News Landmines and cluster munitions: a safer future within reach 3-4-2009 News release 3-12-2008 News release 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. 13-1-2009 The Convention on Cluster Munitions - frequently asked questionsCluster munitions have unique characteristics that make them a grave danger to civilians. They disperse large numbers of explosive submunitions over wide areas and often fail to explode immediately, leaving a long-term legacy of explosive contamination. States have adopted a new treaty that prohibits cluster munitions and requires specific action to address their humanitarian consequences. (Humanitarian law\Weapons\Cluster munitions) FAQ 19-12-2008 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions - ratification kitState adherence to and implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (Humanitarian law\National implementation\Publications\Ratification kits) Includes PDF 2-2-2008 Cluster munitions: why we need to limit themWhat 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 1-1-2009 Map: global contamination from mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW)Link to the Landmine Monitor website (Focus\Landmines) Atlas 30-11-2008 2008 Convention on Cluster MunitionsFact sheet describing the obligations of States regarding the national implementation of the norms contained in this particular instrument of international humanitarian law.
(Humanitarian law\National implementation\Publications\Fact sheets) Fact Sheet Includes PDF 12-3-2009 Bulletin of the ICRC regional delegation covering Mexico, Central America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean.The latest edition looks at the issue of cluster munitions and steps towards creating an international legal framework banning or restricting them. Costa Rica and Mexico are among the States involved since the outset, through regional initiatives aimed at finding a joint approach - in Spanish (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Mexico) Field newsletter 13-10-2008 The Convention on Cluster Munitions: Time to ActCluster 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 16-10-2008 Cluster munitions: A new treaty to end decades of civilians sufferingCluster 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 18-9-2008 Convention on Cluster MunitionsThis 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 sufferingCluster munitions have been a persistent problem for decades. These weapons have unique characteristics that make them a grave danger to civilians. These four fact sheets 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 24-6-2008 Questions and answers on the Cluster Munitions ConventionThe 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 5-2-2008 Cluster munitions: ICRC calls for urgent actionThe 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 Includes Photo 3-12-2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions: ICRC welcomes signing of historic agreementStatement by Jakob Kellenberger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Convention on Cluster Munitions Signing Conference, Oslo, 3 December 2008 (Humanitarian law\Weapons\Cluster munitions) Official Statement Includes Photo 3-11-2008 ICRC reaffirms strong support for Convention on Cluster MunitionsStatement of Dr Philip Spoerri Director for International Law and Cooperation within the Movement, ICRC. Group of Governmental Experts of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects, Geneva, 3 November 2008 (Humanitarian law\Weapons\Conventional weapons) Official Statement 30-5-2008 Cluster munitions: ICRC hails convention as a major step forwardStatement by Peter Herby, head of the ICRC's arms unit, Dublin Conference on Cluster Munitions, Closing Ceremony, 30 May 2008 (Humanitarian law\Weapons\Cluster munitions) Official Statement 19-5-2008 Cluster munitions: ICRC calls for a strong treatyStatement by Jakob Kellenberger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, at the opening ceremony of the Dublin Diplomatic Conference on cluster munitions, 19 May 2008 (Humanitarian law\Weapons\Cluster munitions) Official Statement 25-10-2007 The ICRC's position on cluster munitions and the need for urgent actionStatement to Geneva Diplomatic Missions by Dr Jakob Kellenberger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), 25 October 2007 (Humanitarian law\Weapons\Cluster munitions) Official Statement 17-7-2009 Death in the fields. A comic-book report from Lebanon by Chappatte.Almost three years after the summer 2006 conflict, the people of southern Lebanon still live with the threat of time-bombs in the form of cluster-munition bomblets. Chappatte has worked for many publications, including the International Herald Tribune and Swiss daily Le Temps. He went to Lebanon as part of the "Our world. Your move." campaign. (Info resources\Photos) 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 Includes Photo 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 29-4-2008 Beyond mine action: the Movement’s approach to weapon contaminationOne 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 27-4-2008 Cluster bombs of the Secret WarLink 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 article 26-4-2008 A deadly harvest of cluster bombs in LaosViengkeo 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 article 19-2-2008 States must act now to prevent cruel toll of cluster munitionsThis 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 (Humanitarian law\Weapons\Cluster munitions) Press article 31-12-2008 Model law Convention on Cluster MunitionsLegislation for Common Law States on the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions (Humanitarian law\National implementation\Publications\Model laws) Includes PDF 22-6-2007 Observations on the legal issues related to the use of cluster munitionsGroup of governmental experts of the States Parties to the Convention on prohibitions or restrictions on the use of certain Conventional Weapons which may be deemed to be excessively injurious or to have indiscriminate effects, 2007 session, Geneva, 19-22 June 2007, Item 7 of the agenda. (Humanitarian law\Weapons\Cluster munitions) 15-2-2008 The Cluster Munitions Process 2007 - 2008The 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 CoalitionThe 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 InternationalHandicap 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 LandminesNews 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 |