We have seen how bad the damage is when cluster bombs are used – Laos and Lebanon stand at both ends of the chronology of use, with a striking pattern of humanitarian and development harm. But with use only in 31 countries and territories so far, the problem is limited compared to what it could be if the billions – literally billions – of cluster submunitions were ever to be used.

It is for this reason that those countries that have known all too many conflicts, in Latin America and Africa for example, have been the strongest supporters of a comprehensive ban now, before the weapon has a chance to proliferate throughout their regions where it would wreak havoc equal to or even worse than that of landmines in the past.

In order to ensure that the treaty becomes a new international standard recognised by all, like the treaty to ban anti-personnel mines, Handicap International and the Cluster Munition Coalition are continuing in their advocacy efforts to get a maximum number of states to join. Handicap International activities are focussing on universalisation, funding for clearance, victim assistance, edisinvestment.

The Convention means that no cluster munitions are ever used again by States that sign the treaty, but the only way to be sure is to destroy each and every cluster munition. This preventive action will systematically reduce the potential for future victims. Indeed the whole nature of the cluster munition ban process is in large part preventive. The Vientiane Declaration outlines actions for the signatories for the next five years including identification of affected areas, the development of an action plan, and the launching of initial steps towards remediating the impact of cluster munitions.

Countries must quickly implement strong national measures to apply the treaty’s obligations and must provide immediate assistance with clearing submunitions, preventing accidents and assisting victims.

Handicap International and the CMC are particularly working with the states that did not participate in the Oslo Process and which use, produce and stockpile cluster munitions, notably the U.S., China, Russia, India, Pakistan and Israel.

The States that have joined the treaty must promote it among their partners and contribute fully to its implementation.

Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, India, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Morocco, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Niue, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States, Ukraine, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

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