Handicap International and Amnesty International welcome the prohibition of direct and indirect investments in cluster munitions.
Paris, 6th July, 2010 - France announced today that direct and indirect investment in the production or trade of cluster munitions is forbidden under French law. Handicap International and Amnesty International France, who have campaigned for several years on this issue, welcome this prohibition.
On the occasion of the debate on the national implementation law of the Oslo Convention on cluster munitions, the French government officially declared that "any financial assistance directly or indirectly, knowingly, to a manufacturing or trading activity of cluster munitions would be considered as an assistance, encouragement or inducement falling within the scope of criminal law "*. This declaration is the first statement specifying the prohibition of assistance stipulated by the Oslo Convention, and incorporated in French law.
Handicap International and Amnesty International France welcome the position taken by the government. Since 2006, the two NGOs have worked with French major financial groups to ensure they stop any investments in cluster bomb producers. Following this campaign, many financial groups had decided to implement a disinvestment policy.
"The French declaration is an important step for the actors involved in the fight against cluster bombs," said Thierry Philipponnat, Executive Board Member of Amnesty International France. "Indeed, the French government had always refused to specify that the prohibitions included in the Convention could be applied to any type of funding. This declaration will help to ensure that no one in France, small or large shareholder investors, will financially contribute to the development of these inhumane weapons". France joins the list of countries that have banned any investment in cluster bombs, along with Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand and soon Switzerland and Germany.
Other requests for clarification on the draft bill issued by the two NGOs have been taken into account either by amendment to the text, or by formal declaration*. "By adopting strong interpretations with regard to the demands of NGOs, France is clearly committed to the implementation of the Convention”, said Marion Libertucci, responsible for advocacy on cluster munitions for Handicap International. "The position of France, as a former producer and user of cluster munitions, should be an example for other countries. The prohibition of funding in the production of cluster munitions should contribute to the stigmatization of these weapons and help prevent future victims."
Both NGOs will stay engaged to ensure the French government meets its commitments against cluster munitions, firstly, by passing a dedicated law on investment, if current laws do not prove sufficient; and secondly, by significantly increasing French funding for bomb clearance and victim assistance.
Note: The Oslo Convention on cluster munitions, one of the most important disarmament treaties of the last decade, has been signed by 106 States and ratified by 37 states (including France and the UK). It prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and trade of cluster bombs, sets deadlines for clearance and stockpile destruction, and contains innovative measures to assist victims. The Oslo Convention will enter into force on 1st August 2010, prior to the first meeting of States Parties in November in Laos, the country most affected by cluster bombs in the world.
* Other points of clarification on the interpretation of the Oslo Convention concerned including interoperability (ability to conduct joint military operations with non-signatory States likely to use cluster bombs) and intermediation.
More information at www.handicap-international.fr and www.amnesty.fr
The minutes of the plenary session of the National Assembly are available at www.assemblee-nationale.fr
Press Contacts
Handicap International - Sophie Mazoyer 04 26 68 76 47 / 06 60 97 09 38 / smazoyer@handicap-international.org
Amnesty International France - Aurelie Chatelard 01 53 38 65 77 / 06 76 94 37 05 / achatelard@amnesty.fr
