Separate articles in the convention concern destruction of stockpiles, clearance of contaminated areas, assistance to victims, submission of transparency reports, and adoption of domestic legislation. Cluster munitions ccm, thereby bringing the total number of ratifications to 30 and thus triggering the sixmonth countdown to entry into force. The scope of the convention on cluster munitions a cluster munition is a weapon consisting of a container or dispenser from which many submunitions or bomblets are scattered over wide areas. The end of american cluster munitions is arriving and the department of defense dod has no plans to replace them.
Adopted on 30 may 2008 during a diplomatic conference held in dublin, it was the culmination of a process begun in oslo in february 2007, following the failure of the convention. How dumb cluster bombs are becoming heinously smart. Convention, of cluster munitions, including explosive submunitions, with details of the methods that will be used in destruction, the location of all destruction sites and the applicable safety and environmental standards to be observed. Convention on conventional weapons and consistent with past. Cluster munitions are legitimate weapons with clear military utility, as they. Egyptian cluster bombs allegedly used in syria there are 111 signatories among them only 71 countries ratified the convention on cluster munitions of may 2008. The process aimed at creating an international treaty to prohibit cluster munitions that cause unacceptable suffering to civilians. Treaties, states parties, and commentaries convention on. In addition, it establishes a framework for cooperation and assistance to ensure adequate assistance to survivors and their communities, clearance of contaminated areas. The convention on cluster munitions ccm, which prohibits the use, transfer, or stockpile of cluster bombs, is observed by 111 countries. The humanitarian objection to cluster munitions therefore arises mainly from two properties of this class of weapons. The convention on cluster munitions entered into force on 1 august 2010, the first day of the sixth month after the deposit of the thirtieth instrument of ratification in accordance with article 17 of the convention. The convention on cluster munitions and the evolution of. The convention will enter into force on 1 august 2010, and the first meeting of states parties will be held in lao pdr in november.
When dropped, the bomb is designed to open midair and distribute the bomblets so that they, on impact, will explode and affect an area that can be as. Convention on cluster munitions e united nations office. Cluster munitions are characterized as bombs or shells that consist of an outer casing that houses dozens, or even hundreds, of smaller submunitions. Convention on cluster munitions and mine ban treaty respectively. The treaty the 2008 convention on cluster munitions provides the only international framework for eradicating these weapons. Convention on cluster munitions convention on cluster munitions. A cluster bomb can contain anywhere from nine to several hundred bomblets. The 2008 convention on cluster munitions prohibits use, development, production, stockpiling, and transfer of cluster munitions, as defined. An act to implement the convention on cluster munitions in insert country name. Many submunitions are unreliable and fail to explode, thus creating a potential humanitarian impact on. This important international humanitarian law treaty prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions and requires states to.
Cluster munitions do not distinguish between civilians and combatants and can leave behind unexploded ordnance which can harm civilians and be detrimental to economic and social development for decades after use. The convention was adopted in dublin by 107 states on 30 may 2008 and signed on 3 december the same year. The convention on cluster munitions is the latest in a series of modern weapons. The 2008 convention on cluster munitions was adopted by 107 states on 30 may 2008 at a specially convened diplomatic conference. Convention text the convention on cluster munitions. The convention on cluster munitions ccm is an international treaty that prohibits the use, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster bombs, a type of explosive weapon which scatters submunitions bomblets over an area. Yet, the cluster bomb concept has evolved from the dumbest of dumb bombs into a more targeted and discriminating weapon. Moreover, unexploded duds lying around form a lifethreatening hazard for civilians long after. The convention on cluster munitions separate articles in the convention concern assistance to victims, clearance of contaminated areas and destruction of stockpiles. When dod implements the final phase of this policy, it will deprive itself of a critical capability without any plans to fill the giant gap they will leave in.
Convention on cluster munitions ccm the ccm was adopted in may 2008 and entered into force in august 2010. The convention on cluster munitions prohibits all use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of cluster munitions. This guide to cluster munitions provides practical information to those engaged in addressing the impact of unexploded cluster munitions on civilians. This article provides a basic introduction to cluster munitions and their humanitarian effects. The convention on cluster munitions the ccm is the international treaty of more than 100 states that addresses the humanitarian consequences and unacceptable harm caused to civilians by cluster munitions, through a categorical prohibition and a framework for action. Why cluster munitions must be replaced war on the rocks. The role of ngo activism in the implementation of the. Cluster munition monitor, now in its tenth edition, was first released in 2010 and builds upon the 2009 report banning cluster munitions. First is the fact that whatever legitimate role cluster munitions may be applied to, their nature and characteristics lend themselves so easily to. Convention on cluster munitions reporting formats for article 7 of the convention on cluster munitions state party. The strength of the treaty is largely due to the prohibition on cluster munitions as an entire category of weapons. The convention on cluster munitions ccm prohibits all use, stockpiling, production and transfer of cluster munitions. The secretarygeneral of the united nations shall trans mit all such reports received to the states parties.
Convention sur les armes a sousmunitions kohbehuidi no kaccethbim 60enphnacam convenci6n sobre municiones en racimo. Convention on cluster munitions at wikisource the convention on cluster munitions ccm is an international treaty that prohibits the use, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster bombs, a type of explosive weapon which scatters submunitions bomblets over an area. Will keep older cluster munitions, a weapon banned by. Convention on cluster munitions the states parties to this convention, deeply concerned that civilian populations and individual civilians continue to bear the brunt of armed conflict, determined to put an end for all time to the suffering and casualties caused by cluster munitions at the time of their use, when they fail to function as intended or when they are abandoned. The last known use of cluster munitions by the united states military was a december 2009 strike in yemen, when navy warships fired multiple tomahawk cruise missiles carrying bomblets. It prohibits the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of cluster munitions, as well as assistance with any of these activities. The convention on cluster munitions bans all use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions. It is also based on international humanitarian law. The department of defense dod continues to view cluster munitions as a military necessity but in 2008instituted a policy to reduce the failure rate of cluster. It entered into force on 1 august 2010, six months after it was. Convention on cluster munitions, 30 may 2008 state parties 108 state signatories after decades of seeing civilians suffer with each new use of cluster munitions, and in the face of an inadequate response in other fora, norway launched the oslo process on cluster munitions in february 2007 by inviting governments supporting the. This act entered into force on 16 march 2015 and canada ratified the convention on cluster munitions that same day.
Dublin, 30 may 2008 the convention was ratified by the united kingdom on the 4 may 2010 and entered into force for the united kingdom on the 1 november 2010 presented to parliament by the secretary of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs by command of her majesty august 2011. Selected preparatory documents in chronological order. Convention on cluster munitions the issues monitor. A total of 102 states have ratified or acceded to the convention on cluster munitions to become full statesparties as of 1 august 2017, and 17 states that have signed have yet to ratify. Its disarmament provisions comprehensively prohibit the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster munitions, as well as assistance with any of these banned activities, and require that stockpiled cluster.
Government policy and practice, which was researched and written by human rights watch and landmine action now action on armed violence, and published by. Cluster munitions international committee of the red cross. Cluster bombs are banned under the convention on cluster munitions ccm, an international treaty that addresses the humanitarian consequences and unacceptable harm caused to civilians by cluster munitions through a categorical prohibition and a framework for action. That is one of the reasons that it spends more than any other country to eliminate the risk to civilians from landmines and all explosive remnants of war, including unexploded cluster munitions. The convention on cluster munitions the ccm is the. Implementation of the convention on cluster munitions. Convention on cluster munitions international treaty. Cluster munitions have been highly criticized internationally for causing a significant number of civilian deaths, and efforts have been undertaken to ban and regulate their use. Cluster munitions have had a severe impact on civilians, killing and injuring large numbers and causing long lasting socioeconomic problems.
Such a report shall be prepared for each year during. The convention also sets legal precedent in three ways. Implementation of the convention on cluster munitions unog. It is an unverifiable, unenforceable, allornothing exercise in moral suasion, not a serious diplomatic instrument. The purpose of the convention is to provide a comprehensive international response to the suffering caused by the use of cluster munitions and. Convention on cluster munitions human rights watch. Ensuring that the convention fulfils its promises requires the widest possible adherence and implementation. The role of ngo activism in the implementation of the convention on cluster munitions thomas nash thomas nash joined the international cluster munition coalition cmc in early 2004 and has served as coordinator throughout the successful global campaign to. The convention was adopted on 30 may 2008 in dublin, and was opened for signature on 3 december 2008 in oslo. Cluster munitions, cluster bombs human rights watch. Cluster munitions have a widearea effect, which makes them inherently inaccurate when used.
Convention on cluster munitions the states parties to this convention, deeply concerned that civilian populations and individual civilians continue to bear the brunt of armed conflict, determined to put an end for all time to the suffering and casualties caused by cluster munitions at the time of their use, when they fail to function as intended or when they. How they work and the function they serve cluster munitions target an area rather than a single point. The convention entered into force on 1 august 2010. This type of ordnance, which can be delivered by several means,18 consists of a container that releases submunitions, or bomblets, while.
It creates perverse incentives for insurgents to use civilian populations as human shields. Transfer involves, in addition to the physical movement of cluster munitions into or from national territory, the transfer of title to and control over cluster munitions, but does not involve the. It not only includes a chapter on the content of the convention and one on stockpile destructiona signi. Model law convention on cluster munitions the convention on.
Cluster munitions or cluster bombs are weapons that consist of one carrier container filled with separate bomblets. The convention on cluster munitions was adopted by 107 countries on 30 may 2008 in dublin, ireland. Cluster munition remnants means failed cluster munitions, abandoned cluster munitions, unexploded submunitions and unexploded bomblets. Fact sheet convention on cluster munitions the convention on cluster munitions ccm was opened for signature in oslo on 3 december 2008 and entered into force on 1 august 2010. Convention on cluster munitions, international treaty, adopted by more than 100 countries on may 30, 2008, that prohibited the manufacture, transfer, and use of cluster munitions. Cluster munitions at a glance arms control association.
Recalling its resolutions 6371 of 2 december 2008 on the. Convention on cluster munitions tke states parties to this convention, deeply concerned that civilian populations and individual civilians continue to bear the brunt of armed conflict, determined to put an end for all time to the suffering and casualties caused by cluster munitions at the time of their use, when they fail to function. Status of the 2008 convention on cluster munitions. The convention on cluster munitions seeks to end the significant humanitarian harm cluster munitions pose to civilians. Convention on certain conventional weapons convention ccw at a. The convention on cluster munitions ccm prohibits the use, possession, production and transfer of cluster munitions and requires the destruction of existing stocks. The act prohibits the use, development, production, acquisition, possession, import, export, as well as foreign movement for the purpose of transferring ownership and control of cluster munitions. Should not join the convention on cluster munitions. The convention on cluster munitions and the evolution of international humanitarian law bonnie docherty abstract the 2008 convention on cluster munitions comprehensively bans a weapon that causes civilian casualties both during and after attacks. It opened for signature on 3 december 2008, and entered into force on 1 august 2010. Convention on cluster munitions arms control association. Cluster munitions pose an immediate threat to civilians during conflict by randomly scattering submunitions or bomblets over a wide area.
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