Civil society urges India to suppot treaty banning cluster bombs

NewDelhi, 31 October 08: The Convention on Cluster Munitions was adopted by 107 countries on 30 May 2008, at a historic diplomatic conference in Dublin, Ireland. The treaty bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions and places obligations on countries to clear affected areas, assist victims and destroy stockpiles. The signing of the treaty will take place in Oslo, Norway on 3 December 2008. Worldwide a total of over 47 governments have already committed to sign the treaty. With 5 weeks remaining until the international treaty banning cluster bombs is opened for signature in Norway, Control Arms Foundation of India and several civil society representatives are calling on Government of India to announce its support for the process.

In Delhi, the Global Week of Action was commemorated today at New Delhi’s India International Centre with a public meeting which was inaugurated by Mr Kirip Chaliha, Member of Parliament. Mr Chaliha stated, “Cluster bomb is a mutilating weapon of war which has lead to human tragedies. And we as members of Indian parliament will work towards a total ban on cluster bombs”.  Lt General(retd) Dr BS Malik, President, Control Arms Foundation of India also spoke that the time has put human security first and that military might does not give security to citizens anymore”.

According to Christpher Harland of the ICRC, “The ICRC is deeply concerned about the use of cluster munitions. Because of their humanitarian impact on civilian population, we seek to eliminate the suffering caused by it. The adoption of the Convention on Cluster Munition is a monumental step and efforts should be made by all governments to come to Oslo to ratify it in December 2008”. Colonel (retd.) Anil Bhat, former spokesperson of the Defence Ministry, Government of India added, “Enough blood has flowed in India by the use of conventional weapons and India has a strong case for banning cluster munitions”.

Wing Commander(retd)Bakshi stated, “India and other countries who have not signed are of the opinion that clusters munitions are highly useful for their defence and these countries that are also the largest producers of the same. As India and USA goes for military cooperation and training, we should call upon both the governments that they should not use cluster munitions for training purposes at all.”

Several NGOs, lawyers, women’s groups, media, students and various section of the Indian civil society participated in the event. A film called “A Time to Act” by ICRC was also screened. The day ended with a human chain formation at Parliament Street and a “Lie Down” action at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, a historic place where protests are held. Participants distributed pamphlets to the public on cluster bombs.

Around 10 Indian members of parliament and over 1000 Indian citizens signed the people’s petition calling upon government of India to support the global ban on cluster munitions.