Action to Ban Cluster Bombs
Cluster bombs scatter hundreds of small-but-lethal bomblets over a wide area, many of which don’t explode on impact and so remain deadly to the civilian population, even years after the war has finished. Children can pick up unexploded bomblets thinking that they are toys and then are severely injured or even killed as a result.
Earlier this week, Amnesty, Oxfam and Landmine Action released a poll revealing that more than six out of ten people across Britain believe the UK Government would no longer be a force for good if they didn’t support a cluster bombs ban, and that nearly eight out of ten people agree that we should push for a ban on the use of these weapons.
From 19 – 30 May world leaders from about 100 countries – including the UK – will meet to finalise the text of an international cluster munitions treaty to be signed in November. This treaty will result in the banning of the use of cluster bombs, and could be as significant as the signing of the Ottawa Treaty that brought about the ban of landmines in 2007.
However, as it stands at the moment, the UK Government is calling for a ban but is holding out for some exemptions to allow them to retain some cluster munitions in their arsenal.
Amnesty International is campaigning to stop the UK government undermining the moves towards a total ban on the use of cluster bombs, and is pushing for the UK Government to sign up to a total ban – no exemptions.
Find out about what action you can take on Amnesty’s website.
Replying is good.