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Section
Cluster munitions and international humanitarian law
Cluster munitions have been a persistent humanitarian problem for decades. Although used in only a few dozen armed conflicts over the last forty years, these weapons have killed and injured large numbers of civilians in war-affected countries.


Cluster munitions have unique characteristics that make them a grave danger to civilian men, women and children. At the time they are used during conflict, cluster munitions can disperse explosive submunitions (bomblets) over very wide areas, potentially causing very high civilian casualties when they are used in populated areas. In addition, large numbers of submunitions fail to explode as intended, leaving a long-term legacy of explosive contamination. Many thousands of civilian men, women and children have been tragically killed and injured by coming into contact with unexploded submunitions.

On May 30, 2008, 111 States adopted the Cluster Munition Convention at a Diplomatic Conference held in Dublin, Ireland. The ICRC warmly welcomes the adoption of this historic agreement which prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions. By adopting this Convention, States have taken a major step towards ending the death, injury and suffering caused by these weapons.
States must now adhere to the Convention, and all governments, armed forces and armed groups – in particular those who possess and stockpile cluster munitions – must fully implement its provisions. Only then can the international community claim success against the danger.s posed by these weapons.

Key document
    16-10-2008
    Cluster munitions: A new treaty to end decades of civilians suffering
    Cluster munitions have been a persistent problem for decades. These weapons have killed or injured tens of thousands of civilians in war-affected countries. In May 2008, more than 100 States adopted the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits the use, development, production, stockpiling and transfer of such munitions. It also requires States Parties to destroy their stockpiles, clear remnants, and assist victims. This brochure provides an overview of the cluster munitions problem, the main provisions of the Convention and the steps required to meet its commitments.
    (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Humanitarian law)
    ICRC Publication Includes PDF

    24-6-2008
    Questions and answers on the Cluster Munitions Convention
    The ICRC has warmly welcomed the adoption of the Cluster Munitions Convention. This historic agreement prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions that have caused widespread civilian casualties. The following is an updated version of an interview with Peter Herby, head of the ICRC's arms unit (25.05.08)
    (Humanitarian law\Weapons\Cluster munitions)
    Interview

    2-2-2008
    Cluster munitions: why we need to limit them
    What are cluster munitions? Where are they? Who are the victims? What is the Red Cross and Red Crescent doing about it? – four special factsheets provide the answers.
    (Humanitarian law\Weapons\Cluster munitions)
    Includes PDF

Event
ICRC film
    13-10-2008
    The Convention on Cluster Munitions: Time to Act
    Cluster munitions have been a persistent problem for decades. These weapons have killed or injured tens of thousands of civilians in war-affected countries. In May 2008, more than 100 States adopted the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits the use, development, production, stockpiling and transfer of such munitions. It also requires States Parties to destroy their stockpiles, clear remnants, and assist victims. This DVD provides an overview of the cluster munitions problem, the main provisions of the Convention and the steps required to meet its commitments.
    (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\Humanitarian law)
    ICRC film Includes Video

ICRC Publication
    18-9-2008
    Convention on Cluster Munitions
    This booklet contains the text of the Convention on Cluster Munitions adopted on 30 May 2008 by the Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions. It is intended to promote understanding of the Convention's rules and to facilitate its ratification and implementation by governments.
    (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Humanitarian law)
    ICRC Publication Includes PDF

    10-4-2008
    Cluster munitions: Decades of failure, decades of civilian suffering
    Cluster munitions have been a persistent problem for decades. These weapons have unique characteristics that make them a grave danger to civilians. This kit contains four fact sheets that provide an overview of the cluster munitions problem, the challenges in clearing these weapons, the difficulties and needs of victims, and the role of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in reducing the impact of cluster munitions on civilians.
    (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Humanitarian law)
    ICRC Publication

    31-5-2007
    Expert Meeting Report: "Humanitarian, Military, Technical and Legal Challenges of Cluster Munitions"
    This publication is a summary report of the ICRC Expert Meeting on the Humanitarian, Military, Technical and Legal Challenges of Cluster Munitions, held 18 to 20 April 2007 in Montreux, Switzerland. This event was organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to examine the cluster munitions problem and to consider all possible means of reducing their negative impact on civilian populations.
    (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Humanitarian law)
    ICRC Publication Includes PDF

Interview
    5-2-2008
    Cluster munitions: ICRC calls for urgent action
    The head of the ICRC's arms unit, Peter Herby, explains why the ICRC is calling for national and international action to address the devastating consequences these weapons have on civilian populations.
    (Humanitarian law\Weapons\Cluster munitions)
    Interview

Official Statement
Photo Collection
    8-5-2008
    Laos: the enduring threat from cluster munitions
    According to the Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme (UXO Lao), some 270 million cluster submunitions (bomblets, also commonly called "bombies" in Laos) were dropped on Laos in the 1960s and 1970s; approximately one third of these submunitions failed to explode and go on killing today. Photo feature from Xieng Khouang province, near the Vietnam border, where a wide range of deadly explosive remnants of war threatens the population.
    (Info resources\Photos\Asia and the Pacific)
    Photo Collection

    6-7-2007
    Living with cluster munitions in Lebanon
    Cluster munitions continue to endanger civilians in Lebanon one year after the war's end.
    (Info resources\Photos\Middle East and North Africa)
    Photo Collection Includes Photo

Press article
    9-5-2008
    Cluster bombs of the Secret War
    Link to an article published on the blog of Richard Lloyd Parry, Times online, 27 April 2008.
    (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Laos)
    Press articleRichard Lloyd Parry

    29-4-2008
    Beyond mine action: the Movement’s approach to weapon contamination
    One outcome of the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent is a resolution that included a call on states to strengthen the protection of civilians against the indiscriminate use and effects of weapons and munitions, stressing the need to address the humanitarian impact of explosive remnants of war and cluster munitions. Apart from efforts on the legal front, the Movement is also striving to reduce the humanitarian impact of weapon contamination through its operations - Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 1, 2008.
    (ICRC Activities\Mine action)
    Press article

    26-4-2008
    A deadly harvest of cluster bombs in Laos
    Viengkeo Kavongsone had lived in fear of such a catastrophe all his life - in the jungle, in the paddy fields, on the mountain - but never in his own back yard. Article published in the Times, 26 April 2008
    (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Laos)
    Press articleRichard Lloyd Parry

    19-2-2008
    States must act now to prevent cruel toll of cluster munitions
    This article, by Jakob Kellenberger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, was first published on 18 February 2008 on the Reuters AlertNet website.
    (Humanitarian law\Weapons\Cluster munitions)
    Press article

    2-1-2008
    Putting a stop to cluster munitions
    After decades of failure and persistent civilian suffering caused by cluster munitions, global concern is gaining momentum to put an end to these terrible weapons. Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 3, 2007
    (Focus\Landmines)
    Press article

More in this section
Other site
    15-2-2008
    The Cluster Munitions Process 2007 - 2008
    The Oslo process on cluster munitions. This website is published by the states facilitating the Cluster Munitions process to promote transparency and participation in the process.
    (Info resources\Other sites\Intergovernmental organizations)
    Other site

    5-2-2008
    Cluster Munition Coalition
    The CMC is a network of around 200 civil society organisations, including NGOs, faith-based groups and professional organisations.
    (Info resources\Other sites\Institutes and universities)
    Other site

    4-2-2008
    Handicap International
    Handicap International is one the six founding NGO’s of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Description of work. Countries where active
    (Info resources\Other sites\Non-governmental organizations)
    Other site

    4-2-2008
    Human Rights Watch
    Documents on Cluster Bombs
    (Info resources\Other sites\Non-governmental organizations)
    Other site

    4-2-2008
    United Nations Mine Action Co-ordination Centre in South Lebanon (UNMACC SL)
    The role of MACC SL is to provide a planning, coordination and quality assurance capability that ensures landmine and unexploded ordnance clearance undertaken within the mandated area is done in the most effective, safe and time efficient manner, and in accordance with National Technical Standards and Guidlines, developed from International Mine Action Standards.
    (Info resources\Other sites\United Nations)
    Other site

    1-2-2008
    International Campaign to Ban Landmines
    News on mines, Mine Ban Convention , etc. List of publications and videos (on-line ordering). Landmine research resources (websites, books, audiovisual aids). Photos. Information on Ottawa Convention (text, recent ratifications, meetings of States Parties, etc.). Calendar of mine-related meetings.
    (Info resources\Other sites\Non-governmental organizations)
    Other site

    1-2-2008
    Norwegian People's Aid
    (Info resources\Other sites\Non-governmental organizations)
    Other site



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2-12-2008