Cluster bomb ban treaty: Move in right direction

The landmark global treaty banning cluster bombs came into force on August 1 after being adopted by 108 states, of which 38 have ratified it. The Convention on Cluster Munitions bans the stockpiling, use and transfer of virtually all existing cluster bombs, and also provides for the clearing up of unexploded munitions. However, among the notable absences from the list of states signed up to the treaty, include China, Russia, Israel, and the US some of the biggest stockpilers of cluster bombs. The US administration insists cluster munitions are "legitimate weapons" with "clear military utility in combat". It argues that cluster munitions actually cause less harm to civilians than some other weapons.

One fails to agree with this argument as cluster munitions are still killing and maiming innocent people around the world after wars or conflicts have ended in those parts. It has been clearly established that 98 per cent of cluster bomb victims are civilians, and 27 per cent are children. According to some estimates, more than 100,000 people have been killed and more than 200,000 people have been injured from contact with cluster munitions since the Vietnam War ended. Israel, another country that has not signed the treaty, dropped four million bomblets onto southern Lebanon in three days during its war with Hizbullah in 2006.

In fact, it would not be wrong to say that this outrageous act of Israel provided the fillip to the campaign for banning cluster bombs. "Lebanon was the turning point," says Jeff Abramson from the Arms Control Association, an advocacy group based in Washington. "It was the international outcry in 2006 that prompted the Norwegian government to start the negotiation process that has led to this new treaty."

However, despite many countries not signing it, the positive side of the enforcement of the treaty is that an international view or perception has been formed against the use of cluster munitions and in future it will deter many from using them in conflicts. Increasing the number of countries signing the treaty has created a global norm by "stigmatising" cluster bombs, further reinforcing "the world's collective revulsion at these abhorrent weapons, but also the power of collaboration among governments, civil society and the United Nations to change attitudes and policies on a threat faced by all humankind," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, calling the treaty as a major advance for the global disarmament and humanitarian agendas.

This international perception about cluster bombs will force countries that have stockpiles of these weapons to think twice before using them. A good example is the Ottawa Treaty on anti-personnel landmines which came into force in 1999. Although the United States did not sign the treaty, its forces did not use them in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The other way to curb the use of cluster bombs is to block the finance to companies involved in manufacturing of cluster munitions. An international network of pro-ban NGOs is already carrying out a campaign for restricting loans to and investments in such companies. Many countries, including Belgium and Ireland have already passed such legislation.