Cluster Munition Victims

CLUSTER MUNITION Are cluster munition victims getting the help they need? VICTIMS The most significant problem is the Whether due to the lack of security, remote nearest medical or rehabilitation facilities dangerous environment accompanying location or a poor health care system, are often hours away from the location of the armed conflict. This means that the people living in many areas contaminated the incident. need for medical and rehabilitation by cluster munitions have limited access W hat is known and services increases at precisely the time to medical facilities or victim assistance Assistance to cluster munition victims when the ability to deliver such services programmes. is not always seen as a priority, even by what is needed? diminishes. affected communities themselves, in The cost of medical treatment can be comparison to other urgent problems, These dangers also make it harder to crippling for families of survivors. They such as ongoing violence or HIV/AIDS. W hat are the effects of cluster munition collect reliable data to guide assistance frequently have to sell their main source incidents on victims? efforts. Effective assistance depends on of income, such as livestock, to pay the accurate data about the impact of cluster bills for initial hospital treatment, follow- People who survive the explosion of a he or she previously played in the family or munitions and other needs in a given up treatment and rehabilitation. Transport submunition are likely to have serious, community. If severely disabled, survivors context. costs alone can be a huge burden, as the often multiple blast or fragment injuries. may not be able to resume their former REUTERS/Damir Sagoli Such injuries include not only damage work and may become unemployed. to vital organs but also the loss of hands and feet. Eye injuries are common. The countries and regions in which overview Submunitions also tend to kill or injure affected communities live are usually There are victims of cluster munitions several people in a single incident more poor and the economies in which they in at least 21 States and four areas frequently than other explosive remnants subsist are primarily agricultural. In of war (ERW) (ICRC). In Laos, for instance, Chad, for example, the affected areas of Africa, the Middle East, Asia and submunitions were responsible for 43% are mainly rural and the farmers and Europe. A 2007 study published by of all multiple casualty ERW incidents shepherds there generally have a low Handicap International confirmed (Handicap International, 2007). income (Handicap International, 2007). 13,306 deaths and injuries due to Submunition contamination can increase Physical injury is often accompanied by the vulnerability of such communities cluster munitions. Men were found psychological trauma. Surviving victims because it can hinder access to farmland to be the most frequent victims, suffer loss of dignity and self-esteem, and water sources. In the aftermath of followed by children, who are often and they are frequently subjected conflict it can also block the rebuilding attracted by the shape, size and to discrimination and ostracism. The and restoration of homes, schools, roads psychological impact is heightened when and other infrastructure. colour of cluster munitions. Boys S ources: a victim is no longer able to fulfil the role are particularly at risk due to the Handicap International, Circle of Impact: The ICRC, Explosive Remnants of War: The Lethal Legacy of activities they are often assigned in Fatal Footprint of Cluster Munitions on People and Modern Armed Conflict, July 2004. Communities, May 2007. rural communities (such as farming Human Rights Watch, Cluster Bombs in Afghanistan, and herding). Women make up Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian October 2001. Demining, A Study of Scrap Metal Collection in Lao PDR, a smaller percentage of cluster September 2005. Human Rights Watch, World Report 2004: Cluster munition victims in most of the Munitions: Toward a Global Solution. ICRC, Cluster Bombs and Landmines in Kosovo: Explosive contaminated areas. Remnants of War, June 2001. Survivors of cluster munition incidents will often have serious blast or fragment injuries. They will frequently need long term treatment and rehabilitation, which will include medical care, physical rehabilitation, psycho-social support and socioeconomic reintegration.

International Committee of the Red Cross 19, avenue de la Paix 1202 Geneva, Switzerland T + 41 22 734 60 01 F + 41 22 733 20 57 F or further information, visit Mushroom farmer Do Thien Dang E-mail: [email protected] icrc.org survived a cluster munition explosion, © ICRC, February 2008 www.icrc.org/eng/cluster-munitions but will remain disabled for life.

0946/002 02.2008 REUTERS/Nguyen Huy Kham W ho are the victims of cluster munitions?

Information on victims of cluster post-strike victims. The most common munitions is often hard to obtain because activity at the time of these incidents data is not always separated out from that is tending animals, with children According to Handicap concerning accidents caused by other constituting 52% of those that become unexploded ordnance, and because many victims while tending animals. (Handicap International, victims of accidents are never recorded. It is clear, International, 2007). In Laos, the price of cluster munitions can however, that where cluster munitions scrap metal rose significantly between have been used on a large scale, they 2002 and 2005, and children were currently be found in: cause significant numbers of preventable reported as being regularly engaged in Afghanistan civilian casualties. scrap collecting, including the collection of explosive ordnance (GICHD). Albania Men are generally the most common Bosnia and Herzegovina victims of cluster munitions. In Laos, In addition to their physical injuries, for example, they represent 84.1% of children injured by cluster munitions Cambodia all those killed or injured (Handicap often suffer flashbacks, nightmares, International, 2007). In families where poor memory, lack of concentration and Chad males are the main income earners behavioural changes. Chechnya their death or injury represents a great economic loss for the family. Women become victims less often. Croatia However, the number of women victims Eritrea The psychological impact for men upon is higher in countries with a greater losing their role as the main income earner number of women-led households Ethiopia is also considerable, especially given the where they engage in livelihood activities Iraq lack of rehabilitation and reintegration traditionally carried out by men (e.g. programmes, financial assistance and herding, farming and collecting wood). Israel vocational training in many countries. In Tajikistan, where in some areas up Kosovo to 50% of the male workforce has gone Children are also common victims of to work abroad, women accounted for Kuwait cluster submunitions. Reasons for this 17% of submunition casualties and girls include children being particularly for 10% (Handicap International, 2007). Laos attracted to the shape, size and colour Lebanon of submunitions and, in many societies, In addition to the psychological impact, their engaging in livelihood activities that women whose spouse has been killed Montenegro expose them to risk. Boys are particularly or injured by a cluster munition often Nagorno-Karabakh at risk and in most cases constitute the face difficulties obtaining employment, in second largest group of victims after men par-ticular where this contravenes cultural CLUSTER MUNITION VICTIMS Saudi Arabia (Handicap International, 2007). norms. Children are common victims of Serbia cluster munitions. Sobhi Abbas In Kosovo, 62.5% of the civilian victims Returnees are the main victims in several was injured while playing with one. Sierra Leone in the year after the conflict (March countries. In Vietnam, for example, AP/Mohammed Zaatari 1999–August 2000) were boys under 18 52.4% of all cluster munition victims Sudan (Handicap International). Those killed or occurred during the first five years after Syria injured by submunitions were five times the war, making post-conflict returnees more likely to be under the age of 14 than the largest group at risk (Handicap What help do cluster munition victims need? Tajikistan those injured by anti-personnel mines International, 2007). Vietnam (ICRC). Data gathered by UXO Lao since The needs of cluster munition victims and reintegration programmes is also an including cluster munition survivors, 1999 in areas where it operates indicates In August 2006, approximately 1 million must be seen in the broader context of important aspect of victim assistance. from discrimination, and to ensure Western Sahara that more than 50% of the victims in Laos people fled southernL ebanon because of inadequate access to services for victims that they have equal access to public are children. In Cambodia, boys aged the conflict. One week after the ceasefire, of armed conflicts in general. Assistance programmes should not only facilities, social programmes, education between 6 and 15 represent 37.8% of all 60%-70% of these people had returned, focus on the directly affected individual, and employment. Helping survivors is cluster submunition victims (Handicap and 33.8% of deaths and injuries caused Assistance for the victims of cluster but also on their family and community. more than just a medical or rehabilitation International, 2007). by submunitions occurred when they munitions should include emergency Victim assistance is a long-term activity issue; it is also a human rights question. entered their villages and went to check and medical care, physical rehabilitation, that must continue even after all Ratification and implementation by States Incidents involving children usually on their houses (Handicap International, psycho-social support and socio- unexploded submunitions have been of the recently adopted Convention on occur while they are playing, carrying 2007). economic reintegration programmes, cleared. the Rights of Persons with Disabilities out livelihood activities or collecting scrap enabling survivors to be included in (December 2006) is an important step metal. In Afghanistan, children make society. Access to information concerning Legislation and public policies are needed towards implementing an integrated up 36.3% of overall victims and 40% of medical facilities, rehabilitation centres to protect the rights of disabled persons, approach to the needs of survivors. CLUSTER MUNITION Are cluster munition victims getting the help they need? VICTIMS The most significant problem is the Whether due to the lack of security, remote nearest medical or rehabilitation facilities dangerous environment accompanying location or a poor health care system, are often hours away from the location of the armed conflict. This means that the people living in many areas contaminated the incident. need for medical and rehabilitation by cluster munitions have limited access W hat is known and services increases at precisely the time to medical facilities or victim assistance Assistance to cluster munition victims when the ability to deliver such services programmes. is not always seen as a priority, even by what is needed? diminishes. affected communities themselves, in The cost of medical treatment can be comparison to other urgent problems, These dangers also make it harder to crippling for families of survivors. They such as ongoing violence or HIV/AIDS. W hat are the effects of cluster munition collect reliable data to guide assistance frequently have to sell their main source incidents on victims? efforts. Effective assistance depends on of income, such as livestock, to pay the accurate data about the impact of cluster bills for initial hospital treatment, follow- People who survive the explosion of a he or she previously played in the family or munitions and other needs in a given up treatment and rehabilitation. Transport submunition are likely to have serious, community. If severely disabled, survivors context. costs alone can be a huge burden, as the often multiple blast or fragment injuries. may not be able to resume their former REUTERS/Damir Sagoli Such injuries include not only damage work and may become unemployed. to vital organs but also the loss of hands and feet. Eye injuries are common. The countries and regions in which overview Submunitions also tend to kill or injure affected communities live are usually There are victims of cluster munitions several people in a single incident more poor and the economies in which they in at least 21 States and four areas frequently than other explosive remnants subsist are primarily agricultural. In of war (ERW) (ICRC). In Laos, for instance, Chad, for example, the affected areas of Africa, the Middle East, Asia and submunitions were responsible for 43% are mainly rural and the farmers and Europe. A 2007 study published by of all multiple casualty ERW incidents shepherds there generally have a low Handicap International confirmed (Handicap International, 2007). income (Handicap International, 2007). 13,306 deaths and injuries due to Submunition contamination can increase Physical injury is often accompanied by the vulnerability of such communities cluster munitions. Men were found psychological trauma. Surviving victims because it can hinder access to farmland to be the most frequent victims, suffer loss of dignity and self-esteem, and water sources. In the aftermath of followed by children, who are often and they are frequently subjected conflict it can also block the rebuilding attracted by the shape, size and to discrimination and ostracism. The and restoration of homes, schools, roads psychological impact is heightened when and other infrastructure. colour of cluster munitions. Boys S ources: a victim is no longer able to fulfil the role are particularly at risk due to the Handicap International, Circle of Impact: The ICRC, Explosive Remnants of War: The Lethal Legacy of activities they are often assigned in Fatal Footprint of Cluster Munitions on People and Modern Armed Conflict, July 2004. Communities, May 2007. rural communities (such as farming Human Rights Watch, Cluster Bombs in Afghanistan, and herding). Women make up Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian October 2001. Demining, A Study of Scrap Metal Collection in Lao PDR, a smaller percentage of cluster September 2005. Human Rights Watch, World Report 2004: Cluster munition victims in most of the Munitions: Toward a Global Solution. ICRC, Cluster Bombs and Landmines in Kosovo: Explosive contaminated areas. Remnants of War, June 2001. Survivors of cluster munition incidents will often have serious blast or fragment injuries. They will frequently need long term treatment and rehabilitation, which will include medical care, physical rehabilitation, psycho-social support and socioeconomic reintegration.

0946/002 02.2008 REUTERS/Nguyen Huy Kham sources or clean water. In Vietnam, 61.1% children interviewed relied solely on CLUSTER MUNITION of all cluster submunition deaths and scrap metal for their income (Handicap injuries between 1975 and 2007 occurred International, 2004). while the victims were farming, herding or digging, and 53.1% of incidents occurred Submunitions are highly explosive and CONTAMINATION on agricultural or grazing land (Handicap may be extremely unstable. Clearance International, 2007). teams therefore have to exercise extra care when encountering and destroying Unexploded submunitions can also them. This also makes the process more W here are cluster munitions? represent valuable but extremely expensive and time-consuming. The dangerous sources of income. For same characteristics make it likely that What is their legacy? example, nomads in Afghanistan have when a person accidentally detonates a fallen victim to submunitions as they submunition, others in the immediate collect the weapons as scrap metal to vicinity will also be killed or maimed. W hich States and areas are most affected by supplement their income (Handicap cluster munitions? International, 2007). In Cambodia, scrap metal collection and trade is a common Identifying the degree to which States Laos became contaminated by cluster activity (Handicap International, 2004). are affected by cluster munitions can munitions between 1964 and 1973 as a When scrap metal prices rose after 2002, be difficult, as data on cluster munition result of the wars in the region. Handicap so did the number of accidents resulting A Mines Advisory Group (MAG) team REUTERS/Damir Sagoli contamination is sometimes mixed in International’s National Survey on the clears unexploded cluster submunitions. from deliberately handling ERW to extract This is a highly dangerous, time-consuming with data on contamination by other Impact of UXO in Laos found that the metal (Cambodian Red Cross). In a survey and expensive task. types of unexploded ordnance (UXO). most common type of UXO contamination by Handicap International, 32% of the Sean Sutton/Panos Pictures overview However, we do know that where cluster involved unexploded submunitions and At least 21 States and four areas munitions have been used extensively, that 1,553 villages were contaminated by of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, they have accounted for a large part of these weapons (Handicap International, the explosive remnants of war problem 1997). The Lao National Unexploded and Europe are affected by cluster and have had a severe impact on civilians Ordnance Programme estimates that munitions or have been in the last five and communities. approximately 270 million submunitions decades. In some countries, cluster were released from cluster bombs (UXO munitions were used extensively, such as in Laos where the weapons S ources: were dropped over a period of nine ICRC, Cluster Bombs and Landmines in Kosovo: Explosive United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian years (1964 to 1973), creating a Remnants of War, June 2001. Working Together for Iraq, December 2006, available at: Demining (GICHD), Lao PDR Risk Management and widespread lethal hazard for the http://www.uniraq.org/documents/InfoKit2007_ Mitigation Model, February 2007. ICRC, Explosive Remnants of War: the lethal legacy of EN.pdf population (GICHD, February 2007). modern armed conflict, July 2004. Human Rights Watch, Fatally Flawed: Cluster Bombs and In other contexts, their use has been United Nations Mine Action Co-ordination Centre in their Use by the United States in Afghanistan, December ICRC, Expert Meeting on Explosive Remnants of War, South Lebanon (UNMACC SL), South Lebanon Cluster 2002. more limited but the impact has also Presentation by Phil Bean, Programme Director, Lao Bomb Info Sheet, November 2006. been severe. In Kosovo, for instance, National UXO Programme, 18–19 September 2000. International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), the conflict lasted only 11 weeks, but United Nations Mine Action Co-ordination Centre in Landmine Monitor Report 2006. Cambodian Red Cross, Cambodia Mine/UXO Victim South Lebanon (UNMACC SL). September 2007 Report, it is estimated that between 230,000 Information System, Annual Report 2006. October 2007. Landmine Action, Foreseeable Harm: The use and and 290,000 submunitions were impact of cluster munitions in Lebanon: 2006, October Handicap International, Tampering: Deliberate Handling United Nations Mine Action Co-ordination Centre in 2006. dropped (Landmine Action/ICRC) and and Use of Live Ordnance in Cambodia, August 2004. South Lebanon (UNMACC SL). Victim data, December that approximately 30,000 remained 2007, available at: http://www.maccsl.org/reports/ Landmine Action, Cluster Munitions in Kosovo: Analysis Handicap International, Living with UXO: Final Report, Victims/casualties.pdf of Use, Contamination and Casualties, October 2007. unexploded on the ground when the National Survey on the Socio-Economic Impact of UXO in fighting ended (ICRC, 2001). Lao PDR, October 1997. United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme (UXO (UN FAO), Lebanon: Damage and Early Recovery Needs Lao), see: http://www.uxolao.org Handicap International, Circle of Impact: The Assessment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Fatal Footprint of Cluster Munitions on People and November 2006. Communities, May 2007.

International Committee of the Red Cross 19, avenue de la Paix Submunitions can land far from the 1202 Geneva, Switzerland intended target. Darwish Abd el-Aal looks T + 41 22 734 60 01 F + 41 22 733 20 57 F or further information, visit at an unexploded cluster munition hanging E-mail: [email protected] icrc.org from a tree in an orchard. © ICRC, February 2008 www.icrc.org/eng/cluster-munitions AP/Mohammed Zaatari 0946/002 02.2008 Lao) and estimated that with a failure least 54% of the contaminated area was By December 2007, 217 civilians had been rate of 10% to 30%, between 9 million agricultural land (Landmine Action, 2007). killed or injured by unexploded ordnance, and 27 million unexploded submunitions In 2007, the Kosovo Protection Corps almost all by submunitions (UNMACC SL, remained on the ground at the end of Coordination reported that 61 hazard December 2007). A significant proportion the conflict (ICRC Expert Meeting on areas remained, mainly in the west of the of these incidents occurred when people ERW, 2000). As of March 2007, Handicap territory (Handicap International, 2007). returned to their homes following International had recorded 4,837 people the fighting, or just after their return killed or injured by cluster munitions The latest recorded use of cluster (Landmine Action, 2006). (Handicap International, 2007) – and munitions was in southern Lebanon in victim data is still incomplete. About July and August 2006. Although there is By September 2007, the UNMACC SL 200 new victims of explosive remnants no data available on the total number of estimated that 40% of the contaminated of war, including submunitions, are still submunitions used, an initial estimate in area had been cleared of all surface threat. recorded in Laos each year. In addition, a November 2006 by the UN Mine Action However, only 21% had been fully cleared significant number of incidents probably Co-ordination Centre in South Lebanon (i.e. to a depth of 20 cm). In October 2007, go unrecorded (GICHD). Laos is thus a (UNMACC SL) indicated that up to a million it reported that 131,115 unexploded prime example of the potentially long submunitions remained unexploded after submunitions had been cleared so far. lasting effects of cluster munition use. the fighting ended. Cluster munitions were also used The case of Kosovo demonstrates that Areas contaminated by these weapons extensively in Afghanistan in the cluster munitions can leave behind severe included agricultural land and water conflicts of the 1980s and 1990s and, problems that take years to address, and power infrastructure. The UN Food most recently, in 2001–2002. However, even when they are used in short-lived and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) many contaminated areas in Afghanistan conflicts. During the 11 week war in estimated that in large areas of southern are not mapped, and submunition 1999, between 230,000 and 290,000 Lebanon at least 25% of the cultivated contamination is often not differentiated cluster submunitions were dropped in area was contaminated by unexploded from that due to other explosive remnants the territory (Landmine Action, 2007/ cluster submunitions (UN FAO, 2006). of war (Handicap International, 2007). By ICRC, 2001) and it is estimated that Overall, agriculture constitutes nearly 70% February 2007, 222 out of 269 known sites approximately 30,000 failed to explode of the total household income in southern had been cleared of recent contamination (ICRC, 2001). This created a serious hazard Lebanon and half of the working population (Handicap International, 2007). to civilians who, despite the warnings, earns its living entirely from this activity entered cluster-strike areas such as fields, (UN FAO, 2006). Unexploded submunitions forests and vineyards because they had have also hindered reconstruction efforts, to in order to earn a living (ICRC, 2001). A e.g. by disrupting repairs to power lines Landmine Action study revealed that at (Landmine Action, 2006).

W hat challenges arise in areas affected by cluster munitions? Like anti-personnel mines and other In Iraq, according to the United Nations explosive remnants of war, unexploded Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), cluster submunitions have severe effects, agriculture provides employment to 37% which go well beyond individual casualties. of the population (UNAMI, December As highlighted above, the contamination 2006). Reports by the Iraq Landmine from these weapons often blocks access Impact Survey (ILIS) in 2006 revealed that to basic necessities such as food, water in some areas of southern Iraq, 100% of and fuel, and to schools, markets, health agricultural land and 95% of pasture land care and other essential services. was inaccessible due to ERW, including submunitions (Handicap International, Because submunitions have such a high 2007). failure rate and are scattered in such large numbers, even a single cluster munition When agricultural areas are contaminated strike in or near an agricultural area, for or water sources become inaccessible Areas contaminated by cluster munitions create a serious hazard to civilians and have example, can pose a significant long-term – and as it often takes time to clear the long-term consequences for war-affected socioeconomic and physical threat to the affected areas – people may take conscious communities. population. risks in order to access their fields, fuel John Rodsted

CLUSTER MUNITION CONTAMINATION Lao) and estimated that with a failure least 54% of the contaminated area was By December 2007, 217 civilians had been rate of 10% to 30%, between 9 million agricultural land (Landmine Action, 2007). killed or injured by unexploded ordnance, and 27 million unexploded submunitions In 2007, the Kosovo Protection Corps almost all by submunitions (UNMACC SL, remained on the ground at the end of Coordination reported that 61 hazard December 2007). A significant proportion the conflict (ICRC Expert Meeting on areas remained, mainly in the west of the of these incidents occurred when people ERW, 2000). As of March 2007, Handicap territory (Handicap International, 2007). returned to their homes following International had recorded 4,837 people the fighting, or just after their return killed or injured by cluster munitions The latest recorded use of cluster (Landmine Action, 2006). (Handicap International, 2007) – and munitions was in southern Lebanon in victim data is still incomplete. About July and August 2006. Although there is By September 2007, the UNMACC SL 200 new victims of explosive remnants no data available on the total number of estimated that 40% of the contaminated of war, including submunitions, are still submunitions used, an initial estimate in area had been cleared of all surface threat. recorded in Laos each year. In addition, a November 2006 by the UN Mine Action However, only 21% had been fully cleared significant number of incidents probably Co-ordination Centre in South Lebanon (i.e. to a depth of 20 cm). In October 2007, go unrecorded (GICHD). Laos is thus a (UNMACC SL) indicated that up to a million it reported that 131,115 unexploded prime example of the potentially long submunitions remained unexploded after submunitions had been cleared so far. lasting effects of cluster munition use. the fighting ended. Cluster munitions were also used The case of Kosovo demonstrates that Areas contaminated by these weapons extensively in Afghanistan in the cluster munitions can leave behind severe included agricultural land and water conflicts of the 1980s and 1990s and, problems that take years to address, and power infrastructure. The UN Food most recently, in 2001–2002. However, even when they are used in short-lived and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) many contaminated areas in Afghanistan conflicts. During the 11 week war in estimated that in large areas of southern are not mapped, and submunition 1999, between 230,000 and 290,000 Lebanon at least 25% of the cultivated contamination is often not differentiated cluster submunitions were dropped in area was contaminated by unexploded from that due to other explosive remnants the territory (Landmine Action, 2007/ cluster submunitions (UN FAO, 2006). of war (Handicap International, 2007). By ICRC, 2001) and it is estimated that Overall, agriculture constitutes nearly 70% February 2007, 222 out of 269 known sites approximately 30,000 failed to explode of the total household income in southern had been cleared of recent contamination (ICRC, 2001). This created a serious hazard Lebanon and half of the working population (Handicap International, 2007). to civilians who, despite the warnings, earns its living entirely from this activity entered cluster-strike areas such as fields, (UN FAO, 2006). Unexploded submunitions forests and vineyards because they had have also hindered reconstruction efforts, to in order to earn a living (ICRC, 2001). A e.g. by disrupting repairs to power lines Landmine Action study revealed that at (Landmine Action, 2006).

CLUSTER MUNITION CONTAMINATION sources or clean water. In Vietnam, 61.1% children interviewed relied solely on CLUSTER MUNITION of all cluster submunition deaths and scrap metal for their income (Handicap injuries between 1975 and 2007 occurred International, 2004). while the victims were farming, herding or digging, and 53.1% of incidents occurred Submunitions are highly explosive and CONTAMINATION on agricultural or grazing land (Handicap may be extremely unstable. Clearance International, 2007). teams therefore have to exercise extra care when encountering and destroying Unexploded submunitions can also them. This also makes the process more W here are cluster munitions? represent valuable but extremely expensive and time-consuming. The dangerous sources of income. For same characteristics make it likely that What is their legacy? example, nomads in Afghanistan have when a person accidentally detonates a fallen victim to submunitions as they submunition, others in the immediate collect the weapons as scrap metal to vicinity will also be killed or maimed. W hich States and areas are most affected by supplement their income (Handicap cluster munitions? International, 2007). In Cambodia, scrap metal collection and trade is a common Identifying the degree to which States Laos became contaminated by cluster activity (Handicap International, 2004). are affected by cluster munitions can munitions between 1964 and 1973 as a When scrap metal prices rose after 2002, be difficult, as data on cluster munition result of the wars in the region. Handicap so did the number of accidents resulting A Mines Advisory Group (MAG) team REUTERS/Damir Sagoli contamination is sometimes mixed in International’s National Survey on the clears unexploded cluster submunitions. from deliberately handling ERW to extract This is a highly dangerous, time-consuming with data on contamination by other Impact of UXO in Laos found that the metal (Cambodian Red Cross). In a survey and expensive task. types of unexploded ordnance (UXO). most common type of UXO contamination by Handicap International, 32% of the Sean Sutton/Panos Pictures overview However, we do know that where cluster involved unexploded submunitions and At least 21 States and four areas munitions have been used extensively, that 1,553 villages were contaminated by of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, they have accounted for a large part of these weapons (Handicap International, the explosive remnants of war problem 1997). The Lao National Unexploded and Europe are affected by cluster and have had a severe impact on civilians Ordnance Programme estimates that munitions or have been in the last five and communities. approximately 270 million submunitions decades. In some countries, cluster were released from cluster bombs (UXO munitions were used extensively, such as in Laos where the weapons S ources: were dropped over a period of nine ICRC, Cluster Bombs and Landmines in Kosovo: Explosive United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian years (1964 to 1973), creating a Remnants of War, June 2001. Working Together for Iraq, December 2006, available at: Demining (GICHD), Lao PDR Risk Management and widespread lethal hazard for the http://www.uniraq.org/documents/InfoKit2007_ Mitigation Model, February 2007. ICRC, Explosive Remnants of War: the lethal legacy of EN.pdf population (GICHD, February 2007). modern armed conflict, July 2004. Human Rights Watch, Fatally Flawed: Cluster Bombs and In other contexts, their use has been United Nations Mine Action Co-ordination Centre in their Use by the United States in Afghanistan, December ICRC, Expert Meeting on Explosive Remnants of War, South Lebanon (UNMACC SL), South Lebanon Cluster 2002. more limited but the impact has also Presentation by Phil Bean, Programme Director, Lao Bomb Info Sheet, November 2006. been severe. In Kosovo, for instance, National UXO Programme, 18–19 September 2000. International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), the conflict lasted only 11 weeks, but United Nations Mine Action Co-ordination Centre in Landmine Monitor Report 2006. Cambodian Red Cross, Cambodia Mine/UXO Victim South Lebanon (UNMACC SL). September 2007 Report, it is estimated that between 230,000 Information System, Annual Report 2006. October 2007. Landmine Action, Foreseeable Harm: The use and and 290,000 submunitions were impact of cluster munitions in Lebanon: 2006, October Handicap International, Tampering: Deliberate Handling United Nations Mine Action Co-ordination Centre in 2006. dropped (Landmine Action/ICRC) and and Use of Live Ordnance in Cambodia, August 2004. South Lebanon (UNMACC SL). Victim data, December that approximately 30,000 remained 2007, available at: http://www.maccsl.org/reports/ Landmine Action, Cluster Munitions in Kosovo: Analysis Handicap International, Living with UXO: Final Report, Victims/casualties.pdf of Use, Contamination and Casualties, October 2007. unexploded on the ground when the National Survey on the Socio-Economic Impact of UXO in fighting ended (ICRC, 2001). Lao PDR, October 1997. United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme (UXO (UN FAO), Lebanon: Damage and Early Recovery Needs Lao), see: http://www.uxolao.org Handicap International, Circle of Impact: The Assessment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Fatal Footprint of Cluster Munitions on People and November 2006. Communities, May 2007.

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 in sometimes millions, of unexploded and the air and scatters large numbers of highly unstable submunitions. explosive submunitions or "bomblets" over a wide area. Depending on the n Unexploded submunitions often model, the number of submunitions can explode when handled or disturbed, vary from several dozen to more than posing a serious danger to civilians. 600. Cluster munitions can be delivered The presence of these weapons poses REUTERS/Damir Sagoli by aircraft, artillery and missiles. 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 as currently stockpiled cluster munitions submunitions over an area of up to intended have caused large numbers 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 of civilian casualties. Although only to destroy multiple military targets civilians during conflicts is also a serious a limited number of countries have dispersed over a wide area, such as tank concern, in particular when they are actually used cluster munitions, or infantry formations, and to kill or used in populated areas. many have these weapons in their injure combatants. n As most submunitions are not precision- stockpiles. If even a fraction of the guided, their accuracy can be affected cluster munitions in current stocks Why are cluster munitions by weather and other environmental are used or transferred to other of such concern from a factors. They may therefore hit areas countries or non-State armed groups, humanitarian perspective? outside the military objective targeted. When such weapons are used in or the consequences could far exceed n History has shown that large numbers of near populated areas, they can pose those of anti-personnel mines. submunitions fail to explode on impact a significant danger to civilians both Technological improvements to as intended. Credible estimates of the during the attack and in the immediate cluster munitions have not provided failure rates of these weapons in recent post-strike period when people resume conflicts have varied from 10% to 40%. their normal activities. an adequate solution and a growing number of States are joining the Convention on Cluster Munitions to address the humanitarian problems caused by these weapons.

A cluster munition can contain several hundred individual "bomblets." AP/Mohammed Zaatari How many countries produce and stockpile cluster munitions? n 34 countries are known to have produced over 210 different types of cluster munition. These include projectiles, bombs, rockets, missiles and dispensers (Hiznay). n At least 87 countries currently stockpile cluster munitions or have done so in the past (HRW, Information Chart). Current stocks amount to millions of cluster munitions, containing billions of individual submunitions. An unexploded "bomblet" from a cluster munition found only 100 metres from a hospital. AP/Ben Curtis

How many countries have used cluster munitions? n Out of the 87 countries that have or have had stockpiles of cluster munitions, 16 have actually used them during armed conflict (HRW, Information Chart; Cluster Munition Coalition). n Use by non-State armed groups has been documented in a few cases (HRW, Overview). n If even a fraction of the cluster munitions in current stocks are used or transferred to other countries or non-State armed groups, the consequences could far exceed those of anti-personnel mines in the 1990s.

Can self-destruct mechanisms and other technical Cluster munitions dropped from aircraft can quickly improvements solve the cluster munition problem? cover tens of thousands of square metres with explosive submunitions. n The majority of cluster munitions in current stocks are old models (20 Associated Press years old or more). These are becoming increasingly unreliable and should not be used. n Some later models have self-destruct features to ensure that submunitions destroy themselves if they fail to explode as intended. However, this technology has not provided an adequate solution to the reliability problem. Self-destruct features have decreased the number of unexploded submunitions in controlled tests, but Sources the actual failure rate in battle remains high. Even these weapons Mark Hiznay, Survey of cluster munitions produced and stockpiled, have been shown to leave a significant number of unexploded presentation at the ICRC Expert Meeting on the Humanitarian, Military, submunitions on the ground. Technical and Legal Challenges of Cluster Munitions, Montreux, Switzerland, 18–20 April 2007. n Fortunately, a growing number of States have or are in the process of adhering to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. This Convention was Human Rights Watch, Cluster Munition Information Chart, April 2010, negotiated and adopted by 107 States at a diplomatic conference in http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/07/17/cluster-munition-information- Dublin, Ireland in May 2008. The Convention establishes new rules to chart (HRW, Information Chart). ensure that cluster munitions are no longer used and that the existing humanitarian problems associated with these weapons are addressed. Human Rights Watch, At a Glance: Global Overview of Cluster Munition (See fact sheet, The Convention on Cluster Munitions: a new treaty to end Policy and Practice, Human Rights Watch, Washington D.C., USA, October 2007 (HRW, Overview). the suffering caused by cluster munitions). Cluster Munition Coalition, The problem, http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/the-problem/

International Committee of the Red Cross 19, avenue de la Paix 1202 Geneva, Switzerland T + 41 22 734 60 01 F + 41 22 733 20 57 For further information, visit E-mail: [email protected] icrc.org © ICRC, July 2010 www.icrc.org/eng/cluster-munitions 0946/002 07.2010 THE CONVENTION ON CLUSTER MUNITIONS a new treaty to end the suffering caused by cluster munitions

What does the Convention do?

The Convention comprehensively bans a party to the Convention. If a State cluster munitions by prohibiting their use, is unable to do so, it may request production, stockpiling and transfer. It extensions for additional periods of also prohibits States Parties from assisting, five years. States must conduct risk REUTERS/Damir Sagoli encouraging or inducing anyone to education programmes to ensure undertake any activity prohibited by the awareness among civilians who live Convention's provisions. in or around areas affected by cluster overview munitions. In response to the death, injury and In addition to the aforementioned suffering caused by cluster munitions, prohibitions, States that possess or n Providing assistance for victims – The are affected by cluster munitions have Convention contains robust provisions 107 States negotiated and adopted specific obligations to destroy stockpiles, on assistance for victims. Each State the Convention on Cluster Munitions to clear cluster munition remnants and to Party that has cluster munition victims at a diplomatic conference in Dublin, provide assistance for victims. on its territory or under its control Ireland in May 2008. must provide for their medical care and n The destruction of stockpiles – Each physical rehabilitation, psychological State is required – within eight years of support and social and economic The Convention is an important becoming a party to the Convention inclusion. In addition, the State must addition to international – to destroy the stockpiles of cluster assess domestic needs in these areas humanitarian law (IHL). It establishes munitions under its jurisdiction and and develop plans and mobilize new rules to ensure that cluster control. This deadline may be extended resources to meet them. This is the first for an additional four years and further time that such a detailed provision on munitions are no longer used and extensions of four years may also be assistance for victims has been included that the existing humanitarian granted in exceptional circumstances. in an IHL treaty. problems associated with these States may also retain a limited number weapons are addressed. Importantly, of cluster munitions and explosive It is worth noting that not only those submunitions for training in clearance who are killed or injured by cluster the Convention has specific provisions and for the development of destruction munitions are defined as "cluster which aim to meet the needs of techniques. munition victims"; the term also covers victims and affected communities. families and communities that have n Clearance of cluster munition suffered socio-economic and other The Convention enters into force on remnants – Each State must also consequences. This broad definition 1 August 2010. clear its territory of unexploded reflects a growing consensus among submunitions and abandoned cluster those concerned with weapons munitions within 10 years of becoming removal. ICRC How are cluster munitions defined in the Will the Convention Convention? make a difference?

Under the terms of the Convention, a cluster munition is a conventional munition When implemented, the Convention will that disperses or releases explosive submunitions: small, unguided explosives or prevent tremendous human suffering bomblets (each weighing less than 20 kilograms) that are designed to explode by ensuring that hundreds of millions prior to, on or after impact. of cluster submunitions are never used and are destroyed. In addition, the Weapons with fewer than 10 explosive submunitions are not considered to be Convention will directly benefit affected cluster munitions as long as each submunition weighs more than four kilograms, communities through increased efforts can detect and engage a specific target object and is equipped with electronic to clear areas contaminated by cluster self-destruct and self-deactivating features. Also excluded are weapons that are munitions, thus saving lives and returning designed to dispense flares, smoke or pyrotechnics as well as munitions designed land for agriculture and other productive to produce electrical or electronic effects. The Convention neither prohibits nor activities. It will also help the victims of restricts the use of these weapons; however, their use is regulated by the general cluster munitions through an increased provisions of IHL. commitment to various types of support, including medical care, rehabilitation, psychological support and social and economic inclusion. All States Parties to How will implementation and compliance the Convention have a responsibility for with the Convention be monitored? ensuring its success. When they are in a position to do so, even States that do not possess stockpiles or have cluster The Convention includes a variety of mechanisms for promoting its implementation munition remnants on their territory must and ensuring that its provisions are respected. provide assistance for affected countries to help implement the Convention. In the interests of transparency, States are required to report annually to the UN Secretary-General on a range of matters including the types and numbers of cluster In addition to affecting the behaviour and munitions destroyed, the extent and the location of areas contaminated by cluster practice of States Parties, the Convention munitions, the status of clearance programmes, the measures taken to provide on Cluster Munitions will also have risk education and warnings for civilians, the status of programmes for providing an impact on States that have not yet assistance for victims and the measures taken domestically to prevent and suppress signed or ratified the instrument. With violations of the Convention. Reporting on these matters also provides an overview the adoption and entry into force of this of the status of implementation. Convention, many countries, the media and the public now consider cluster In addition, meetings of States Parties will be held regularly to review the munitions to be a stigmatized weapon. effectiveness of the Convention. Such meetings are an important opportunity to It will be more difficult for any State or review progress in implementation, discuss best practices and resolve issues related armed group to use cluster munitions in to implementation and compliance. the future.

Should concerns arise about a State’s compliance with the Convention, clarification With the adoption and entry into may be sought through the UN Secretary-General. If necessary, the issue may be force of the Convention on Cluster submitted to a meeting of States Parties, which can adopt procedures or specific Munitions, international humanitarian mechanisms to clarify the situation and draft a resolution. In any dispute involving law establishes a comprehensive two or more States Parties, efforts shall be made to settle the issue by negotiation framework for preventing and ending or other peaceful means of their choice, such as referring the matter to the the civilian suffering caused by "weapons International Court of Justice in accordance with the Court’s Statute. that can't stop killing." The 1997 Mine Ban Convention, the 2003 Protocol on Finally, each State Party has an obligation to take all appropriate legal, Explosive Remnants of War and the 2008 administrative and other measures to implement the Convention. This includes Convention on Cluster Munitions together the imposition of penal sanctions to prevent and suppress violations by persons, constitute a far-reaching response to or on territory, under the State's jurisdiction or control. This often requires the the humanitarian consequences of adoption of domestic legislation as well as amendments to regulations governing unexploded and abandoned ordnance the armed forces. and provide hope of a future when communities will be able to live without the threat of these weapons.