Cluster Bomb Ban Treaty Advances Without U.S.

Good news! Meeting in Dublin in late May, representatives of 111 nations agreed to a global treaty banning cluster bombs.

This treaty demonstrates the emerging international consensus that cluster bombs, which cover an area the size of several football fields with deadly shrapnel and leave behind minefields of unexploded submunitions, should not be used under any circumstances. The treaty not only requires countries to stop using cluster bombs; it requires them to destroy existing stockpiles and to help communities affected by the weapons.

2008 Cluster Bomb Olympics

The U.S. government did not participate in the negotiations, asserting that these Cold War–era weapons still have important military uses, and it exerted tremendous pressure on allies to weaken the treaty.

Fortunately, the United States was not entirely absent. Sen. Patrick Leahy (VT) attended the negotiations in Dublin on behalf of the nearly one-quarter of the Senate that has cosponsored the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act (S. 594/H.R. 1755). FCNL encouraged Leahy to attend.

This legislation would prohibit the use of cluster bombs in civilian-populated areas. Support in Congress has been growing for a ban on cluster munitions.

FCNL coordinates the U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines, and we have led efforts for a ban on cluster bombs. Through lobby visits, press events, and focused work in key states, we have helped increase the number of Senate cosponsors of this bill from 12 to 21 in the past nine months. Please urge your members of Congress to cosponsor S. 594/H.R. 1755.

Two days before treaty negotiations began, FCNL organized the Cluster Bomb Olympics in front of the White House. To promote cluster bomb awareness, and to introduce some ironic lightness in this heavy topic, participants and their children played games such as hopscotch minefield and bocce bomb and heard Ralph Nader and speakers from cluster bomb–affected countries urge action to ban cluster bombs.

The next step: engaging with candidates for public office. Candidates need to know that their constituents oppose cluster bombs, or they may not feel the urgency to act once elected. Between now and November 4, ask the candidates for president, House, and Senate to support legislation banning the use of cluster bombs in areas populated by civilians. you can help create the political space for the next administration to support the global cluster bomb ban.