• Cluster Bombs: Nations Reject Weakening of Global Ban
    Nov 25, 2011

    An attempt by the United States and others to weaken the comprehensive ban on cluster munitions has failed. The effort by the US and other users and stockpilers of cluster munitions to create a new protocol to the 1980 Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) was rejected on November 25, 2011, in Geneva after more than 50 states said there was no consensus for adopting it.  

  • US/UN: Don't Back Off of Cluster Bomb Ban
    Nov 11, 2011
    The United States and other countries that have not banned cluster munitions should stop trying to create a new international law explicitly permitting use of some of the weapons. A two-week conference of the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), at which the weaker law will be discussed, will open on November 14, 2011, in Geneva.
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  • Cluster Munitions

    Cluster munitions are inaccurate and unreliable weapons that by their very nature pose unacceptable dangers to civilians.  They pose an immediate threat during conflict by randomly scattering thousands of submunitions or "bomblets" over a vast area, and they continue to take even more civilian lives and limbs long after a conflict has ended, as hundreds of submunitions may fail to explode upon impact, littering the landscape with landmine-like "duds." Over 110 countries have responded to this humanitarian threat by joining to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, an international treaty prohibiting the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of cluster munitions. The treaty requires destruction of stockpiles of the weapon within eight years and clearance of affected areas within 10 years, and it establishes a strong framework for assistance to cluster munition victims. Human Rights Watch is campaigning to ensure that more states join the Convention on Cluster Munitions and that it is implemented strongly and without delay.

    Read more about which states have taken action to eliminate cluster munitions in Cluster Munition Monitor. 

Reports

Cluster Munitions

  • Cluster Bombs: Nations Reject Weakening of Global Ban
    Nov 25, 2011

    An attempt by the United States and others to weaken the comprehensive ban on cluster munitions has failed. The effort by the US and other users and stockpilers of cluster munitions to create a new protocol to the 1980 Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) was rejected on November 25, 2011, in Geneva after more than 50 states said there was no consensus for adopting it.  

  • Statement on the Draft CCW Protocol on Cluster Munitions
    Nov 24, 2011

    Steve Goose, arms division director at Human Rights Watch and chair of the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC), delivered a statement on the Draft CCW Protocol on Cluster Munitions.

  • Statement on the Chair's Second Revised Draft CCW Protocol on Cluster Munitions
    Nov 23, 2011
    Steve Goose, arms division director at Human Rights Watch and chair of the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC), delivered a statement on the Chair's Second Revised Draft CCW Protocol on Cluster Munitions.
  • A Threat to International Law
    Nov 21, 2011

    The proposed CCW protocol poses a threat to the ban on cluster munitions that has been much discussed and should continue to be. But the problem does not end there. The proposed protocol would also have serious implications for international law.   

  • Statement on Chair's First Revised Draft CCW Protocol on Cluster Munitions
    Nov 21, 2011

    Steve Goose, arms division director at Human Rights Watch and chair of the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC), delivered a statement on the Chair's First Revised Draft CCW Protocol on Cluster Munitions.

  • Where is the Evidence?
    Nov 18, 2011

    The belief that the draft Protocol VI would have an immediate and significant humanitarian impact requires a leap of faith. That is because little real evidence has been presented. There have been a lot of assertions, but very few facts.

  • General Statement at the Fourth Review Conference of the CCW
    Nov 15, 2011
    Steve Goose, arms division director at Human Rights Watch and chair of the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC), delivered a statement during the General Exchange of Views at the Fourth Review Conference of the Convention on Conventional Weapons in Geneva.
  • The United States Aims Low on Cluster Munitions
    Nov 15, 2011
    Steve Goose, arms division Director at Human Rights Watch and chair of the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC), discusses the weaknesses of draft protocol VI (on cluster munitions) of the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW). The Fourth Review Conference of the CCW is held in Geneva from November 14-25, 2011.
  • From Good to Bad
    Nov 13, 2011
    This memorandum to the delegates of the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) Fourth Review Conference analyses the draft protocol on cluster munitions, which will be discussed during a meeting in Geneva from November 14-25, 2011.
  • US/UN: Don't Back Off of Cluster Bomb Ban
    Nov 11, 2011
    The United States and other countries that have not banned cluster munitions should stop trying to create a new international law explicitly permitting use of some of the weapons. A two-week conference of the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), at which the weaker law will be discussed, will open on November 14, 2011, in Geneva.
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