A world free of cluster bombs

What is a cluster bomb?

Cluster bombs are large weapons which are deployed from the air and from the ground and release dozens or hundreds of smaller bombs, often called “bomblets”. They cause two major humanitarian problems and risks to civilians. First, their widespread dispersal means they cannot distinguish between military targets and civilians so the humanitarian impact can be extreme, especially when the weapon is used in or near populated areas. Second, many submunitions fail to detonate on impact and essentially become landmines killing and maiming people long after a conflict has ended.

The Cluster Munitions Convention

In May 2008 the text for a treaty banning cluster munitions was concluded in Dublin, Ireland, at a meeting of 111 states. 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. It is the most significant treaty of its kind since the ban on anti-personnel landmines in 1997. Like the Mine Ban Treaty, this new treaty is likely to have a powerful effect in stigmatising cluster bombs, so that even those countries that do not sign the treaty will not be able to use them without being subject to international condemnation. The Peace Organisation of Australia urges the Australian Government to sign and ratify the Cluster Munitions Convention when it opens for signature in December.

The Peace Organisation of Australia was critical of the role that the Australian Government, under prime minister John Howard and Kevin Rudd, played in the negotiating process. Australia was one of a small number of countries which consistently put military concerns ahead of humanitarian needs, and the result was a weakened treaty. Australia led a pact of nations in successfully arguing that parties should have the freedom to assist non-parties in the use of their cluster bombs. This means Australia will be able to participate in cluster-bomb raids carried out by the United States, which has said it won’t sign the treaty.

Australia also fought hard for a weak definition of cluster munition so that it wouldn’t have to surrender its newly acquired arsenal of SMArt 155 artillery shells, which are cluster munitions by any ordinary definition of the term. Australia’s contribution is best characterised as obstructionist. There is no doubt that the cluster bomb treaty will save countless lives, but it could have saved many more. And Australia is partly to blame for this.