The international community has become increasingly aware of the need to deal with the hazards that all explosive remnants of war (ERW) pose to civilian populations. The recent entry into force of Protocol V on ERW of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons – on 12 November 2006 – and the worldwide expansion of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) projects are indicative of this concern. Cluster munitions, which by design deliver submunitions over a wide area, are a specific and often significant post-conflict hazard to settled communities and returnees alike. This Guide to Cluster Munitions provides practical information to those engaged in addressing the impact of unexploded cluster munitions on civilians. The Guide is intended particularly for States and their armed forces, as well as international and non-governmental organisations involved in clearance of cluster munitions or providing assistance to the victims. It reflects existing international legal obligations and provides background on recent moves to prohibit or restrict cluster munitions, but does not intend to supplement or expand on current international law. The GICHD does not have a policy or advocacy role in this, or any other area. As such, the Guide is intended to support the work within both the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons on cluster munitions, and also the “Oslo Process”. The Guide should be considered a ‘work in progress’ and an updated and revised edition is planned to be released by early 2009. We hope that the Guide will be a useful resource to States, international, regional organisations, and civil society and those involved in addressing the consequences of these weapons, as well as journalists, academics and newcomers to the issue. We would like to thank Lithuania and the United Kingdom for their generous support of this publication. |
