CAMBODIA CAMPAIGN TO BAN LANDMINE
Embargoed until 5 November 2007
Press release: Cluster Munition Coalition
Global public unites in day of action to ban cluster bombs
(Phnom Penh CAMBODIA, 5 November 2007.) Public actions are taking place in more than 20 countries around the world today, from Austria to Zambia, as civil society calls on all governments to adopt immediate national moratoria on the use, trade and production of cluster munitions and participate in diplomatic discussions on a new international ban treaty in Vienna in one month’s time.
In Cambodia King Norodom Sihamony said “ On Behalf of my beloved People of Cambodia I would like to make an appeal to all countries of the world, which did not yet join the call for the international ban on cluster munitions to support the “Oslo Process” “.
Our Royal Government’s desire is to work with Norway and other like minded states in seeking a legally binding agreement on cluster munitions. It is important that in addition to the use, production, storage and transfer of cluster munitions, a proposed treaty will have to regulate “victim assistance, land clearing, and sensitization to risk”.
Ny Nhar of the Cambodian campaign said “We are taking this action today in Siem Reap Poipet Banteay Prieb Battambang Phnom Penh. to call all governments to go to the Oslo Process treaty talks in Vienna next month to support strongly a comprehensive ban.”
The Cambodian government declared its support on 12 March, 2007, for the Oslo Process.
“The number of countries taking part in the first ever global day of action to ban cluster bombs is a sign of the public’s commitment to achieving a new treaty. It is the public, particularly in countries affected by these horrendous weapons, that is driving this process, we will not stop until a ban treaty is signed next year,” said Thomas Nash, Coordinator of the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC).
Today also marks an unprecedented joint appeal by the United Nations, CMC, and UK-based Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund in support of the ban treaty with an advertising campaign featured in several newspapers worldwide. The UN is calling on all countries to freeze the use and trade of cluster bombs and negotiate an international prohibition on cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. The Cluster Munition Coalition urges all governments to act on this appeal.
The advert shows that as a precaution certain toys have been removed from the market because of the risk they pose to children. In some cases they have not caused any injury, but preventative measures have been taken. This is in stark contrast to cluster bombs, which are known to have killed and injured thousands of children worldwide – largely a result of their colourful and intriguing shapes which attract children -- but are still available on the international market for potential future use.
Although public opposition to cluster munitions has existed for over 30 years, global public awareness intensified in 2006 after Belgium banned the weapon, Norway introduced a moratorium and the use of the weapon in southern Lebanon demonstrated beyond any doubt the urgent need for an international ban. As the international non-governmental Cluster Munition Coalition stepped up its calls for a new treaty, many states responded by joining a Norwegian-led initiative to conclude a new ban treaty in 2008, a process now known as the Oslo Process.
Interviews: Thomas Nash, CMC Coordinator
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