Released today in Geneva, the Cluster Munition Monitor 2011 provides an annual review of the progress of the Convention on Cluster Munitions which bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of cluster munitions worldwide.
The verdict is highly encouraging, demonstrating that the Convention has already made a positive humanitarian impact, particularly in terms of land decontamination and stockpile destruction. However, this success is under direct threat from a much weaker agreement currently being discussed by States in Geneva as part of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW).
Making a real impact
The Cluster Munition Monitor report released this morning paints a very positive picture of the first year of implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions1 which entered into force in August 2010. “By destroying stockpiles, carrying out clearance operations and adopting new laws, States parties have made considerable efforts to adhere to this treaty. After just one year in force, the progress made is astounding,” explains Paul Vermeulen, Head of Advocacy at Handicap International.
The report indicates that in 2010:
- States parties destroyed almost 600,000 cluster munitions containing over 64.5 million submunitions.
- Two of the world’s biggest stockpilers - Germany (67 million submunitions) and the United Kingdom (39 million submunitions) - have already destroyed half of their respective stocks.
- 31 countries or territories are still contaminated by cluster munitions, but over half have already committed to abolishing these weapons by joining the Convention. These include Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Lebanon, which is one of the most contaminated countries in the world.
- Almost 60,000 unexploded submunitions have been destroyed in clearance operations worldwide and 18 million m² of land has been cleared of mines.
However, two negative aspects in the report highlight the ongoing need for concerted action against cluster munitions.
- New victims of cluster munitions have been recorded this year. In total, at least 16,921 cluster munitions victims have been identified worldwide, although the real figure could be as high as 54,000 as many victims are not recorded. All survivors need sustained support to recover from their injuries and contribute to their families, communities, and society as a whole.
- Two non-State parties used cluster munitions in 2011: Libya (in Misrata in April) and Thailand (in Cambodia in February).
The recent use of these weapons and the ever-increasing number of victims show that the fight must continue to ensure the Convention becomes a universal standard adopted by all States. It is the only means by which these weapons can be eradicated.
Threat from new agreement
The Cluster Munition Monitor 2011 report is being released at the fourth Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) review conference, during which certain States are attempting to negotiate a new, weaker agreement on cluster munitions. The CCW negotiations include several States who have used cluster munitions and have not signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, including Israel, Russia and the United States. Handicap International considers the draft text to be a weak and dangerous option which will authorise use of cluster bombs produced after 1980. If this text is adopted, these barbaric weapons will once again be seen as legitimate by certain States.
“Adopting this protocol would constitute a huge step backwards, in contradiction with the standard established by the Convention. In international humanitarian law a setback of this significance is unprecedented", said Paul Vermeulen. “States using cluster bombs are hiding behind this text to legitimise their use of these weapons, 98% of whose recorded victims are civilians."
Notes
1 To date, the Convention on Cluster Munitions counts 111 signatory States and 66 State parties.
Press contact
Tom Shelton, Handicap International UK
Tel: +44 (0)870 774 3737 | Mob: +44 (0)7508 820 520 | media@hi-uk.org
