(London, 12 March 2010) – Switzerland is poised to join a number of countries that have outlawed investments in cluster munitions, after the Swiss National Council passed two motions on 10 March 2010 to prohibit financial support for the production of all banned weapons. The Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) welcomed the step and called on more countries to follow suit, to eradicate the double standard of banning cluster munitions while allowing financial institutions to benefit from their production elsewhere.
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(London, 11 March 2010) – Five children were killed and one injured when a cluster submunition exploded in a village in Lao PDR’s Champasak province on 22 February 2010. The incident highlights the need for urgent action to assist survivors and ensure the clearance of cluster munition remnants when states parties to the treaty banning cluster bombs gather for their first official meeting in the Lao capital, Vientiane, this November, the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) said today.
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For the full list of signatures and ratifications, check out the Treaty Status page on the CMC website: http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/treatystatus/

CMC Newsletter February 2010

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1.    INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Cluster bomb ban treaty reaches 30th ratification milestone

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The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing a project plan for the CMC’s work in Vientiane in the run up to and during the First Meeting of States Parties (1MSP) and will be responsible for high level relations with government agencies, international organisations and NGOs in Lao PDR.  This role will also require overseeing the organisation of events and activities as well as logistics for the CMC delegation in the run up to and during the 1MSP. The position is responsible for line management of the CMC Senior Liaison Officer (Lao PDR) and reports to the CMC Coordinator.

We are seeking to fill this consultancy position in the immediate future. For a full description of the post and instructions on how to apply, please see the attached terms of reference.

ToR CMC Project Manager (Lao PDR)

(London, 16 February 2010) – Burkina Faso and Moldova ratified the international Convention banning cluster munitions today, bringing the total number of ratifications to 30 and triggering entry into force on 1 August 2010, when the Convention will become binding international law.
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Representatives of the Moldovan delegation at the Oslo signing conference where they signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions on 3 December 2008.  Photo Credit:  Jan Lillehamre

(London, 16 February 2010) – The Republic of Moldova ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions today, joining the visionary group of 30 nations that have ratified to date, helping to trigger entry into force of the most significant disarmament and humanitarian treaty in over a decade, the Cluster Munition Coalition said. Burkina Faso also ratified today, reaching the milestone of 30 ratifications needed for the treaty to become binding international law and enter into force on 1 August 2010. (more…)

Burkina Faso signs the Convention on Cluster Munitions at the Oslo Signing Conference on  3 December 2008.  Photo Credit:  Gunnar Mjaugedal/catchlight.no

(London, 16 February 2010) – Burkina Faso ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions today, joining the visionary group of 30 nations that have ratified to date, helping to collectively trigger entry into force of the most significant disarmament and humanitarian treaty in over a decade, the Cluster Munition Coalition said. Moldova also ratified today, reaching the milestone of 30 ratifications needed for the treaty to become binding international law and enter into force on 1 August 2010.
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H. E. Mr. Carsten Ulrich Staur Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of Denmark, deposits his government’s ratification instrument.  Photo Credit: UN Treaty Section

(London, 12 February 2010) – Denmark ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions on 12 February, taking its place among the visionary group of nations that will soon trigger entry into force of the most significant disarmament and humanitarian treaty in over a decade, the Cluster Munition Coalition said today.
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The successful candidate will be working primarily on relations with the government, international organisations and NGOs in Lao PDR.  This role will also require organising events and activities in the run up to the First Meeting of States Parties and coordinating logistics for the CMC delegation at the meeting.

We are seeking to fill this consultancy position in the immediate future. For a full description of the post and instructions on how to apply, please see the attached terms of reference.

ToR CMC Senior Liaison Officer (Lao PDR)

For the full list of signatures and ratifications, check out the Treaty Status page on the CMC website: http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/treatystatus/

CMC Newsletter January 2010

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1.    INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Montenegro is 27th country to ratify cluster bomb ban

Montenegro’s ratification of the Convention on Cluster Munitions on 25 January places it among the first 30 states that will trigger the Convention’s entry into force. Currently, 104 countries have signed and Montenegro is the 27th to ratify.

The 2008 Convention comprehensively bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions, sets strict deadlines for clearance of contaminated land and destruction of stockpiles of the weapon, and includes groundbreaking provisions for assistance to victims and affected communities. (more…)