ICBL Statement on Cluster Munitions and Explosive Remnants of War

(Wednesday 19 December 2001 Geneva, Switzerland) ICBL statement addressed to the final plenary of the Convention on Conventional Weapons Review Conference in Geneva

The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) has always recognised the humanitarian impact of unexploded ordnance other than anti-personnel landmines. Indeed, the field experience of member organisations of the ICBL is that, like anti-personnel mines, such explosive remnants of war cause widespread civilian casualties and hinder reconstruction and development by preventing safe access to infrastructure and land. The work of ICBL members has also shown that, among the range of explosive remnants of war, cluster submunitions that have failed to explode on impact can cause particularly severe humanitarian problems, in part because of the sheer volume of sensitive ordnance that can be spread over wide areas. In recognition of this problem, some members of the ICBL have called for a moratorium on the use, production and trade of cluster weapons until the humanitarian concerns can be effectively addressed.

The ICBL has decided to support these calls for a moratorium on the use, production and trade of cluster munitions. The ICBL also strongly supports efforts to create new international humanitarian law on the wider problem of explosive remnants of war, including cluster weapons. ICBL members implementing mine risk reduction education (mine awareness), mine clearance and/or victim assistance programmes cannot and will not ignore the long-term dangers and damage caused by munitions other than anti-personnel landmines.

The ICBL supports the urgent negotiation of a new protocol on explosive remnants of war in the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW). To make an effective difference to the lives and livelihoods of communities affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance, such a protocol should include, among others, the following principles:

1. The users of cluster bombs and other explosive munitions should take responsibility for the clearance of unexploded ordnance, or for providing assistance to ensure its clearance.
2. Technical information to facilitate clearance should be provided to the UN and clearance organisations immediately after use. This should include data on types of ordnance used, geographical locations and render safe procedures.
3. The users of weapons, such as cluster munitions, likely to have a long- term impact should provide appropriate information and warnings to civilians both during and after conflict.
4. Use and targeting issues should be addressed including a prohibition on the use of cluster munitions in or near concentrations of civilians. The ICBL remains focused on the complete eradication of anti-personnel mines and the full implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. The ICBL also encourages its members and supporters to work to alleviate the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war.

Geneva, Switzerland, December 2001.

For additional information, write SPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERicbl.org">mediaSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERicbl.org or contact:

• Steve Goose, Human Rights Watch in Geneva, +41 79 470 1931
• Liz Bernstein, ICBL Coordinator, Washington, DC, at +1 202 547 2667
• Sue Wixley, ICBL Advocacy and Communications Officer, +44 20 7820 9577

ICBL member statements and reports on cluster bombs:

• HI France 3 Dec: Mines antipersonnel, bombes à fragmentation : Handicap International appelle les autorités françaises à la vigilance sur la position américaine
• MAC 13 Nov: MAC Coalition Calls For A Moratorium On Cluster Bombs
• HRW 16 Nov: Cluster Bomblets Litter Afghanistan
• HI Belgium:De nouveaux engins non explosés en Afghanistan
• Human Rights Watch: Afghanistan: US Should Stop Using Cluster Bombs - Press Release and Backgrounder on Cluster Bombs in Afghanistan
• Landmine Action (UK): Landmine Campaigners Condemn Use of Cluster Bombs in Afghanistan
• MAC: The Campaign Against Cluster Bombs: Key Considerations for Mines Action Canada
• Mennonite Central Committee: Call for a moratorium on cluster bomb use, production, and transfer
• Federation of American Scientists: Cluster Bombs, technical explanation