Cluster bombs are increasingly being used again in current conflicts. This is according to the new Cluster Bomb Monitor 2024, released on September 9th. Their use in countries such as Ukraine, Myanmar or Syria not only leads to numerous direct victims, but also to long-term contamination of vital areas with unexploded bombs and thus also to many indirect victims. In addition, the aid organization Handicap International (HI) warns of the increasing weakening of the cluster bomb ban treaty, among other things since Lithuania announced in July that it would be leaving the treaty.
The aid organization Handicap International (HI) is concerned about the increasing weakening of the cluster bomb ban treaty. Lithuania, a signatory state, decided in July to leave the so-called Oslo Convention. Additionally, actions by countries that do not ban cluster munitions endanger civilian populations. Cluster bombs were used in three countries, including Myanmar and Syria. Russia is massively using cluster munitions in Ukraine. In addition, the United States has been supplying cluster munitions to Ukraine for a year, which also uses them.
Contracting state Germany does not prevent the transport of cluster munitions
The ARD reported in July that US cluster munitions stored at a US military base in Germany were moved to Ukraine for use in the war against Russia and transported through Germany. This can be seen as support for acts prohibited by the Convention. At least the German government is obviously not stopping its partner USA from such actions, which is what the convention actually expects from a contracting state.
The Cluster Bomb Ban Treaty prohibits the use, production, storage and transfer of cluster munitions and sets out precise rules for implementation. This also includes states committing themselves to a global ban and actively supporting affected countries and people.
States parties must defend values
“In its 14 years of existence, the Oslo Convention has contributed an incredible amount to protecting civilians: two thirds of the world’s countries have so far adhered to the values of the Convention; the number of manufacturers of this weapon has fallen by half, all stocks of the States parties have been destroyed, survivors are being supported. The 12th meeting of the states parties will take place at the United Nations in Geneva after Lithuania’s decision to withdraw. They must defend their values Condemn any use of cluster munitions by any actor and the resulting long-term humanitarian consequences. Every civilian casualty is a scandal“, says Dr. Eva Maria Fischer, head of the political department at Handicap International Germany
Cluster Bomb Monitor 2023: High unreported figures – victims in nine countries
The new cluster bomb monitor 2024 covers the 2023 reporting period and will be supplemented by figures from 2024 if reliable data is available. The Monitor reports that at least 219 people have been killed or injured by cluster munitions in 9 countries. Given the difficulty of collecting data in conflict areas, it is assumed that the number of unreported cases is high. And the number of indirect victims due to the contamination of vital areas is significantly higher.
Further information:
The most important ones Results of the 2024 Cluster Bomb Monitor
The Cluster Bomb Monitor Fact Sheet
The cluster munition ban treaty
Further information on the page: www.streubomben.de
Laos is one of the countries most contaminated with cluster munitions
To this day, the civilian population in Laos suffers from the consequences of the conflict in the 1960s. Millions of unexploded munitions, including many cluster bomb submunitions, lie in villages, fields and forests. Daily life and farming are often still dangerous. Without clearing the explosive remains, security and economic recovery are not possible. Read more about the Experiences from On Keo58 years old, rubber farmer from Thabuk village in Khoua district in Laos.