Myths and Realities about Cluster Munitions

Human Rights Watch is urging all nations to support the new Norwegian-led initiative to conclude in 2008 an international treaty prohibiting cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. Many countries still unjustifiably defend cluster munitions as essential weapons, while failing to acknowledge fully their negative humanitarian impact. In this new document, Human Rights Watch debunks eight popular myths about the utility and legality of use of cluster munitions during armed conflict, and about potential solutions to the dangers posed by cluster munitions.