Churches Praise Governments' Treaty to Ban Cluster Bombs

At talks in Dublin over the last two weeks, governments have drafted the text for a treaty to ban the use of cluster bombs. This week the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown has committed the UK to withdrawing the remaining two cluster munitions from its arsenal.

The Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have for some time campaigned for a full ban on cluster munitions. Today they issued a joint statement welcoming the outcome of the Dublin summit.

Graham Sparkes, Head of Faith & Unity, the Baptist Union of Great Britain says; “the churches have been calling for such a treaty for a long time. Cluster bombs kill indiscriminately and continue to do so long after fighting has stopped, harming those who are already living in a vulnerable situation following the conflict.”

In the two months after the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah on average three civilians were killed every day by unexploded cluster bombs. One third of these deaths were children.

Simon Loveitt, the United Reformed Church’s Spokesperson on Public Issues, says; “The agreement in Dublin offers hope for a future without such weapons and the chance to offer improved protection for civilians during and after conflict. In the past, the UK has been a significant user of cluster munitions. The UK Government’s support for a complete ban is therefore particularly important."

However, Steve Hucklesby, Methodist Secretary for International Affairs, warns that there is still much to be done; “The work is not yet finished. The strength of this treaty will largely depend on encouraging more governments to support it and take the important steps to phase out the stockpiling and use of these weapons.”

Information about the Churches’ campaign on cluster bombs can be found at:
www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/clustermunitions


While it is very good news that more than 100 countries signed this reaty, it is still worrying that some of the world's main producers and stockpilers - including the US, Russia and China - oppose the move. Our prayers and campaigning are still needed there!

Churches call for full ban on cluster bombs

On the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Mine Ban Treaty the Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church and the Baptist Union of Great Britain call on the UK Government to end their use of cluster bombs by UK forces. The churches are also asking the Foreign Secretary David Miliband to actively support an international treaty to ban such weapons.

Cluster bombs are air or ground launched devices that scatter smaller bombs (or submunitions) over a large area. The submunitions that fail to explode pose a unique threat to civilians. These unexploded bombs effectively create minefields and maim and kill children or adults who disturb them later on. In the two months after the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, three or four civilians were killed, on average, every day by unexploded cluster bombs. On average, a child died each day as a result of these weapons.

Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, the Revd Dr Stephen Orchard, says; “Cluster bombs kill and maim civilians indiscriminately and go on killing long after the fighting has stopped. The coming year provides us with a unique opportunity to strengthen international humanitarian law and to provide improved protection for civilians during and after conflict.”

Earlier this year, the Government committed to the Oslo Process – a new international process to agree a treaty on cluster bombs – and has withdrawn two types of cluster bombs from its stockpiles.

But the Revd David Deeks, General Secretary of the Methodist Church, says there is still much more to be done; “Important progress has been made, but that’s no reason to stop now. The UK still retains other types of cluster bomb, which are just as inhumane and leave behind a deadly legacy. It’s time for the Government to act on the promises made earlier this year and show that it means business.”

The Churches have also published campaign information online at www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/clustermunitions with advice on how people can take action, from emailing the Foreign Secretary or writing to their MP to getting others to take action.

Jonathan Edwards, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, says; “This resource is a great starting point for anyone interested in getting these terrible weapons banned for good. Everyone can do something to make a difference, whether they have just two minutes of time to spare, or twenty minutes.”

Source: http://www.methodistchurch.org.uk/news