BAN ON CLUSTER MUNITIONS: THE SHOLD OF 30 RATIFICATIONS REACHED, BAN WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE IN AUGUST 2010

Montréal February 17, 2010. The threshold of 30 ratifications of the Oslo Treaty banning cluster munitions was reached on Tuesday 16th February. The Treaty will enter into force on 1st August 2010, becoming binding international law and obligating States Parties to the treaty to ban the use, production, transfer, and stockpile of these weapons that have caused devastation in the communities of innocent civilians. Sates Parties will also be required to assist cluster munitions survivors.

Yesterday, Burkina Faso and Moldova deposited their instruments to ratify the treaty banning cluster bombs with the UN in New York. By doing so, they confirmed that their parliaments have approved the treaty and agreed to integrate their requirements into national legislation. Burkina Faso and Moldova have now joined the other 28 countries that have already ratified the Convention , including many stockpiling countries (such as France, Germany, Belgium, Japan and Slovenia) and affected countries (such as Albania, Croatia and Zambia).

Ban Ki-Moon, UN's Secretary-General, yesterday welcomed the speed with which teh threshold of 30 ratifications* was reached as evidence of "the world's collective" revulsion at the impact of these terrible weapons". The Treaty will enter into force on August 1, 2010 (fisrt day of the sixth month following teh 30th ratification). From that date, States Parties must immediately cease all use, production and transfer of cluster bombs. they will have a period of eight years for destruction of stockpiles and ten years for clearing territory contaminated by unexploded cluster bombs. States must also identify ways to assist cluster bomb victims.

Upon the entry into force, the Oslo Treaty will affect the practices of all states, as any use, production or transfer of cluster bombs will be stigmatized by the international community. Like the Treaty banning landmines which came into force in 1999, the treaty against cluster bombs will prevail in the coming years as a strong international standard.

Marion Libertucci, head of advocacy against landmines and cluster bombs for Handicap International, stresses the importance of this step and the need to stay engaged: "74 States which signed the Oslo Treaty have not ratified. We urge them to do so as soon as possible to confirm their commitment. Moreover, the attention of the international community will also remain focused on the non-signatory States, including the United Sates. We are critical of the position of these states-a position which is no longer tenable either military or diplomatically. They must therefore change their position without delay."

The first meeting of States Parties to the Treaty, to be held in Laos in November 2010, will provide an opportunity to verify that States have taken all the necessary steps to meet their commitments. At this conference the issue of victim assistance should be central, especially given that Lao-who is organizing teh conference- is the most affected cluster bomb country in the world. Non-governmental organisations, including Handicap International, will ensure that survivor assistance is kept at the forefront of the discussions.

"My country joined the ban treaty because our people have suffered the impact of these deadly 'bombies' for decades, testifies Phong, a survivor of submunitions campaigning with Handicap International. "We're looking forward to welcoming government representatives and campaigners to Ventiane later this year to show the world the immense and shocking legacy of cluster bomb use here".

*Albania, Austria, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Holy See, Ireland, Japan, Laos PRD, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Malta, Mexiso, Moldova, Montenegro, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, New Zealand, Republic of San Marino, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Spain, Uruguay, Zambia.