JRS musters support for cluster bomb ban treaty

(April 22, 2010) In Thailand, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is calling for people to support a treaty banning cluster munitions, ahead of it becoming international law on Aug. 1. As of April 21, a total of 30 states had ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions, allowing it to become binding under international law. The convention bans the use, production and transfer of cluster munitions, sets strict deadlines for stockpile destruction and clearance of contaminated land, and obliges states to support survivors and affected communities.
The JRS has been a major campaigner in support of the treaty. It is now campaigning to have more countries sign and ratify the treaty, as well as for people to celebrate the Aug. 1 event, by holding prayers or meditation sessions in places of worship that day, according to campaign material from JRS Asia Pacific. It is also calling for people and groups to organize drumming and dance sessions beginning April 23, the start of the 100-day countdown to Aug. 1. In the Asia-Pacific region, only Japan and Laos have signed and ratified the treaty.
Cluster bombs dropped from aircraft, delivered my rockets or shot from artillery pieces release numerous small bomblets over a large area. Many of these fail to explode on impact and remain a fatal hazard long after a conflict ends.