Cluster munitions kill and injure people both during armed conflict and long after hostilities have ceased. Vast numbers of undetonated cluster submunitions (“bomblets”) are left behind only to explode later – sometimes after many years. In contaminated areas this threat prevents refugees from returning home, farmers from tending the land, and children from playing freely.
The Convention on Cluster Munitions categorically bans all use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions. So far 107 states, including Norway, have signed the Convention.
A milestone
“The entry into force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions is a milestone. It significantly strengthens international humanitarian law, and sets a norm that in our view makes it impossible to deploy cluster munitions,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre. “The Convention will make a difference in the field because it provides an effective framework for clearing contaminated areas, securing assistance to survivors, and setting clear deadlines for the destruction of all stockpiled cluster munitions.”
The Convention is legally binding for all states parties and strengthens the protection of civilians. The speed of the process, which was initiated by Norway in February 2007 and is now culminating in the entry into force of the Convention, reflects the strong international support for these efforts.
At the signing conference for the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Oslo on 3-4 December 2008:
Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre congratulates Soraj Ghulam Habib of Afghanistan, who represents the survivors’ organisation Ban Advocates. Habib lost both legs at the age of 10 when he stepped on an unexploded bomblet while playing in his neighbourhood. Photo: Federico VisiWith the slogan “Beat the drum to ban cluster bombs”, an international partnership of humanitarian organisations called the Cluster Munition Coalition is organising a worldwide event on 1 August where representatives of civil society all around the world will celebrate this historic day by beating drums. In Norway, Norwegian People’s Aid is cooperating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mark the occasion with 10 000 drums during the annual Norway Cup youth football tournament.
Obligation to destroy and clear
All states parties to the Convention have an obligation to destroy all their stockpiles of cluster munitions within eight years. Affected states parties must, within 10 years, clear all areas contaminated by cluster munitions. All states parties must also ensure that victims are given assistance and psychological support and provide for their social and economic inclusion. Each state party in a position to do so shall provide technical, material and financial assistance to states parties that need such assistance, so that all states parties can fulfil their obligations under the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
“Now it is time for Norway and the other states that have signed and ratified the Convention to deliver on their commitments,” said Mr Støre. “On 16 July we completed the destruction of all of Norway’s remaining cluster munitions. Norway is now free of cluster munitions – and we will continue to help the rest of the world to follow suit.”
The Convention website features an updated list of states that have signed and ratified the Convention, a calendar of ongoing international efforts, and the text of the Convention in English, French and Spanish.