The work of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, and newer uses of cluster bombs in the Gulf War, Kosovo, Chechnya, Afghanistan and Iraq provided a long sad litany of stories from survivors. Non-governmental organizations responded to the needs of affected communities with clearance, education and victim assistance. They compiled compelling reports on cluster bomb use, the inaccuracy of the technology and the number of civilian casualties. But it was not until the aftermath of Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon (summer 2006), that governments seriously began talking about banning these weapons.
The first meeting of the Oslo Process attracted 48 governments in February of 2007. After nearly two years of work a comprehensive ban treaty was drafted and prepared for signature. The December, 2008 gathering in Oslo was a time of celebration and triumph for the thousands of communities around the world that still suffer the long-term impact of these weapons.
The Oslo Treaty bans the production, use, sale and stockpiling of cluster munitions, and establishes strong international norms for clearance and victim assistance. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the Oslo Treaty process was the strong involvement of cluster bomb survivors. The survivors came to the treaty discussions on their wheel chairs and crutches, missing arms, legs, and eyes, but speaking with strong clear voices about the need for a comprehensive ban on these weapons. And government officials listened. Perhaps nowhere was this more dramatic than with Afghanistan, whose government delegate arrived in Oslo without authorization to sign the treaty. However, when confronted with Soraj Habib, a 17-year old double amputee from a US cluster bomb, the delegate quickly called his president and received authorization to sign.
The Lao government, representing the most heavily cluster-bombed place on earth, was a strong participant in the process and one of the early signers. At a meeting in Dublin, Ireland, Mr. Bounkeut, Vice Foreign Minister of Laos, noted that not just cluster bombs, but war itself should be banned.
The United States, principal producer and user of cluster bombs, was not among the signers of the Cluster Bomb Ban Treaty. We cannot rest until the US signature appears on the Treaty.
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