09 November 2009
CMC Newsletter October 2009
CMC Newsletter October 20091. INTERNATIONAL NEWSConvention on Cluster Munitions strongly promoted at disarmament discussions in New YorkThe global campaign against cluster bombs received a major boost in New York in October during the UN First Committee on Disarmament and International Security. One new signature and 2 new ratifications brought the Convention on Cluster Munitions up to 101 signatures, and 23 ratifications. Malawi and Macedonia (FYR) deposited their instruments of ratification on 7 and 8 October respectively, becoming the 22nd and 23rd countries to ratify the cluster bomb ban. Seven more ratifications are needed for entry into force.H.E. Mr. Léo Mérorès signs the CCM on 28 October. Photo credit: UN Treaty SectionOn 28 October H. E. Mr. Léo Mérorès Ambassador Extraordinary and plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of Haiti to the United Nations signed the Convention, making Haiti the 101st signatory to the ban. Haiti is the third Caribbean State to join the ban after Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines and it is hoped that other Caribbean nations will follow suit soon. Caribbean nations have an important role to play in renouncing cluster munitions by joining the ban, as they did in banning anti-personnel landmines through the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, which all have signed.The Convention on Cluster Munitions featured prominently in governments' statements to the UN First Committee on disarmament and international security. During the debate on conventional weapons around 25 countries made particular reference to the Convention, calling on other states to join it and providing updates on steps they are taking to adhere to it. The procedural resolution (A/C.1/64/L.16) on the Convention, co-sponsored by Ireland and Lao PDR was adopted by consensus. The resolution welcomes the offer by Lao PDR to host the meeting and requests the UN Secretary-General to undertake the necessary preparations to convene the meeting.UN Special Event on the Convention on Cluster Munitions: 21 OctoberOn 21 October the United Nations hosted a Special Event on the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Representatives from a total of 60 countries participated in the event. Nineteen were from countries that have not yet signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The event was co-hosted by UNDP and the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs in cooperation with the Cluster Munition Coalition.Steve Goose of HRW (L) and Ayman Sorour of Protection with the Malawi representative Credit: Mary WarehamSpeakers at the event included Sergio Duarte, UN High Representative for Disarmament; Mr. Jordan Ryan, UNDP Assistant Administrator and head of its Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery; H.E. Ms. Kanika Phommachanh, The Lao Ambassador to the United Nations; Thomas Nash, Coordinator of the Cluster Munition Coalition; and Veronique Christory of ICRC's delegation to the UN in New York.Malawi and Macedonia were invited to take the floor first and both countries held up their ratification instruments to applause at the event. Statements were given from a number of countries including Malawi, Macedonia, Ireland, Indonesia, Croatia, Zambia, Norway, Spain and Belgium.For a full report go to: http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/un_specialevent_report.pdfCMC Stop Explosive Investments Campaign launchedOn 29 October campaigners launched the CMC's Stop Explosive Investments campaign to promote disinvestment from cluster bomb producers. The launch coincided with the release of the new report by CMC members IKV Pax Christi of the Netherlands and Netwerk Vlaanderen of Belgium entitled "Worldwide investments in cluster munitions: a shared responsibility".Campaigners hand over the report to Barclays bank in London’s financial district. Credit: Jeppe SchilderA press conference in Canary Wharf, London's modern financial district, was attended by journalists from Reuters, Italian press agency ANSA, Norwegian Dagbladet newspaper and a broadcast crew from Russia Today. Following the press conference, campaigners handed over copies of the report to Barclays, HSBC and RBS at their respective London headquarters.A number of campaigners issued press releases on the day of the launch while others are writing reports on disinvestment specific to their own countries. CMC campaigners in 15 countries plan to be involved in the disinvestment campaignThe launch of the report and the campaign resulted in extensive media coverage in more than 10 countries. Please visit the disinvestment campaign website where you can download the report, a campaign toolkit and a number of other materials www.stopexplosiveinvestments.org****2. MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH AlertNet, 8 October 20091,000,000 Danish kroner for clearing cluster bombshttp://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/danchaid/de64b89cf324da127fe53d90290dae79.htmThe Daily Star, Lebanon, 21 October 2009Cluster-bomb clearing teams call for cashhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=107782Channel 3000, 22 October 2009Vietnam War Bombs Still Killing In Laoshttp://www.channel3000.com/news/21304328/detail.htmlIloubnan, 26 October 2009A Lebanese wounded by a cluster bomb in Houlahttp://www.iloubnan.info/politics/actualite/id/39446/lebanon/A-Lebanese-wounded-by-a-cluster-bomb-in-HoulaDaily News, Sri Lanka, 28 October 2009Flow of arms to terrorists must stophttp://www.dailynews.lk/2009/10/28/fea01.aspAnsalatina.com, 28 October, 2009 (Spanish)Parlamento Aprueba Acuerdo Sobre Municion de Racimohttp://www.ansa.it/ansalatina/notizie/notiziari/ecuador/20091028212834970020.htmlGuardian, 29 October 2009Cluster bomb trade funded by world’s biggest bankshttp://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/oct/29/banks-fund-cluster-bomb-tradeAlertNet, 29 October 2009Report slams bank links to cluster bomb productionhttp://www.alertnet.org/db/an_art/60725/2009/09/29-184126-1.htm?nocache=1Valori, 29 October 2009 (Italian)Cluster bombs, il business a cui le grandi banche non rinuncianohttp://www.valori.it/italian/finanza-globale.php?idnews=1708Romandie, 29 October 2009, Switzerland (French)Banques suisses critiquées par Handicap Internationalhttp://www.romandie.com/infos/ats/display2.asp?page=20091029155857652172194810700_brf049.xmlSwiss info, 29 October 2009, Switzerland (Spanish)Denuncian financiación bancaria a fabricantes de bombas racimohttp://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/suiza_y_el_mundo/internacional/Denuncian_financiacion_bancaria_a_fabricantes_de_bombas_racimo.html?siteSect=143&sid=11423752&ty=tiThis is money, 29 October 2009UK banks cluster bomb shamehttp://www.thisismoney.co.uk/savings-and-banking/article.html?in_article_id=492575&in_page_id=7&ct=5&in_page_id=7&expand=truePolitics.be, 29 October 2009PS : Bombes à sous-munitions : le Sénat ratifie la Convention de Dublinhttp://www.politics.be/persmededelingen/23653/7sur7, 3 November 2009Les institutions financières investissent toujours dans les bombes à sous-munitionshttp://www.7sur7.be/7s7/fr/1536/Economie/article/detail/1022833/2009/10/29/Les-institutions-financieres-investissent-toujours-dans-les-bombes-a-sous-munitions.dhtml****3. CAMPAIGN AND COUNTRY UPDATESAlbania: Campaigners from South East Europe participated in a briefing on cluster munitions and lobbied government officials on the CCM at the Tirana Regional Workshop on the Mine Ban Treaty in Albania on 7-9 October. On Friday 9 October, the Cluster Munition Coalition and the Government of Albania hosted a side briefing on the Convention on Cluster Munitions, together with DanChurchAid, encouraging countries in the region to sign and ratify the CCM as soon as possible.Jonuz Cola, Victims of Mines and Arms: Kukes Association: kukesi@albmail.comAustria: Stan Brabant gave a briefing entitled "Cluster munitions: a victim's perspective" at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on 28 October. Judith Majlath also participated in the OSCE meeting distributing CMC briefing papers for delegates on the Convention on Cluster Munitions, encouraging the remaining 22 OSCE members that have not yet signed the Convention to join in the near future. The OSCE is an international organisation based in Vienna that gathers 56 countries. The meeting was chaired by the UK ambassador to the OSCE.Judith Majlath, CMC Austria, judith.majlath@aon.atStan Brabant, Handicap International Belgium: stan.brabant@handicap.beFrance: Ahead of the Cartagena Summit, French campaigners are urging France to provide more funding for action to clear up explosive remnants of war, including cluster munitions. Taking advantage of the parliamentary debate on the 2010 French Finance Act, HI, ICBL and Arms Transfer Observatory wrote to French MPs to request that 15 million Euros per year over five years are provided by MFA on action against ERW, and on a specific budget line. At least four parliamentarians already submitted a written question to the government on this issue. The National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) will also raise the issue with the government, and members of the National Commission for the Elimination of Antipersonnel landmines (CNEMA) were also informed about the lack of funding by France. In addition, an open letter addressed to the French Foreign Minister and signed by several organisations (Amnesty International France, HI, HRW, ICBL, Observatoire des transferts d'armements), will be published in a French daily newspaper. It reiterates the request to increase French funding and put in place a real policy on action against ERoW, especially for victim assistance, in accordance with the French government's commitments.Marion Libertucci, Handicap International France: mlibertucci@handicap-international.orgIndia: As a part of a 12 day long international campaign starting with the International Day of Peace and ending with the International Day of Non-Violence, Control Arms Foundation of India (CAFI) screened the India premiere of the award winning film "DISARM" (a film by Mary Wareham & Brian Liu) on Thursday, 1 October 2009 at Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. Several members of Indian civil society viewed the screening including lawyers, students, academics, military and civil society organisations.Binalakshmi Nepram, Control Arms Foundation India: binalakshmi@gmail.comNepal: Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal organized a Parliamentarian's Workshop on "Peace Process & Mine Action" on 22 October 2009. Honorable Minister Mr. Rakam Chemjong, Minister of Peace & Reconstruction provided a speech alongside representatives from UNMAT, UNICEF, ICRC, HI, NCBL and the Nepalese army who gave presentations on various subjects.Purna Shova Chitrakar, Nepal CBL: ncbl@mail.com.npNew Zealand: The World March for Peace and Non-violence started in New Zealand at the Mahatma Gandhi statue outside the Wellington railway station. The start date of 2 October 2009 marked the 140th anniversary of the peacemaker's birthday and is also the international day of non-violence. One-third of the 90 countries that the Peace March passes through are affected by uncleared landmines and unexploded ordnance. The peace marchers will visit a dozen states that have refused to sign the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty and the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions. Activities include marches, festivals, forums, and conferences. Events will be held in every country visited in support of the Peace March objectives to abolish nuclear weapons, reduce the number of conventional weapons, and seek "the renunciation by governments of the use of war as a means to resolve conflicts."Mary Wareham, Aotearoa New Zealand Cluster Munition Coalition: wareham@hrw.orgTe Atiawa kaumatua Sam Jackson at the Gandhi statue at the World Peace March in New Zealand. Credit: Mary WarehamPhilippines: Following their celebrations on the International Day of Peace (21 September) members of the Philippine Campaign Against Cluster Munitions (PCCM) supported the World Peace March. At the 21 September celebrations a permanent installation called "The Peace Wall" was unveiled in a historic ceremony attended by more than 400 students, teachers, NGOs, and government officials. The Philippine leg of the World Peace March was on 6 October and had representatives from the foreign marchers, the government peace agency, youth organisations as well as students and members of disarmament movements locally. More than 500 participants walked holding banners with messages on peace, nuclear disarmament and a world without wars.Jaymelyn Nikkie Uy, CMC Pilipinas: jayme.uy@gmail.comWorld Peace March celebrations in the Philippines. Credit: PCCMUSA: The USCBL participated in lobby visits during the UNGA First Committee events in New York alongside the CMC/ICBL team. The team helped petition several signatory state delegations to hasten their domestic ratification process to ensure the rapid entry into force of the CCM. They also spoke with several non-signatory states and encouraged them to attend the October 21 CMC event to learn more about the CCM. During the NGO section of the First Committee Plenary on Friday, October 23, USCBL Spokesperson Lynn Bradach delivered the CMC statement. Allison Pytlak and Zach Hudson also participated in the US Mission Briefing for NGOs given the next Friday, October 30, and they questioned US delegates about their plans for accession to the MBT and CCM. USCBL is now working with the CMC to develop a NYC working group to assist with UN mission outreach and to represent CMC at relevant UN events and CCM signings/ratifications.Zach Hudson, Handicap International: zhudson@handicapinternational.usUSA: Representatives of Religions for Peace participated in an interfaith service in New York on the morning of 2 October to mark the start of the World March for Peace and Non-Violence which commenced in New Zealand.Allison Pytlak, Religions for Peace: apytlak@religionsforpeace.orgUSA: Following Obama being rewarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nuclear disarmament and diplomatic efforts, the USCBL and Handicap International issued press releases to urge Obama to sign the MBT and CCMZach Hudson, Handicap International: zhudson@handicapinternational.us****4. TAKE ACTIONBali conference: 16-17 November 2009The Regional Conference on the Promotion and Universalisation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions will be held in Bali, Indonesia on 16-17 November. Campaigners can take action to encourage relevant countries to participate in the meeting.* Registered: Afghanistan, Australia, Burma (non-signatory), Indonesia, Fiji, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia (non-signatory), Mongolia (non-signatory), New Zealand, Palau, Philippines, Sri Lanka (non-signatory), Thailand (non-signatory)* Not yet registered: Bangladesh (non-signatory), Brunei Darussalam (non-signatory), Cambodia (non-signatory), Nepal (non-signatory), Pakistan (non-signatory), Papua New, Guinea (non-signatory), Samoa, Singapore (non-signatory), Timor Leste (non-signatory), Vietnam (non-signatory)Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM): 23-24 November 2009The UK will be promoting the CCM to Commonwealth states in advance of and during the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Trinidad and Tobago from 23-26 November. The UK will be urging all Commonwealth states to support a political declaration specifically on the Convention on Cluster Munitions.* Action: Urge commonwealth countries to support the UK by actively promoting the CCM to non-signatory states in advance of and during the CHOGMStop Explosive Investments CampaignThe CMC launched the "Stop Explosive Investments" disinvestment campaign on Thursday 29 October 2009. Find out if your bank is investing in cluster munition producers! Campaigners can take action by utilizing the campaign toolkit which is available on the disinvestment campaign website www.stopexplosiveinvestments.org. The toolkit includes a disinvestment campaign guide, a campaign leaflet, template letters and the campaign logo.Kimberly Brown, CMC staff: Kimberly@stopclustermunitions.orgUrge your government to sign and/or ratify the Convention on Cluster MunitionsSo far 101 governments have signed the Convention and 23 countries have ratified it. Which seven countries will make it into the visionary group of 30 to bring the treaty into force? Make sure your government signs and ratifies the Convention on Cluster Munitions!Check out the resources section of the CMC website for template letters, action cards, posters and other campaigning tools: http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/campaign-resources/****5. UPCOMING EVENTSNovember 20099-10 November - Geneva, SwitzerlandThird Conference of the High Contracting Parties to CCW Protocol V11 November - Geneva, SwitzerlandEleventh Annual Conference of the High Contracting Parties to CCW Amended Protocol II,12 November - Geneva, SwitzerlandLaunch of eleventh annual Landmine Monitor Report. Available from 12 November at lm.icbl.org/lm/200912-13 November - Geneva, Switzerland2009 Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW)16 - 17 November - Bali, Indonesia Regional Conference on the Promotion and Universalisation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions30 Nov - 4 Dec - Cartagena, Colombia Mine Ban Treaty Second Review Conference,December 20092 December - Cartagena, Colombia Side events at Cartagena conference: Briefing on the Convention on Cluster Munitions (13:00-15:00) and Quad Rugby Match (18:30-22:00)3 December1 year anniversary of the Convention on Cluster Munitions Signing Conference3 December International Day of Persons with Disabilities3 December 12th anniversary of signing of the Ottawa Treaty (Mine Ban Treaty)April 201026-28 April - Viña del Mar, ChileGlobal Preparatory Meeting,Cluster Munition Coalition | 2nd Floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London, SE17TP, UKinfo@stopclustermunitions.org | www.stopclustermunitions.org
