OPPOSITION TO CLUSTER MUNITIONS
January 31, 2008 10:41 AM
I am currently challenging the Government over the import and export of Cluster munitions. The dispersed nature of their attack and the risk from unexploded bomblets mean that they have very serious humanitarian implications. In conflict zones around the world alarming numbers of civilians are killed, injured or maimed in the aftermath of fighting by unexploded munitions, with children particularly at risk.
Although the Government banned 'dumb' cluster munitions in 2007 under concerted pressure, this does not alter the fact that all cluster munitions are indiscriminate by nature and I remain concerned about the significant failure rate of the 'smart' munitions still in use.
Although their use is not specifically covered by any international legal instrument, the general tenets of international humanitarian law aimed at protecting civilians do apply.
There is a general trend towards challenging the use, export and stockpiling of all cluster munitions and my party especially welcome moves within the international community, officially initiated by the Oslo Declaration and related conferences in Lima and Geneva and Vienna, to: control cluster munitions and prohibit their use, production and transfer; develop a framework of cooperation; and address the crucial humanitarian issues involved in their use.
Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Japan and Poland are among those seeking to exempt 'smart' munitions and my colleagues and I have long called on our Government for an entire ban of all cluster munitions. I believe that if the Government is to fulfil its commitments as set out in the Oslo Conference in February 2007 to ban "cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm" then all cluster munitions must be banned without distinction.
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