01 August 2017

The Convention on Cluster Munitions turns 7!

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Cluster Munition Coalition delegation at the 6th Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, 2016 © CMC

The Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) and its members from around the world are celebrating on 1 August the seventh anniversary of the Convention on Cluster Munitions’ entry into force, and taking action to call on states to remain committed to supporting its universalization and full implementation until the world is free from the plague of cluster munitions.

Celebrations are being held in the run up to the Seventh Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 4 to 6 September 2017.

Since its entry into force on 1 August 2010, the Convention has achieved important progress, making a real difference on the ground. This is demonstrated by:

  • the strengthening of the global stigma against cluster munitions;
  • the growing adherence to the goals of the life-saving global ban, with 119 states that have joined the Convention to date, of which 102 are States Parties;
  • the destruction of millions of submunitions by States Parties;
  • the completion of clearance by 8 countries that used to be affected by these horrific weapons; and
  • advances in the provision of victim assistance services.

The Cluster Munition Monitor 2017 will be released on 31st August and will provide the latest data on achievements under the Convention.

While significant progress has been made in preventing further tragedies, protecting civilians, and providing adequate assistance to survivors, cluster munitions continue to be used in Syria and Yemen, thus posing an immediate threat and causing harm to civilians. The armed coalition led by Saudi Arabia has been using cluster munitions in Yemen for over two years, while cluster munitions have been used by the Syrian government since 2012 and by the Syrian-Russian joint military operation in Syria since early 2016.

Given the grave consequences these indiscriminate weapons have on civilian populations, their use is completely unacceptable. The CMC encourages the international community to seize the opportunity offered by the seventh anniversary of the Convention in order to take a strong stance in condemning any use of cluster munitions, anywhere, and by any actor.