Cluster Munition Coalition

Mauritania ratifies cluster bomb ban

2012-02-02

H. E. Mr. Abderrahim Ould Hadrami Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of Mauritania signs the Convention on Cluster Muntions: April 2010. Photo Credit: United Nations.

Mauritania became the latest country to join the team to rid the world of cluster munitions when the government ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions on 1 February 2012.

This brings the number of countries to have fully banned the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of cluster bombs to 68. Mauritania joins an ever-growing global community partnering with the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) and others to eliminate these weapons once and for all.

Dominican Republic ratifies cluster bomb ban

2011-12-23

Unexploded cluster bombs in an olive grove. Picture credit: Simon Conway

The Dominican Republic has become the 67th State Party to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of the indiscriminate weapon.

Officials in New York deposited the Caribbean nation’s instrument of ratification on 20 December 2011.

“We are delighted to welcome the Dominican Republic to the growing list of countries banning cluster bombs, recognising the devastation they cause to civilians,” said Amy Little, Campaign Manager of the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC).

US led attempt to allow cluster bomb use is rejected at UN negotiations

2011-11-26

Branislav Kapetanovic, CMC spokesperson at the negotiations in Geneva. Photo credit: Gemima Harvey

Campaigners call on remaining states to join international ban on these weapons

(Geneva, November 25, 2011) – An attempt by the United States and other remaining producers and stockpilers of cluster munitions to push through a weak new law which would have allowed these indiscriminate weapons to be used, has failed. Over fifty states at the United Nations negotiations rejected outright the cynical attempt to give legal cover to use these weapons in the future. This ends four years of negotiations on this issue.

“This was not a diplomatic game. It was about saving a great number of lives – the outright rejection of weaker standards shows that small and medium size states in partnership with the UN, ICRC and civil society can set the agenda in international politics” said Grethe Ostern, Policy Adviser, Mine Action Department, Norwegian Peoples Aid, Cluster Munition Coalition member.

The world is watching CCW talks

2011-11-21

CMC spokesperson Branislav Kapetanovic and Ambassador Danon in Geneva.

As negotiations on a new law that would expressly allow some countries to continue to use cluster munitions enter the crucial final week, the voice of concerned governments, campaigners, and more than half a million global citizens continues to be ignored.

The draft law, a proposed protocol to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), is being pushed as an alternative to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, which comprehensively bans all use, production, trade, and stockpiling of all cluster munitions. The United States is the main proponent of the draft law, and has support from others that have not yet joined the ban convention, such as China, India, Israel, and Russia.

On Monday cluster bomb survivor and CMC spokesperson Branislav Kapetanovic handed a petition of over 587,000 signatures to chair of the negotiations Ambassador Danon, showing that the world is watching as these talks continue. The petition, launched by Avaaz and the Cluster Munition Coalition, has been signed by citizens in almost every country. It calls on governments to align any new agreement with the existing ban under the Convention on Cluster Munitions, ensuring this indiscriminate weapon continues to be comprehensively banned, and innocent lives protected.

For more information visit the CMC’s CCW webpage

European Parliament urges members not to endorse new law allowing use of cluster munitions

2011-11-17

(Geneva, 17 November 2011) The European Parliament has sent a strong message to member states not to support a proposed new law currently being discussed in Geneva that will allow cluster munitions to be used.

In a widely popular resolution adopted today, the Parliament has called on members “not to adopt, endorse or subsequently ratify any protocol to the CCW allowing for the use of cluster munitions, which are prohibited under the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM),” and asks them “to act accordingly” at the Fourth CCW (Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons) Review Conference, currently being held at the United Nations in Geneva.

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