Cluster Munition Coalition

USA, backed by Denmark, works to legalise cluster bombs after ban agreed

2008-09-05

Press Release by the Cluster Munition Coalition

(Geneva, September 5, 2008) - After 107 countries earlier this year adopted a break-through ban on cluster bombs, the USA is now working to have a parallel legal instrument adopted which would effectively legalise continued use of cluster bombs.

The United States refused to join the Oslo Process that led to the conclusion of the ban on cluster bombs in Dublin in May and which will be signed in Oslo 3 December, but is now pushing within the framework of the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) in Geneva for countries to agree on a second international legal instrument.

Filed Under: CCW, Press Release

UN peacekeeper killed by blast in south Lebanon

2008-09-04

(Beirut, September 3, 2008) - A United Nations peacekeeper in south Lebanon was killed by an explosion Wednesday while clearing unexploded ordnance, a U.N. official said.Yasmina Bouziane, a spokeswoman for the U.N. peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL, said the blast took place while the peacekeepers were clearing unexploded ordnance near the village of Aitaroun, close to the border with Israel.

The peacekeeper was not identified, pending notification of relatives.

Bouziane said in a statement that medical and explosion teams were immediately dispatched to the site of the blast and that an investigation was under way.

Filed Under: Lebanon, News

Press Release: CMC CONDEMNS GEORGIAN USE OF CLUSTER BOMBS

2008-09-02

After admitting use, Georgia must sign global treaty banning weapon

(Geneva, September 2, 2008) – A network of 250 non-governmental organisations across 70 countries has condemned Georgia’s use of cluster munitions, just three months after 107 nations agreed to ban the weapon. In a letter to Human Rights Watch, the Georgian Defense Ministry stated that cluster bombs were “used against Russian military equipment and armament marching from Roki tunnel to Dzara road [sic],” but that they “were never used against civilians, civilian targets and civilian populated or nearby areas.” The majority of the world’s nations that have banned the weapon have declared any use of any cluster munition in any location unacceptable, because of the harm they cause to civilians during and after conflict.

“Cluster bombs are indiscriminate killers not only during attacks but leave a deadly legacy long after conflict,” said Thomas Nash, coordinator of the Cluster Munition Coalition. “We are disturbed to learn that both Georgia and Russia have used cluster munitions. This highlights again the urgency of the international ban, to be signed in Oslo this December by the majority of the world’s nations.”

Filed Under: Georgia, Press Release, Russia

Georgia: Join Treaty Banning Cluster Munitions

2008-09-02

Government Acknowledges Using Weapon Against Russian Forces

(New York, September 1, 2008) – The Georgian government said it used cluster munitions during the August 2008 armed conflict with Russia, Human Rights Watch said today. In a letter to Human Rights Watch, the Georgian Defense Ministry stated that cluster rockets were “used against Russian military equipment and armament marching from Roki tunnel to Dzara road [sic],” but that they “were never used against civilians, civilian targets and civilian populated or nearby areas.” Human Rights Watch has not independently confirmed this information, but has reported Russia’s use of cluster munitions during the fighting.

“Using any type of cluster munitions in any location is unacceptable because of the harm they can cause to civilians during and after conflict,” said Marc Garlasco, senior military analyst at Human Rights Watch. “That’s why 107 nations recently adopted a new international treaty banning the weapon. Georgia and Russia should also sign on to the ban.”

Filed Under: Georgia, News

Georgia admits dropping cluster bombs

2008-09-01

(September 01, 2008) - Georgia has admitted dropping cluster bombs during its attempt to regain control of its breakaway province of South Ossetia.

Human Rights Watch said it had received a letter from the Georgian defence ministry acknowledging the use of M85 cluster bombs near the Roki tunnel that connects South Ossetia with Russia.

Filed Under: Georgia, News

Cluster Munitions Coalition

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