Cluster bombs have killed and injured thousands of civilians during the last 40 years and continue to do so today. 94 countries, including The Netherlands, signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) in Oslo on the 3rd and 4th of December 2008. Together with a global coalition of NGOs (united in the Cluster Munition Coalition), IKV Pax Christi has worked for many years to come to this international convention. The CCM categorically prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions. Reports of the suffering that cluster munitions has caused among civilian populations alarmed people and drew international opinion to the issue. Although the Convention is a great result, this stage is even more important. The interpretation and implementation of the Convention are crucial to end the humanitarian suffering caused by cluster munitions.
IKV Pax Christi is committed to encourage countries that have not signed the treaty yet to do so in the near future. IKV Pax Christi also encourages the Netherlands to interpret and implement the Convention in the strongest way possible and to ensure full compliance.
More than 98% of the victims of cluster munitions are civilians. Civilians who not only during the conflict, but also long afterwards can become victims by submunitions that are left behind. Unexploded submunitions make victims till this day.
CMC Video 'Banning cluster bombs: the campaign and the treaty'
People's Treaty
Cluster munitions cause unacceptable suffering among civilians, during conflict and many years thereafter. IKV Pax Christi considers the use of these weapons morally unacceptable and supports the new treaty that prohibits the use, stockpiling, transfer and production of cluster munitions. States that sign the treaty commit not only to ban cluster munitions, but also to clear areas with cluster munitions and to provide assistance to victims and their immediate surroundings.
By signing the People's Treaty you can encourage states to fulfill their obligations.
