Latest News on the Ban Cluster Bombs campaign

22 February 2008: Wellington Conference to Ban Cluster Munitions
“Affected and Developing Countries lead the way to a Ban”

In the final day of the conference attended by 122 States and civil society campaigners from 38 countries there was overwhelming support for the Wellington declaration and for an un-weakened treaty text to be negotiated in Dublin in May. The atmosphere in the Wellington Town Hall was electric as government delegations began to make final statements which would determine whether the proposed treaty would be weakened. It soon became clear that the States affected by cluster munitions and developing countries were making their strong presence felt – the hall rang to cheers and applause as one after another unreservedly endorsed the declaration.

The primarily western countries who had argued for exceptions for some cluster bomb types and long transition periods during which banned weapons could still be used, followed the poorer countries of the world in their endorsements – a reversal of the norm in diplomatic conferences. However, two governments, Canada and Germany, criticised the role played by NGOs while others, like France and UK made it clear they will negotiate strongly to weaken the treaty in Dublin.

But it was clear that the majority of States are committed to a total ban and understand the urgent humanitarian imperatives which underpin the proposed treaty.

Marion Libertucci, Chief Advocacy Officer at Handicap International, said: “Just like it happened during the anti-personnel landmine process, we are seeing that when southern countries, which are the most common victims of these weapons, are united they have the power to successfully challenge the domination of producer States who normally make the rules and protect the arms industry.”

The text will now go forward to be negotiated in Dublin from 18 to 30 May resulting in a binding prohibition on cluster munitions which will be signed before the end of this year.

Rae McGrath, International Spokesperson for Handicap International Network commented: “It is good to see that countries like the UK, France and Germany endorsed the declaration although they still have some strong differences with the majority of non-user and affected States. It is now time for the members of the Cluster Munition Coalition to ensure that politicians and the general public in those countries are made aware of the dangers of a weakened treaty and ensure that their delegations are sent to Dublin with clear instructions to support a full ban without exceptions or transition periods”.

18th February 2008: Nine Governments Try to Weaken Cluster Bomb Treaty in Attempt to allow US to Continue Using Munitions 

On the second day of a five-day conference to develop a historic treaty banning cluster munitions worldwide, nine governments are attempting to create a loophole that will allow them to assist the USA to use cluster munitions. The Cluster Munition Coalition strongly condemns the hypocrisy of these countries trying to ban cluster bombs while assisting other countries to use them.

"These weapons kill civilians - this is hypocrisy of the worst kind by countries that claim the moral high ground and yet trade away the lives of victims to serve the interests of the USA" said Rae McGrath, spokesperson for Handicap International.

Over three quarters of countries that stockpile cluster munitions and half the countries that produce the weapon are participating in the Wellington conference. Although the USA is the biggest, producer, stockpiler and user of cluster munitions, it is not part of the Oslo process and is therefore also not present in Wellington.

Nine countries engaged in the talks to ban cluster munitions are concerned that when they sign the new treaty banning cluster munitions it will be difficult for them to participate in joint operations where cluster munitions are used by allies that are party to the treaty. The nine countries concerned about this issue, which is referred to as interoperability are: Australia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Slovakia, Turkey and the UK.

These joint operations are being raised under the topic of "interoperability" by these countries to prohibit cluster munitions that cause unacceptable humanitarian harm. The United States has been lobbying several states on this issue with visits and documents.

Although these nine countries apparently want to ban cluster munitions, they also propose states should not be prevented from assisting other countries like the US, in using cluster munitions.
 

"This goes against the precedent set by other treaties like the Biological Weapons Convention, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Mine Ban Treaty", said Steve Goose, director of the Arms Division of Human Rights Watch. "The experience of the past decade with the ban on antipersonnel mines shows that interoperability can be dealt with without fracturing alliances." He added.

More than 500 representatives from over 100 governments as well as campaigners and survivors of cluster bombs from 38 countries are gathering in New Zealand today for the penultimate meeting of the Oslo Process. This global effort initiated by Norway is set to culminate with the adoption in Dublin in May 2008 of a treaty to ban cluster munitions, assist survivors and ensure clearance of their land. The Oslo Process has drawn the support of two-thirds of the world's nations.

13th February 2008: Bulgaria Announces Moratorium on Cluster Bomb Use

The Bulgarian Council of Ministers today announced a unilateral domestic moratorium on the use of cluster munitions in their possession.

Bulgaria's Ambassador to the United Nations, Petko Draganov, said he is hopeful that other countries will follow in the same path and translate into practice their concern regarding the severe humanitarian impact caused by cluster munitions.

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5-7 December 2007: 100 States Attend Vienna Conference

The momentum behind the upcoming Vienna Conference, held from 5th-7th December, appears to be mounting with over 100 countries registered. The event is the third meeting in the “Oslo Process”, a series of meetings aimed at producing an international ban on cluster bombs. Cluster munitions are canister bombs containing between a dozen and a few hundred small bomblets, and Handicap International estimates that 98% of victims are civilians.* 

Among the larger countries attending the conference are Russia, Germany and the UK, although notable exceptions include the USA and China. The Vienna Conference represents a key moment in the campaign to ban cluster bombs with countries expected to make significant headway on important elements of the draft accord. If the summits prove successful and a ban is achieved, it would signal a considerable turning point in the history of international humanitarian law.

The “Oslo Process” began in February 2007, after Norway spearheaded a campaign to bring states and relevant NGOs together to formulate a legally-binding instrument to prohibit cluster bombs by 2008. Since then there have been two meetings, first in Oslo and then in Lima, both of which have made significant progress in making the ban a reality.

Handicap International has had a long-standing involvement in the struggle to ban cluster munitions. Its two reports, Circle of Impact and Fatal Footprint, have been instrumental in highlighting the devastating impact of cluster bombs on disabled persons.

Handicap International has had a strong presence at both previous conferences and, along with numerous other NGOs and UN bodies, will be in attendance again in Vienna.

Handicap International’s International Spokesperson on Cluster Munitions, Rae Mcgrath, said: “The Vienna Conference is one more step towards eradicating cluster munitions forever. With more than eighty countries committed to the Oslo Process and over one hundred countries taking part in the Vienna meetings we have past the point of no return. It now requires governments like the UK to recognise the real importance of this process and abandon their approach of doggedly clinging to one or two cluster munitions which, if allowed, would weaken the treaty and introduce loopholes which ensure only the continued loss of innocent lives."

"The UK should be leading this process, not trailing behind it – this is a chance to make the world safer for future generations; it’s not about disarmament it’s about humanity and global security. Gordon Brown and his government must have the vision to see that a ban on cluster munitions is in everyone’s interest – especially our children’s.”
    
* “Fatal Footprint: The Global Human Impact of Cluster Munitions”

5 November 2007
Day of Action to Ban Cluster Bombs observed around the world

The 5 November usually passes uneventfully, just another day in the lead up to the holidays and the rapidly approaching new year. This year however, the day takes on a whole new meaning. The 5 November marks the Global Day of Action to Ban Cluster Bombs, a day which seeks to highlight the immense human suffering caused by cluster munitions. Cluster munitions, weapons which release several hundred smaller ‘bomblets’ or submunitions when fired, have a devastating and long-term impact on civilians.

Handicap International, along with local partners, will be holding awareness-raising events in cities around the world, including Baghdad, Geneva, Nairobi, Sarajevo and Washington D.C. With the work of other organisations and campaigners exhibitions, film screenings, marches, press conferences and various other events will take place in a total of 40 countries worldwide.

A joint appeal will be launched by the United Nations, Cluster Munitions Coalition, and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund in support of the ban treaty with an advertising campaign featured in several major newspapers. In the UK these papers include The Guardian, the International Herald Tribune, The Daily Telegraph, The Times, and the Financial Times.

While raising public awareness of these inhumane weapons, the day’s events are also a means of calling on governments to attend the Vienna Conference on Cluster Munitions. Held from the 5 – 7 December, the Vienna Conference is the next step towards a global treaty banning cluster bombs. The public awareness and support raised on the Global Day of Action to Ban Cluster Bombs is crucial to the success of this future ban.

2 November 2007
Soroptimist’s Put Best Foot Forward for Cluster Bomb Ban

Soroptimist International, a worldwide organization for women working to advance human rights and the status of women, has been busy highlighting the urgent need for a ban on cluster bombs. Through petition drives and Pyramid of Shoes events, the public profile of this issue has been steadily raised.

Soroptimist International of Reading, Wokingham & Bracknell, a local branch of the worldwide organisation, organised a Pyramid of Shoes on 26th October. During the event the public was encouraged to add their own unneeded shoes to the pyramid, with each pair representing a life or limb lost to cluster bombs. The Mayor of Reading, Robert Wilson MP of Reading East and Martin Salter MP of Reading West were in attendance. Through the hard work of the organisation’s volunteers over 1000 signatures were added to Handicap International’s Ban Cluster Bombs Petition.

A second event was held on 2 November, during the Soroptimist International of Great Britain & Ireland Federation Conference in Harrogate. A giant pyramid of shoes was erected in the bustling Victoria Shopping centre, drawing shoppers and passers-by of all kinds. Handicap International UK staffed an information table and were on hand to answer questions and engage with the public. The Mayor of Harrogate, Coun Cliff Trotter and Phil Willis MP of Harrogate & Knaresborough, spoke with local media at the event.

These events are part of the worldwide work of Soroptimist International towards banning cluster bombs and addressing other pressing human rights issues.

3-4 October 2007
Belgrade Conference Gives Voice to Countries Affected by Cluster Bombs

Twenty-two states affected by cluster bombs gathered in Belgrade, Serbia on 3-4 October to strengthen their ongoing role in working towards an international ban on cluster bombs. The conference, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, discussed the need for international assistance in clearance and victim assistance, while challenging States to place the views of affected countries at the heart of future negotiations.

Victims of cluster bombs from various countries joined the official delegates in calling for effective victim support. “I want a strong treaty that not only bans cluster munitions but protects victims as well” said Firoz Ali Alizada, Advocacy Officer for Handicap International in Afghanistan and a cluster bomb victim. “We the survivors are not only here to advocate for our own rights, but also to safeguard the lives of countless people who are not yet injured.”

The conference also focused on the risk of cluster bombs proliferation. At least 75 countries currently stockpile billions of sub-munitions. The parties present at Belgrade vocalised their very real concern that the use of these stockpiles would lead to nothing less than a humanitarian disaster.

The states present at the conference included Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, Chad, DR Congo, Croatia, Ethiopia, Guinea Bissau, Iraq, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Montenegro, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tajikistan, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen.

The Belgrade conference is part of a series of meetings in the so-called Oslo Process, which aims to conclude an international treaty banning cluster bombs by 2008. A European regional meeting will take place on 30 October, followed by an Arab League members conference planned for 4-5 November. In December, the Vienna conference will host all countries committed to taking the next step towards an international ban.

19 March 2007
UK Retains Use of Inhumane Weapons With Partial Ban on Cluster Bombs

The UK Government has announced that it will cease the use of “dumb” cluster munitions, effective immediately. The Government however has said that it will retain the option to use “smart” cluster bombs, such as M85 bombs, used in large numbers in Lebanon in 2006.

While Handicap International welcomes the move, it is hoped that this will be just the first step towards a more comprehensive ban on all types of cluster munitions. Handicap International’s position has always been that all cluster munitions, regardless of the method of their use or the technology involved in their production, are unacceptable and inhumane. Technological changes to these weapons, such as self-destruct mechanisms and fuse improvements, fail to address the fundamental fact that cluster bombs indiscriminately harm and kill civilians.

“As the recent conflict in Lebanon has shown, these weapons, regardless of whether they are ‘smart’ or ‘dumb’, kill and maim huge numbers of civilians” Samantha Rennie, Director of Handicap International UK says. The Handicap International report Fatal Footprint, published in November 2006, revealed that civilians constitute 98 % of all recorded cluster submunitions casualties.

The announcement of a ban by Defence Secretary Des Browne, comes just a month after the UK joined 45 other countries in the first round of negotiations of the Oslo Conference on Cluster Munitions (OCCM), a process aimed at producing an international ban on cluster bombs. While the UK supports the OCCM, the ambiguity of its declaration raises questions as to how comprehensive a ban the UK will ultimately agree to.

Writing to Margaret Beckett, the Foreign Secretary, and Hilary Benn, the International Development secretary, Browne says the decision for a ban was made on humanitarian grounds. Handicap International calls on the UK Government and all other states to fulfil this commitment to humanitarian concerns and enact a comprehensive ban on all cluster munitions.

23 February 2007
Handicap International welcomes a first step towards an international ban

Handicap International is delighted that Norway’s initiative was a success. Norway put the Oslo process on the diplomatic map, aiming to achieve a Cluster Munition Ban treaty by 2008. However, Handicap International, co-founder of the Cluster Munition Coalition, deplores the ambiguity of the final declaration, which implies that certain cluster munitions would not be covered by a ban.

With the support of 46 out of the 49 states present, the final declaration closing the intense two-day conference gives way to a new diplomatic process. This latter is independent from the 1980 conference on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), where the issue of the human consequences of cluster munitions had been failing to reach the necessary consensus over the past five years.

While applauding this success, Handicap International still regrets the ambiguous formulation of the states’ final goal: the aim is to ban cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. This distinction will enable states involved to argue about the definition of what is and is not acceptable.

The next negotiations will be crucial to know how far the states are ready to go in a ban. The signatories have agreed upon a demanding schedule, with meetings in Peru in May, Austria in November and Ireland in early 2008. Belgium also proposed the organisation of a regional conference for the 27 members of the European Union.

At the beginning of the conference, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland were reluctant to agree on a process outside the CCW framework. However, they were progressively talked into it by the strong arguments of civil society, and by the ever growing support of the participating countries, especially those which were affected by cluster bombs, such as Lebanon, Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia.

The Norwegian diplomatic know-how and the support of Mexico, Ireland, New Zealand, Belgium and Austria made it possible to avoid drifting from the initial objective, which was to reach a significant ban. Obviously, the massive indiscriminate bombings in Southern Lebanon as well as the presence of survivors of cluster munitions’ accidents, who met with the delegations, had a great impact leading to a final quasi-consensus.

On Friday, Handicap International was invited to provide each delegation with the list of the 300,000 people who signed the petition in support of a complete ban on cluster munitions.

23 February 2007
Oslo Conference on Cluster Munitions: Final Declaration

A group of States, United Nations Organisations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Cluster Munitions Coalition and other humanitarian organisations met in Oslo on 22 – 23 February 2007 to discuss how to effectively address the humanitarian problems caused by cluster munitions.  

Recognising the grave consequences caused by the use of cluster munitions and the need for immediate action, states commit themselves to:    

1. Conclude by 2008 a legally binding international instrument that will:  

(i) prohibit the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of clustermunitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians, and  

(ii) establish a framework for cooperation and assistance that ensures adequate provision of care and rehabilitation to survivors and their communities, clearance of contaminated areas, risk education and destruction of stockpiles of prohibited cluster munitions.  

2. Consider taking steps at the national level to address these problems.  

3. Continue to address the humanitarian challenges posed by cluster munitions within the framework of international humanitarian law and in all relevant fora.  

4. Meet again to continue their work, including in Lima in May/June and Vienna in November/December 2007, and in Dublin in early 2008, and welcome the announcement of Belgium to organise a regional meeting.      

19 February 2007
Oslo Conference on international cluster bomb ban set to begin

The Oslo Conference on Cluster Munitions (OCCM), a process aimed at producing an international ban on cluster bombs, is set for 22 to 23 February 2007. Some 40 governments have already pledged their participation in the conference.

In November 2006 Norway declared that it would spearhead negotiations towards an international ban on cluster bombs following the failure of an arms control conference in Geneva to move against the weapons. Norway’s announcement was prompted by the failure of states parties to the 1980 Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) to agree to begin negotiations on cluster munitions.

Following the deadlock at the CCW Norway officially called on states, the International Committee on the Red Cross, and the relevant NGOs to draw up a legally-binding instrument specific to cluster bombs. If the upcoming and subsequent summits are successful, it will mark a turning point in the history of international humanitarian law.

A similar initiative by Canada in 1997 led to the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines, which has now been signed by 154 countries.

19 February 2007
Handicap International and other NGO’s set for large role in Oslo Conference

Handicap International and numerous other non-governmental organizations and UN bodies will attend The Oslo Conference on Cluster Munitions (OCCM) this week to inform and draw attention to this historical event.

Parallel to the government meeting, the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC), of which Handicap International is a co-founder, is organising an international Civil Society Forum on Cluster Munitions, as well as a series of events for non-governmental organisations, campaigners, the public and the media. These events will be held from Tuesday 20 to Friday 23 February 2007.

Panelists at the Civil Society Forum on Cluster Munitions will include cluster bomb victims from Lebanon and Serbia, Ms. Jody Williams, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 on behalf of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Mr. Erik Solheim, the Norwegian Minister of Development, and Ms. Luisa Morgantini, the Deputy President of the European Parliament. On this occasion, Handicap International will present a petition containing the 300,000 signatures that have been gathered across Europe in support of a ban on cluster bombs.

The Handicap International delegation at the OCCM will be headed by Dr. Jean Baptiste Richardier, CEO of Handicap International France.

8 February 2007
United States continues to support proliferation of cluster munitions

Handicap International condemns the United States’ hypocritical stance on cluster munitions. While the United States has required certain restraints on the use of the cluster bombs it sells to some countries, it continues to support the proliferation of these inhumane weapons.

According to the U.S. Department of State, while using American made cluster bombs in Lebanon, Israel may have violated an agreement reached with the United States, which imposed a “restrained” use on these weapons. "There may -- likely could have been some violations," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. Such a stance ignores the true impact of these weapons, which disproportionately impact civilians regardless of the nature of their use. A complete ban on cluster bombs rather than their “restrained” use is essential to stop these weapons from killing and injuring civilians.

This is the message that Handicap International will bring to Oslo on the 22nd and 23rd February, where approximately 40 states will meet for the first time to establish an international ban on these inhumane weapons. Despite the large international contingent that will attend these negotiations the United States and Israel will not be present.

According to the Mine Action Coordination Centre of Southern Lebanon (UNMACC), the Israeli Army used close to 4 million submunitions in the recent conflict with Lebanon, a vast majority being American produced. Today there remain about one million unexploded submunitions, posing a constant threat to the civilian population. From the ceasefire to 25th
January 2007 unexploded cluster munitions have claimed 186 civilian victims in Lebanon, according to the National Office of Mine Clearance in Lebanon. 33% were less than 18 years old. A report on cluster bombs published by Handicap International in November 2006 shows
these grim statistics to be representative of all areas where cluster bombs are used. The report indicates that 98% of the victims of these weapons are civilians, and 27% are children.

In 1982, following Israel’s heavy use of cluster bombs in civilian areas of Lebanon, the United States banned the sale of cluster bombs to Israel for six years. The U.S. State Department has said that any further investigation or action against the Israeli government by the United States would be determined in consultations with Congress. Israel produces its own cluster munitions, so any possible cutoff of U.S. supplies would be mainly symbolic.

5 December 2006
Official UK Government Position Still Supports Use of Cluster Munitions

Despite mounting UK Parliament cross-party support for a ban on cluster bombs and extensive evidence attesting to the devastating and inhumane impact that cluster munitions have on civilians, the UK continues to stockpile, transfer and use these weapons. While the government has expressed concerns regarding the humanitarian impact of these weapons, the official position continues to be that the UK will retain cluster munitions as a military option.

Following the launch of the Handicap International report “Fatal Footprint” in early November a leaked letter by International Development Secretary Hilary Benn called cluster munitions “essentially equivalent to landmines” and called for the British military to stop their use. “The high failure rate of many cluster munitions, and the failure of many militaries around the world to use these munitions in a targeted way means that cluster munitions have a very serious humanitarian impact, pushing at the boundaries of international humanitarian law,” Mr. Benn wrote.

In mid-November, during the Third Review meeting of the UN Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), the British delegation countered calls for negotiations on cluster munitions with the suggestion that further discussion take place in the future within the framework of the CCW. Supporters of negotiating a ban countered that the proposal was inadequate, simply postponing discussion on a vital humanitarian issue.

In a written parliamentary statement published December 5th, Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells said that he wanted to set out and explain the government's policy on cluster munitions. While claiming that the government “fully shares widespread concerns about the humanitarian impact of these weapons” Howells also insisted that "compelling and legitimate conditions may occur when our armed forces need to use these weapons."

That same day Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson Willie Rennie called on the British military to disassemble its stockpile of cluster bombs and immediately scrap unguided “dumb” bombs. This call was echoed by Michael Moore, the Liberal Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson who remarked, “The bottom line is we should be getting rid of all cluster munitions.”

Foreign Office minister Geoff Hoon commented that “we are taking steps as best we can to reach an agreement internationally that, in particular, those weapons that cannot be properly targeted - that is those that are considered to be dumb - should not be used by any country.