On August 1, the Convention on Cluster Munitions will enter into force, banning the use, production, and trade of cluster bombs under international law. It is the most significant legal instrument for disarmament since the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty campaigned for by Nobel Laureate Jody Williams.

The ban will require State Parties to declare and destroy stockpiles of cluster munitions within eight years, clear land contaminated by the bombs within 10 years, and provide comprehensive support to the survivors of cluster munitions, their families and communities.

Cluster munitions have claimed over 10,000 lives – 40% of them children. The bomb releases hundreds of smaller munitions when detonated, spreading over a vast area. These sub-munitions may go unexploded for years after a conflict has ended, killing and injuring civilians who come across the bombs unknowingly.

107 countries have signed the Convention and 37 have ratified it into law. Among those that have ratified the Convention are Britain, France, Germany and Japan, all of which have significant stocks of cluster bombs. Though not legally bound by the Convention, signatories are obligated to act in accordance with the “object and purpose” of the treaty until it is ratified.

The United States – which produces and stockpiles over 800 million cluster munitions – has refused to sign the Convention, as have China, Russia, and Israel whose stocks remain undisclosed. Activists with the worldwide Cluster Munition Coalition repeated their demand this week that states failing to sign the Convention should do so immediately.

The Cluster Munitions Treaty has been noted for how quickly it gained international acceptance compared to other international agreements. The Convention reached 30 ratifications – the milestone required for it to become binding international law – only 21 months after it was introduced in 2008, indicating a strong commitment worldwide to begin addressing the devastating impact of these weapons.

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LEARN MORE

U.S. and major powers urged to join cluster munitions pact, Reuters, 29 July 2010.

Cluster bomb ban takes effect, Human Rights Watch, 29 July 2010.

TAKE ACTION

Visit the Cluster Munition Coalition at August1.org to take part in events celebrating the Conventions entry into force.

Demand that your leaders ratify the Convention: visit the Coalition homepage and Mines Action Canada to join the campaign.