: Bekele Gonfa made a presentation at the victim assistance workshop in Nairobi that took place on 13-14 October. His presentations were on the status of signature and ratification by the nine VA countries in east and central Africa. He also spoke about Ethiopia’s situation regarding a national plan of action, inter-ministerial coordination, accessibility, data collection and economic reintegration of victims. Ban advocates from Ethiopia gave testimonies at the workshop.Contact: Bekele Gonfa, CMC campaigner: bekele818@gmail.comIndonesia: Lars Stenger (JRS) and Lee Moroney (NPA) attended a meeting with the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 16 September to discuss next steps towards Indonesia’s ratification of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Lars also gave a presentation to 100 students from different disciplines at the University GadjahMada in Yogyakarta on 14 October. Lars spoke about the MBT and the CCM as recent examples of developments in International Humanitarian Law. The students were very interested in the subject matter and asked many questions.Contact: Lars Stenger, Jesuit Refugee Service: larsstenger@jrs.or.idGovernment meetings in Jakarta. Photo credit: Lars StengerIraq: Representatives from Iraqi Alliance for Disability (IADO) met with the President of Iraq, Mr. Jalal Talabani on 4 October. The campaigners urged the President to ratify the Convention on Cluster Munitions, ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and to establish a national disability committee. The President promised to support these requests according to the Iraqi constitution and also became an honorary member of IADO. Mrs. Safia Alsuhail, an Iraqi member of parliament also participated in the event.Contact: Moaffak Alkhafaji, IADO: maffak62@yahoo.comRepresentatives from Iraqi Alliance for Disability (IADO) meet with the President of Iraq. Photo credit: Moaffak AlkhafajiIndia: As a part of a youth exchange programme, three German youth are visiting India for one month and will work with the Indian Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munitions. The youth have visited schools to address Indian youth on the importance of campaigning on landmines and cluster munitions as well as the role of Germany in both of these campaigns.Contact: Balkrishna Kurvey, Indian Campaign to Ban Landmines & Cluster Munitions: iipdep_ngp@sancharnet.inKenya: Central and East Africa are regions that are heavily affected by landmines and other explosive remnants of war and, as a result, have many victims. Most countries in the region have yet to develop National Action Plans on Victim Assistance (VA). Given the increased focus on SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound) action planning following the adoption of the Cartagena Action Plan, Handicap International organized two regional victim assistance workshops in Nairobi on October 13th and 14th, one for civil society and government representatives from Burundi, Chad, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somaliland, Sudan, and Uganda, as well as one for participants from these countries and donors.Three of these countries, namely Uganda, Chad and Sudan, have already developed SMART national action plans on victim assistance/disability; the experience of which was shared with those participants from countries that have yet to develop such plans. Participants developed an in-depth understanding of the VA obligations as per the MBT, the CCM and the CRPD; became familiar with the specific service delivery domains of VA; developed objectives and activities for VA within their national contexts, and presented these to donors.Feedback to the workshop was very positive, and included comments such as: "First of all I would like to congratulate you and the team for the excellent workshop that you have conducted. Well done and keep it up. Please come again to Africa. Such workshop gives us an opportunity to know our status as compared to others and moreover enables us share experiences with others."Contact; Elke Hottentot, Handicap International Switzerland, ehottentot@handicap-international.chLao PDR: On 16 October, Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE) held its annual Stand up for COPE Concert. COPE provides prosthetic and other mobility devices to the people of Lao PDR, many of which have been injured as a result of UXO’s remaining after the Vietnam War. Hundreds of people attended the event to raise money for COPE and to celebrate the recent banning of cluster munitions through the convention. Local and expat bands rocked the rehab, whilst concert goers danced and cheered. Thank you to all those people who made the night a huge success.Contact: Brendon Radford, COPE: copevisitorcentre@gmail.comCOPE concert. Photo credit: Brendon RadfordMauritania: Boubine Touré from the Senegal Campaign to Ban Landmines joined the Nouakchott Seminar on Mine Action in Francophone Africa, 27-30 September that brought together governments from fourteen Francophone African states as well as other governments, mine action operators and international organizations, to review successes and challenges in addressing landmine, cluster munition and explosive remnants of war contamination in Francophone Africa. Lobbying meetings were held and information was gathered to inform future advocacy efforts. The seminar was held by the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining, with support from the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, the French and Swiss governments, and the Mauritanian PNDHD.Contact: Boubine Touré, Senegal Campaign to Ban Landmines: boubine@refer.snPhilippines: PCCM campaigners meet with Department of National Defense Assistant Secretary regarding the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Asec. Fernando Ilagan Manalo has been invited to attend the First Meeting of State Parties in Vientiane, although the final list of official delegation is still being finalized. PCCM campaigners Nikki Delfin, Jayme Uy, Bev Orozco and Mirma Tica briefed the DND on the cluster munitions issue, the salient features of the CCM, and the Philippine position regarding the comprehensive ban. The briefing is important since the new administration of Pres. Aquino, along with the newly appointed heads of the executive branch of government need to be informed on the CCM. Copies of the CMC policy papers, and copies of the CCM were also distributed during the meeting. PCCM is continuing its intensive effort at briefing the different government agencies regarding the cluster munition issue, and the Philippine commitment to the comprehensive ban.Contact: Nikki Delfin, PCCM: nikki.delfin@gmail.comCampaigners meet with the Department of National Defense Assistant Secretary. Photo Credit: Nikki DelfinThailand: On 13 October a ceremony to make merit for victims of landmines and cluster bombs was held in Phan Suk sub-district, Aranyaprethet district, Sakaeo Province. The ceremony was organized in Non Sao Eh Temple and included people from different sub-districts including landmine survivors and their families, village headmen, sub-district officers, TMAC staff, journalists and other local government representatives. Sermsiri Ingavanija from Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) worked closely with Ms. Wiboonrat Chanchoo, the leader of persons with disabilities in Phan Suk sub-district, who helped organise the ceremony. A women’s group helped to prepare the food and JRS supported the costs of the food, some goods, and a donation to 18 monks who live in the temple. Seven monks attended the ceremony. Sermsiri also met with survivors and the local government before the ceremony begun.Contact: Sermsiri Ingavanija, JRS, sermsiri@jrs.or.thAt the ceremony in Sakaeo Province. Photo Credit: Sermsiri IngavanijaVietnam: The Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi together with Norwegian People’s Aid launched a photo exhibition on the Convention on Cluster Munitions at the Hanoi Cinematheque on 8 October. The event was well attended, with many Ambassadors attending including from some countries that have not yet signed the CCM. The exhibition, which displayed John Rodsted’s photos and short films, told the story of the legacy of cluster munitions in Vietnam. The Norwegian Ambassador Ståle Risa gave an opening speech at the launch, followed by remarks from the photographer John Rodsted and then from Jonathan Guthrie, Country Director of Norwegian People’s Aid. Mr. Pham Quy Thi, who was badly injured by a cluster bomb also was present at the event. Mr. Pham Quy Thi, who now advocates on the issue of cluster munitions, was featured in one of the short films shown at the exhibition.Contact: John Rodsted, Ban Bus: rodsted@gmail.comThe exhibit in Hanoi. Photo Credit: Linn Helene Husby LøkenGlobal: History in the making—first edition of Cluster Munition Monitor releasedThe Monitor released its first ever Cluster Munition Monitor report globally on 1 November during a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand. "Landmine Monitor is in its 12th edition," said Jacqueline Hansen, the Monitor’s Program Manager, "today we made history by releasing the first edition of Cluster Munition Monitor. We hope this new report will be just as valuable to the international community now and in years to come as Landmine Monitor has and continues to be."Cluster Munition Monitor 2010, the sister publication to Landmine Monitor, builds upon the 2009 report Banning Cluster Munitions: Government Policy and Practice, which was researched and written by Human Rights Watch and Landmine Action (now known as Action On Armed Violence), and published by the Monitor. Cluster Munition Monitor covers cluster munition ban policy, use, production, trade, and stockpiling for every country in the world, and also includes information on cluster munition contamination, casualties, clearance, and victim assistance. The report focuses on the period since Banning Cluster Munitions was published in May 2009, with information included up to August 2010 when possible.Hard copies of the 300-page report may be ordered online. The full report is also available electronically on the Monitor website and downloadable in PDF and ebook formats.The report can be viewed at: www.the-monitor.org/cmm/2010To order the report, go to: www.the-monitor.org/index.php/LM/Order-PublicationsLearn more about how you can publicize Cluster Munition Monitor 2010 in your region by visiting: www.the-monitor.org/index.php/LM/Resources-for-Monitor-Researchers/Report-release-activitiesFor more information contact monitor@icbl.org.3. DISINVESTMENTItaly: A bill named "Measures to contract the financing of corporations that manufacture landmines and cluster bombs" has been undersigned by several senators and is currently at the Financial Senate Commission waiting for the nomination and scheduling. The Campagna Italiana contro le mine, in cooperation with Fondazione Banca Etica, have been heavily promoting the bill. Another bill was prepared at the Chamber of Deputies which is about a national ban on cluster munitions and includes information on disinvestment in one of the articles. The recent bill that was presented at the senate inspired this article.Contact: Tibisay Ambrosini, Italian Campaign to Ban Landmines: t.ambrosini@campagnamine.org****4. TAKE ACTIONUrge your government to or ratify or accede to the Convention on Cluster MunitionsThe Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) is calling on signatories to ratify the Convention and on non-signatories to accede to the Convention. Since the Convention has now entered into force, non-signatories must accede rather than sign and ratify in separate steps.Contact: Laura Cheeseman, CMC staff: laura@stopclustermunitions.org****5. MEDIAMedia updatePreparation for the 1MSP in Lao PDR was at the top of the CMC media agenda again in October. For a summary of plans – including a press conference to launch the first Cluster Munition Monitor as well as a media trip to southern Laos – please visit: http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/news/?id=2599#section4. The CMC also issued press releases on Tunisia’s ratification and a UN special event held on 19 October, as well as web stories on Geneva lobbying work and a disinvestment workshop in Amsterdam.Following on from several good preview stories on the 1MSP in September, there were some additional Laos-focused cluster munition stories this month, including an op-ed from the US Embassy in Vientiane responding to requests to provide more aid for UXO clearance in Lao PDR. CMC press releases on Tunisia’s ratification and a UN special event on the CCM were picked up by newswires. And several national stories got some press, such as a John Rodsted photo exhibit on cluster bombs held in Hanoi, an announcement by the Japanese military on plans for stockpile destruction, and the continuing clearance work in Laos and Lebanon.Contact: Conor Fortune, CMC staff: conor@stopclustermunitions.orgMedia highlights of the monthHeraldsun.com.au, 27 October 2010Government launches arms crackdownhttp://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/government-launches-arms-crackdown/story-e6frf7kf-1225944149553Daily Star (Lebanon), 22 October 2010Cluster bombs set off by high temperatureshttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=120661#axzz136K2lbJMBusiness Day (South Africa), 20 October 2010South Africa: Move to ban cluster bombs gains momentumhttp://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=124338Scoop.NZ (New Zealand), 20 October 2010Upcoming meeting on cluster munitionshttp://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1010/S00292/upcoming-meeting-on-cluster-munitions.htmReliefWeb, 19 October 2010Campaign urges governments to get on board cluster bomb banhttp://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/JALR-8ADJAY?OpenDocumentOttawa Citizen (Canada), 15 October 2010Canada no longer leads on human rightshttp://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/2010wintergames/Canada+longer+leads+human+rights/3674742/story.htmlKCAW (USA), 15 October 2010Gorman working to remove cluster-bomb hazardhttp://kcaw.org/modules/local_news/index.php?op=centerBlock&ID=974Daily Star (Lebanon), 13 October 2010Lebanon’s mine-clearing mission halfway completehttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=120303#axzz12F8H0Y61Kyodo News (Japan), 12 October 2010Japan owns 14,011 cluster bombshttp://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2010/10/48214.htmlJapan Today, 12 October 2010SDF has 14,011 cluster bombshttp://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/sdf-has-14011-cluster-bombsSwissinfo.ch (Switzerland), 10 October 2010Aid helps Laos move away from bombing legacyhttp://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Aid_helps_Laos_move_away_from_bombing_legacy.html?cid=28505484Ria Novosti (Russia), 7 October 2010European Commissioner calls for more human rights in Russia-Georgia postwar areashttp://en.rian.ru/world/20101007/160872923.htmlVietnam+, 6 October 2010Photo exhibitions on cluster munitions to openhttp://en.vietnamplus.vn/Home/Photo-exhibition-on-cluster-munitions-to-open/201010/12738.vnplusYemen Observer, 6 October 2010Gen. Yahya Saleh: Yemen is open to US airstrikes against al-Qaedahttp://www.yobserver.com/front-page/10019819.htmlZawya (Dubai), 1 October 2010Tunisia ratifies international treaty banning cluster bombshttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20101002064754/Tunisia%20ratifies%20international%20treaty%20banning%20cluster%20bombs/Guardian, 30 September 2010Clearing the cluster bombs in Laoshttp://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/sep/30/laos-us-militaryBBC World"One Square Mile" documentary series highlights cluster bomb problem in Laoshttp://en.handicapinternational.be/BBC-WORLD-documentary-on-cluster-munitions-affecting-the-lives-of-communities-in-Laos-PDR_a726.html****6. UPCOMING EVENTSNovember 20101 Cluster Munition Monitor launch, Bangkok, Thailand9-12 First Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, Vientiane, Lao PDR25-26 CCW Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, Switzerland29 Nov –3 Dec Tenth Meeting of the States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty, Geneva, SwitzerlandDecember 20103 Second anniversary of the Convention on Cluster Munitions Signing Conference3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities
