By KUNA
Geneva : The Global Day of Action to Ban Cluster Bombs is a designated day of action to highlight 40 years of civilian deaths and injuries caused by cluster bombs on April 19th. Citizens around the world will use this day to call on governments to take action now and make history.
The Global Day of Action takes place 1 month before the Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions.
At the Dublin Conference (19 – 30 May 2008) governments from across the world will meet to negotiate the most significant disarmament treaty in more than a decade: a treaty that will bring about a ban on cluster bombs, rapid clearance of contaminated land and an increase in the vital assistance to those affected by cluster bombs.
The Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) called today on governments to rise to this historic opportunity by participating in the Dublin Conference and delivering a strong and comprehensive treaty that will make a real difference to people’s lives.
At least 86 countries have so far committed themselves to concluding this year an international prohibition on cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. This global ban will be the product of the Oslo Process, which began in Norway in February 2007 and will culminate in a diplomatic negotiation in Dublin from 19-30 May.
Human Rights Watch’s Steve Goose and Co-Chair of the CMC, told reporters today, that in Lebanon 200 civilians were killed after the South Lebanon population returned back from Cluster Munitions following the Israeli attack of the summer of 2006. He added that in Iraq in 2003 hundreds died during the attack because Cluster Munitions, and hundreds after the attack. In Kosovo in 1991, he explained that between 90 and 250 civilians were killed by Cluster Munitions during the attack. Coordinator of the Cluster Munition Coalition Thomas Nash said that the world is about to witness the most important historic arms ban treaty that will save millions of lives now and in the future.