Canada becomes one of the first countries to join the cluster bomb ban by signing the Convention on Cluster Munitions in 2008. This new law, if adopted, will undermine their pledge to stop the harm this weapon causes.
London, 10 May 2012): A Canadian bill under Senate review would allow Canadian forces to assist others with the use of cluster munitions banned by international law. In certain circumstances, Canadian forces could even use the weapons themselves. The Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) today harshly criticized the proposed legislation and urged Canada to re-draft it.
“Canada cannot claim to have banned cluster bombs when it proposes to allow its military to help others use the weapons, and even leaves open the possibility of Canadian forces using them,” said Laura Cheeseman, Director of the CMC.
“These weapons are outlawed because of their indiscriminate effects and devastating consequences for civilians. Canada appears to be buckling under the pressure of the United States, which has not yet joined the ban treaty, at the cost of people’s lives,” Cheeseman added.





