CLUSTER MUNITIONS what are they and what is the problem?

What are cluster munitions? Large-scale use of these weapons has resulted in countries and regions being n Cluster munitions are weapons infested with tens of thousands, and consisting of a container that opens sometimes millions, of unexploded and in the air and scatters explosive highly unstable submunitions. submunitions or "bomblets" over a wide area. Depending on the model, n Unexploded submunitions often the number of submunitions can vary explode when handled or disturbed, from several to more than 600. Cluster posing a serious danger to . munitions can be delivered by aircraft, The presence of these weapons poses /Damir Sagoli and . a threat to displaced civilians returning to their homes, obstructs relief and n Most submunitions are intended to reconstruction efforts and makes vital overview explode on impact. The vast majority are subsistence activities like farming Cluster munitions have been a free-falling, meaning that they are not hazardous for years or even decades persistent problem for decades. individually guided towards a target. after the conflict has ended. The wide area effects of these n Cluster munitions were first used in n Because they are "area weapons," weapons and the large numbers of World War II and a large proportion of which can release vast numbers of submunitions that fail to explode currently stockpiled cluster munitions submunitions over an area of up to as intended have caused large were designed for the context of the tens of thousands of square metres, Cold War. Their main purpose was the impact of cluster munitions on numbers of casualties. to destroy multiple military targets civilians during conflicts is also a serious Although only a limited number of dispersed over a wide area, such as concern, in particular when they are countries have actually used cluster or infantry formations, and to kill used in populated areas. munitions, 75 have these weapons or injure combatants. n As most submunitions are not precision- in their stockpiles. If even a fraction guided, their accuracy can be affected of the cluster munitions in current Why are cluster munitions by weather and other environmental stocks are used or transferred to of such concern from a factors. They may therefore hit areas other countries or non-State armed humanitarian perspective? outside the military objective targeted. When such weapons are used in or groups, the consequences could n History has shown that large numbers of near populated areas, they can pose far exceed those of anti-personnel submunitions fail to explode on impact a significant danger to civilians both mines. Unfortunately, technological as intended. Credible estimates of the during the attack and in the immediate improvements to cluster munitions failure rates of these weapons in recent post-strike period when people resume conflicts have varied from 10% to 40%. their normal activities. have not provided an adequate solution. It is unlikely that any single technical improvement could adequately address the humanitarian problems caused by these weapons.

A can contain several hundred individual 'bomblets'. AP/Mohammed Zaatari How many countries produce Can self-destruct and stockpile cluster mechanisms and other munitions? technical improvements solve the cluster munition n 34 countries are known to have problem? produced over 210 different types of cluster munition. These include n The majority of cluster munitions in projectiles, , rockets, missiles and current stocks are old models (20 years dispensers (Hiznay). old or more). These are becoming increasingly unreliable and should not n At least 75 countries currently stockpile be used. An unexploded 'bomblet' from a cluster munition found cluster munitions (). only 100 metres from a hospital. Current stocks amount to millions of n Some newer models have self-destruct AP/Ben Curtis cluster munitions, containing billions features to ensure that submunitions of individual submunitions. destroy themselves if they fail to explode as intended. However, this technology n At least four countries that previously has not provided an adequate solution produced cluster munitions have to the reliability problem. Self-destruct enacted new national policies or laws features have decreased the number of in which they undertake not to produce unexploded submunitions in controlled any more of them (Human Rights tests, but the actual failure rate in battle Watch). This shows that the recent focus remains high. Even these weapons on the humanitarian consequences of have been shown to leave a significant these weapons has already brought number of unexploded submunitions about positive change at a national on the ground. level. n Technical solutions to the reliability and accuracy of cluster munitions How many countries have need to be examined not only on the used cluster munitions? basis of how munitions are designed to function or how they function Cluster munitions dropped from aircraft can quickly n Out of the 75 countries that stockpile under test conditions, but on how they cover tens of thousands of square metres with explosive cluster munitions, fewer than 15 have will function under actual battlefield submunitions. actually used them during armed conditions. Associated Press conflict (Human Rights Watch; Cluster Munition ). n Governments will need to prove that new or existing models of cluster n Use by non-State armed groups has munition that feature technical been documented in a few cases improvements will not create the type (Human Rights Watch). of humanitarian problem that has arisen in past conflicts. n If even a fraction of the cluster munitions Sources: in current stocks are used or transferred n It is unlikely that any single technical Mark Hiznay, Survey of cluster munitions produced to other countries or non-State armed improvement could adequately address and stockpiled, presentation at the ICRC Expert groups, the consequences could far the humanitarian problems caused by Meeting on the Humanitarian, Military, Technical exceed those of anti-personnel mines cluster munitions. and Legal Challenges of Cluster Munitions, Montreux, in the 1990s. , 18–20 April 2007. n Fortunately, if effective action is taken Human Rights Watch, At a Glance: Global Overview now, it is still possible to prevent an even of Cluster Munition Policy and Practice, Human Rights Watch, Washington D.C., USA, October 2007. more severe humanitarian problem in the future. Cluster Munition Coalition, User countries, http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/dokumenti/ dokument.asp?id=28

International Committee of the Red Cross 19, avenue de la Paix 1202 , Switzerland T + 41 22 734 60 01 F + 41 22 733 20 57 E-mail: [email protected] For further information, visit www.icrc.org © ICRC, February 2008 www.icrc.org/eng/cluster-munitions 0946/002 02.2008 3000