2008-12-04 13:32:39

World Council of Churches welcomes ban on cluster bombs


(December 4, 2008) The Convention on Cluster Munitions has been welcomed as a "humane and historic victory" by the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev Dr Samuel Kobia. Commenting on the signing of the convention in Oslo, Norway yesterday, Kobia congratulated the more than 100 signatory countries and reiterated the need for states that have not yet done so ­ including the United States, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and Zimbabwe ­ to "sign and support this timely arms control and humanitarian initiative". The statement at the end of the convention says that it offers its congratulations to the more than 100 countries in Oslo to sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the coalition of more than 300 civil society groups including churches that have helped the international community move to resolve a long-standing problem. The Convention on Cluster Munitions is a humane and historic victory. It sets new standards for disarmament treaties and international humanitarian law by banning a whole class of weapon and requiring specific assistance for the victims of the weapon. When implemented, it will reduce new casualties as old unexploded weapons are cleared and make civilians less vulnerable in future conflict zones where this random killer is not used. To sign such a treaty on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is highly appropriate, the statement added. Every government that implements this Oslo treaty puts constructive pressure on states that have not signed the agreement and reiterate the need for those states to sign and support this timely arms control and humanitarian initiative. The Convention commended the many groups including church-related organizations that have supported the clearance of millions of left-over explosives in the 30 countries and called on other countries to do the same.







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