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Working for a world free of landmines and cluster munitions                                    View this email in your browser

25 March, 2015                                                                                              
  

Paraguay Ratifies the Convention on Cluster Munitions

 

The Republic of Paraguay became the 90th State Party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, having deposited its instrument of ratification with the Secretary-General of the United Nations on 12 March 2015. The Convention will enter into force for Paraguay on 1 September 2015.

The Cluster Munition Coalition congratulates Paraguay on its ratification and encourages it to actively promote the universalization of the Convention by inviting all states not party to join the Convention, in particular Latin American and Caribbean countries that have not yet renounced cluster munitions. Read more.

    Colombia and FARC Agree on Mine Clearance Deal

A groundbreaking agreement to increase safety and security

After years of negotiation, a groundbreaking agreement has been reached between the Government of Colombia and the non-state armed group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to get rid of landmines.

This is a significant achievement, for a country that is severely affected by the scourge of landmines and explosive remnants of war. Over 11,000 Colombians have been killed or injured by mines and explosive remnants of war. Year after year, Colombia is sadly recognized as one of the three states where the most people die or are injured by landmine blasts. As many as 30 of the 32 departments of Colombia may have mine contamination. Millions of dollars are being spent each year to remove and destroy mines. The FARC has manufactured and used antipersonnel mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Colombia. Read more.
Condemn the Use of Cluster Munitions in Libya and Ukraine
Cluster Munitions Used in Ukraine

Ukraine Government forces and Russian-backed rebel forces used cluster munitions in the east of Ukraine in January and February 2015, according to in-depth research by Human Rights Watch made public on 19 March 2015. At least 13 civilians were killed, including two children.

The Cluster Munition Coalition calls upon Ukraine and Russia to conduct investigations and to publicly renounce the use of the weapon by joining the Convention on Cluster Munitions.  Read more
New Cluster Munition Use in Libya
 
Investigation results published on 15 March 2015 by CMC member Human Rights Watch confirm there is credible evidence that cluster munitions were used in Libya.

The Cluster Munition Coalition calls on Libyan authorities to investigate, to report publicly on their findings, and to ensure Libyan forces do not use the internationally banned weapon. Read more
 
Canada Ratifies the Convention on Cluster Munitions
 

Canada became the 91st State Party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions on 16 March, 2015. 
Congratulations, félicitations! The instrument of ratification was deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the Convention will enter into force for Canada on 1 September 2015. Canada already completed the destruction of its stockpiles of the weapon in June 2014. 

While Canada's ratification is excellent news, there have been concerns about the legislation that translates the Convention's obligations into national law. Read more.
Croatia: A Champion of the Convention on Cluster Munitions
 
Croatia, which is host of the First Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), to be held in September 2015 in Dubrovnik, has consistently been a strong supporter of the CCM.

During 2012-2013, Croatia co-coordinated treaty work on stockpile destruction.  For many consecutive years, Croatia has held regional workshops on universalization and implementation of the CCM.

CMC members in the region such as Landmine Survivor Initiatives in Sarajevo, Mine-AID in Zagreb, and Assistance Advocacy Access/Serbia have been joining efforts to support cluster munition and other armed conflict survivors.Read more.
ICBL Members Marked the 16th Anniversary of the Mine Ban Treaty



March 1st marks the sixteenth anniversary of the Mine Ban Treaty entry into force. This year, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines campaigners celebrated the 16th anniversary around the world by undertaking campaign actions to promote the implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty and in some countries to promote norm and universalisation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Campaigners in Turkey,

Campaigners in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Canada, Colombia, Iraq, Italy, Serbia, Sri-Lanka, Turkey, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, U.S. and many more countries have marked the day.  

Read the full report here.

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