14 April 2009

RUSSIA-GEORGIA: NEW REPORT DETAILS USE OF CLUSTER BOMBS IN 2008 WAR

Unacceptable harm caused to civilians reinforces need for a global ban of the weapon On April 14th, Human Rights Watch, one of the Cluster Munition Coalition co-chairs, launched a report titled "A Dying Practice: Use of Cluster Munitions by Russia and Georgia in August 2008". The 80-page report documents dozens of civilian deaths and injuries from the use of cluster munitions by both Russia and Georgia in their conflict over South Ossetia.Human Rights Watch's data confirm that both sides have used cluster bombs in populated areas killing 16 civilians and injuring 54 more in Georgia south of the South Ossetian administrative border. Unexploded submunitions continue to pose threats today and interfere with the lives and livelihoods of the population.Neither Russia nor Georgia has signed the convention comprehensively banning cluster munitions. The Cluster Munition Coalition urges them and other countries that have not signed yet to review their position in light of the distressing information presented in this latest report. By rallying even more nations around the global ban of the weapon, there is a real opportunity to make the Russia-Georgia conflict the last one in which cluster bombs were used.To read the full report: click hereTo read the Human Rights Watch press release: click here