Peace and Security: New use of cluster bombs threatens global ban, report warns

By R Anil Kumar

UN, September 9. Cluster bomblets continue to kill thousands of civilians, mostly children, and the new use of this predominantly outlawed class of weapons is threatening efforts to universally ban them, according to a new report published on September 9.

While there have been no reports or allegations of new use of cluster munitions by any State party since the convention was adopted in May 2008, the weapons were deployed in Ukraine by both Russian and Ukrainian forces in 2023 and through the time of publication of the latest monitoring report.

The number of manufacturers has increased to 17 from 16 since 2023, with Myanmar now producing cluster munitions alongside the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Brazil, China, Egypt, Greece, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Türkiye and the US, none of whom are party to the global treaty.

New use of these weapons was also recorded in Myanmar and Syria during the reporting period, according to the report, which provides an overview of the implementation of and adherence to the convention.

Deadly legacy

Like landmines, cluster munitions leave behind a deadly legacy felt long after battles end. Many of Civilians accounted for 93 per cent of the global casualties from cluster munitions in 2023, according to the 100-page Cluster Munition Monitor 2024, produced by the Cluster Munition Coalition, an international civil society group working in over 100 countries.

Children made up nearly half of all people killed and injured by cluster munition remnants in 2023.

“Actions by countries that have not banned cluster munitions are putting civilians at risk and threatening the integrity and universality of the international treaty prohibiting these abhorrent weapons,” said Tamar Gabelnick, director of the Cluster Munition Coalition, which will present the report to the 12th Meeting of States parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions at the UN in Geneva on 10 to 13 September.

Indeed, children made up nearly half of all people killed and injured by cluster munition remnants in 2023, and attacks also had direct and devastating impacts on civilian objects, including schools and hospitals, according to the report.

“It is imperative that all countries join the Convention on Cluster Munitions and help fulfil its goal of putting an end to suffering and casualties caused by cluster munitions,” Mr. Gabelnick said.

New violations reported

A total of 112 States have joined the ban, including South Sudan, the last country to accede to the convention, which prohibits cluster munitions and requires destruction of stockpiles and clearance of areas contaminated by cluster munition remnants – as well as the provision of risk education and assistance to victims.

While there these submunitions fail to explode on initial impact, leaving remnants that indiscriminately injure and kill for years until they are cleared and destroyed.

According to Cluster Munition Monitor 2024, a total of 28 countries and other areas are contaminated or suspected to be contaminated by cluster munition remnants, including 10 States parties to the convention.

Contamination from cluster munition remnants makes it perilous and difficult to access agricultural land, further endangering lives and livelihoods in affected areas.

This was particularly notable in Ukraine, where there is indication that more agricultural land is contaminated by cluster munition remnants than by anti-personnel and anti-vehicle landmines combined.

In war-torn Gaza, which has been bombarded daily by Israeli forces for almost one year, clearing unexploded ordnance would take years and cost millions of dollars to make the land safe, experts told UN News earlier this year.

Alarming consequences and casualties

Cluster munitions cause severe blast, burn and fragmentation injuries that result in life-long medical and rehabilitation needs for most survivors.

While some progress has been made in victim assistance, the report stated that significant challenges persist, particularly in countries like Afghanistan and Lebanon, where healthcare systems are strained.

The new report also found that Ukraine recorded the highest number of annual cluster munition casualties in the world for the second consecutive year, though the actual number of casualties is thought to be significantly higher than the number recorded.

Cluster munitions have killed and injured over one thousand people in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022.

Updates on clearing efforts

The report flagged a decrease in the area cleared of cluster munition remnants in 2023 compared to the previous year.

It further highlighted the need for sustained funding and support to ensure that contaminated States parties can meet their clearance obligations.

“States that have joined the convention face ongoing challenges in clearing land contaminated by cluster munition remnants due to limited funding and capacities and difficulties in accessing contaminated areas because of security issues or challenging terrain,” said Katrin Atkins, editor for contamination, clearance and risk education reporting in the Cluster Munition Monitor.

Major milestone

In August 2023, Bosnia and Herzegovina became the ninth State party to complete clearance of cluster munition contaminated areas, in accordance with the obligations set by the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

The convention reached a major milestone last December when Peru completed the destruction of its stockpiled cluster munitions, becoming the last State party to complete this obligation.

That means States parties have now collectively destroyed 100 per cent of their declared cluster munition stocks, destroying 1.49 million cluster munitions and 179 million submunitions.

New trends unfolding

However, alarming developments are unfolding, Ms. Atkins explained.

“In many affected States parties, more contaminated areas are discovered even as the known ones are cleared,” she said.

In addition, Lithuania enacted a law in July 2024 approving its withdrawal from the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

The withdrawal will take effect six months after Lithuania fulfils the steps for withdrawal required by the convention unless the country retracts this measure or is engaged in armed conflict.

FAST FACTS

Here are some highlights from the latest Cluster Munition Monitor:

An annual resolution in the UN General Assembly promoting the Convention on Cluster Munitions was adopted in December 2023 by 148 states, including 37 non-signatories. Russia was the only country to vote against it.

New casualties from cluster munitions were recorded in 2023 in nine countries: Azerbaijan, Iraq, Laos, Lebanon, Mauritania, Myanmar, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen.

Of the total 219 reported casualties in 2023, 118 were the result of cluster munition attacks while 101 were caused by cluster munition remnants.

Only 10 States parties to the convention are retaining live cluster munitions for permitted research and training purposes, of which Germany has the highest number.

Contaminated States parties reported the clearance of 83.91 km² of cluster munition contaminated land during 2023, resulting in the destruction of at least 73,348 cluster munition remnants, primarily unexploded submunitions and unexploded bomblets.

There is evidence of new cluster munition production in India, Myanmar, Russia and the Republic of Korea during the reporting period.

Between July 2023 and April 2024, President Joe Biden approved five transfers to Ukraine of US cluster munitions delivered by 155mm artillery projectiles and by ballistic missiles.

33 States parties have specific implementation laws for the convention.

Another 22 States parties are planning or are in the process of drafting, reviewing or adopting specific legislative measures to implement the convention, while 43 States parties regard their existing laws and regulations as sufficient.