Ban against cluster munitions – efforts continue in Lima

This week, Peru will host the second meeting in the process to establish an international ban against certain types of cluster munitions.

The meeting in Lima is a follow-up to the meeting in Oslo this February, at which 46 countries committed themselves to developing a treaty to ban cluster munitions that have unacceptable humanitarian consequences before the end of 2008. More states are expected to join the process during the Lima meeting.

“The efforts to achieve a ban against cluster munitions are on track, and we are hoping to make further progress in Lima,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre. “This is important if we are to achieve our ambitious target of an international ban against this type of weapon. 

“It is important to move forwards towards this goal. New reports show that the humanitarian problems caused by cluster munitions are more serious than previously thought,” Mr Støre added. 

The Lima meeting is a working meeting, at which individual countries, the UN and humanitarian organisations will discuss drafts for a treaty to prohibit cluster munitions that have unacceptable humanitarian consequences. More than 40 of the countries invited have cluster munitions in their possession, and several produce this type of weapon. A number of countries that are affected by cluster munitions are also taking part in the meeting. 

Norway, in cooperation with a core group of countries, is spearheading efforts to prohibit cluster munitions. Humanitarian organisations such as the Cluster Munition Coalition and the International Red Cross, together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), are playing an important part in this work.