At the 75^th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 75), the Disarmament and International Security Committee or First Committee approved the draft resolution “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions” (document A/C.1/75/L.43) by a vote of 137 in favour to none against, with 39 abstentions. A separate vote on the preambular paragraph 14 of the resolution yielded a vote of 144 in favour to none against, with 19 abstentions.

It is noteworthy that for the first time since 2015, the draft CCM resolution was approved with no vote against it, reflecting the continuing universal support for the humanitarian imperative and concerns caused by cluster munitions. The resolution urges all States that have not yet done so “to join as soon as possible”.

A final vote at the UNGA to adopt the resolution will take place in December 2020.

Click here for more information on the resolution.

Utilisation d’armes à sous-munitions dans le conflit du Haut-Karabakh

La Suisse, en tant que Présidente de la Convention sur les armes à sous-munitions (CCM), est vivement préoccupée par les allégations d’utilisation d’armes à sous-munitions dans le conflit du Haut-Karabakh. Elle appelle les parties à tout conflit à respecter pleinement le droit international humanitaire et à s’abstenir d’employer les armes à sous-munitions, qui frappent sans distinction et ont un impact disproportionné sur les civils et les biens civils.

La Suisse regrette que 10 ans après l’entrée en vigueur de la Convention, les armes à sous-munitions continuent d’être utilisées. Préoccupée par leur impact humanitaire, elle condamne tout recours à ces armes, par quelque acteur que ce soit. Elle encourage tous les États ne l’ayant pas encore fait à adhérer à la Convention.

Use of cluster munitions in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Switzerland, as the President of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), is deeply concerned about reports on the alleged use of cluster munitions in the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Switzerland calls on parties to any conflict to fully respect the international humanitarian law and refrain from using cluster munitions, as they are indiscriminate and have a disproportionate impact on civilians and civilian objects.

Switzerland regrets that 10 years after the entry into force of the Convention, cluster munitions are still used. Concerned by their humanitarian impact, she condemns any use of cluster munitions, by any actor. Switzerland encourages all States which have not yet done so to join the Convention.

Congratulations to the government of St. Lucia on its accession to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) thereby becoming the Convention’s 110^th State Party.

St. Lucia deposited its instrument of accession with the United Nations in New York on 15 September 2020.

In accordance with CCM Article 17(2), the Convention will enter into force for St. Lucia on 1 March 2021.

The Implementation Support Unit of the Convention on Cluster Munitions warmly welcomes St. Lucia to the CCM community and looks forward to closely collaborating with it to achieve full implementation of the Convention.

With the accession of St. Lucia, membership of CARICOM states to the CCM has increased to nine of the fifteen-member community. The remaining CARICOM states that are yet to ratify or accede to the Convention on Cluster Munitions are encouraged to join the Convention in the very near future.

The Government of Niue, has today 6 August 2020, deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) at the United Nations in New York making it CCM State Party No. 109. The Convention will enter into force for the Pacific Island state on 1 February 2021 in accordance with Article 17.2. Niue becomes the second state to join the Convention in 2020.

The Implementation Support Unit of the Convention on Cluster Munitions on behalf of the CCM community welcomes Niue and extends its heartfelt congratulations to its newest member.

The accession of Niue brings the CCM closer to achieving its goal of 130 States Parties by the Second Review Conference (2RC) of the Convention to be held in November 2020.

The Implementation Support Unit of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (ISU-CCM) is pleased to announce that Montenegro as a State Party to the CCM has declared fulfillment of its obligation under article 4 of the Convention pertaining to clearance and destruction of Cluster Munitions.

Hearty congratulations to the Government of Montenegro for its dedication to implementing its CCM Article 4 obligations before the stipulated deadline of 1 August 2020. With every cluster munition remnant cleared and destroyed, the world becomes a much safer place and ensures that there will not be another victim of these indiscriminate weapon. This date is significant as it marks 10 years since the Convention entered into force.

As the Convention commemorates the 10^th anniversary of its entry into force on 1 August 2020, there remain 10 States Parties with obligations to fulfil under Article 4.

This outstanding achievement comes as the first clearance deadlines under Article 4 of the Convention fall due on 1 August 2020 and is cause for great celebration and will continue to be celebrated by the CCM community at the upcoming 2RC.

The Republic of Croatia has today informed the Implementation Support Unit of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (ISU-CCM) that on 10 July 2020 it completed the clearance of cluster munition remnants (CMR) in all contaminated areas under its jurisdiction or control in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of the Convention. The deadline for Croatia to meet this obligation was 1 August 2020. This is a significant date in the life of the Convention on Cluster Munitions as it marks 10 years since it entered into force.
The ISU congratulates Croatia for this notable accomplishment and commends its commitment to ridding the world of the threat posed by remnants of cluster munitions. CMR clearance is one of the key obligations under the Convention that is vital in ensuring that soon there will be no more victims of this indiscriminate weapon.

With this declaration there now remain 11 States Parties with obligations under Article 4 of the Convention.

In commemoration of the 10^th  anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), H.E. Ms. Simonetta Sommaruga, President of the Swiss Confederation and Mr. Peter Maurer, President of the ICRC, have written a joint article underlining the importance of the Convention titled «Treacherous weapons that still kill 10 years after a convention to ban them».

The article was also published in today’s edition of the following newspapers:

• Corriere del Ticino: https://www.cdt.ch/commenti/quell-eredita-subdola-e-letale-che-continua-a-mietere-vittime-XC2985725?refresh=true
• 24 heures: https://www.24heures.ch/des-armes-perfides-qui-tuent-encore-10-ans-apres-ladoption-dune-convention-525487407686
• NZZ : https://www.nzz.ch/meinung/10-jahre-verboten-doch-heimtueckische-streumunition-toetet-weiter-ld.1567770?reduced=true
• Tribune de Genève: https://www.tdg.ch/des-armes-perfides-qui-tuent-encore-10-ans-apres-ladoption-dune-convention-525487407686

On 9 July 2020, H.E. Ichiro Ogasawara, Permanent Representative of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament, paid a courtesy call on the ISU Director, Ms. Sheila N. Mweemba, to present a letter notifying of Japan’s financial contribution towards the 2020 ISU annual budget.  During the visit, Ambassador Ogasawara reiterated Japan’s unwavering support in advancing the norms of the Convention. He was accompanied by Colonel Jun Yamada, First Secretary and Defense Attaché of the Delegation of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament. Japan was among the earliest States to sign and ratify the CCM and destroyed all its cluster munition stockpiles ahead of its initial treaty deadline. Japan has also enacted legislation to enforce the CCM domestically and has previously served as Coordinator on Universalization on the CCM Coordination Committee.

After the meeting, the Ambassador took the opportunity to have a photo taken with the CCM ISU Director and the ISU Director of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, Mr. Juan Carlos Ruan.

On 30 May 2008, the final draft of the Convention on Cluster Munitions was adopted by 107 States in Dublin, Ireland. The following is a summary of the achievements of the Convention to date: