It will be counter-productive to agree to a new protocol that sets far lower standards than the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Instead, we urge states that are not yet ready to join the Convention on Cluster Munitions to consider, on the international level, the option of a politically-binding declaration that commits them to undertake measures of humanitarian benefit.

The International Campaign to Ban Landmines sees the Second Review Conference—the Cartagena Summit for a Mine-Free World—as a special moment in the life of the Mine Ban Treaty. It is a critical opportunity to assess if the treaty is delivering on its promise to mine-affected communities and to elaborate concretely on how to address the many issues still preventing fulfillment of this promise.

2009 marks ten years since the entry into force of the Mine Ban Treaty. Antipersonnel mines have now been so thoroughly stigmatized that it is time for the remaining 39 states not party to the treaty to join. Doing so will bring great humanitarian and political benefit, with little to no cost in giving up an outmoded and outcast weapon. It is not too late to get on the right side of humanity and history.

We are writing to urge the United States to participate in the Second Review Conference of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, which opens in Cartagena, Colombia on November 30, 2009. Human Rights Watch recommends that the United States initiate a review of US policy on joining the Mine Ban Treaty and reengage on this issue by participating in the Cartagena Summit. We urge the US to fulfill its long-held intention to join the Mine Ban Treaty.

The United States should participate in a milestone meeting of the international treaty banning antipersonnel landmines and make a commitment to the join the agreement.

During Israel's recent Gaza offensive, Israeli soldiers unlawfully shot and killed 11 Palestinian civilians, including five women and four children, who were in groups waving white flags to convey their civilian status.

Hamas should repudiate unlawful rocket attacks against Israeli population centers and hold those responsible for them to account.