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The Convention on ClusterMunitions is the only way

It has to be reiterated that ICBL-CMC has always called on Russia,China, the U.S. and all other statesto adhere to these important dis-

armament and humanitarian con-ventions. According to HandicapInternational, as part of the world-wide coalition against mines andcluster munitions, the accession tothe CCM is the only solution todefinitely ban the weapon andavoid further victims. A Protocolon cluster munitions within theframework of the Convention onCertain Conventional Weapons(CCW) will not only weaken but

even undermine the standards setby this convention. Diplomats inthose (endless) negotiations inGeneva may consider what hap-pens in Brussels, where severalMembers of the European Parlia-ment from States not yet Party tothe CCM voted in favor of theCCM. With this motion in hand,the European Union and all EUMember States that adhered to theConvention should speak out andmake clear that in a world recently

shocked by the use of mines andcluster munitions, any ambiguitywill add grit to the mill of usersand producers.

Editorial – On 24 May 2011, the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament voted on the amended report on“Progress on Mine Action” showing its continuous support for mine action in general and the universalization of the conven- tions on antipersonnel mines and cluster munitions which has been included in the text. The adoption of the report by theEuropean Parliament will be a clear message to the European

Union Member States that still have to adhere to the Mine BanTreaty (MBT) or the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM). EU Member State, Finland still has to accede while Poland has to ratify the MBT. Those states as well as Latvia, Estonia, Roma- nia, Greece, Slovakia have to adhere to the CCM. while Cyprus,the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy and Sweden have to ratify the CCM. Therefore the report calls on the EU and its Member States to promote the universalization of both the MBT and theCCM. 

Call on Europe for more support to the Mine Ban Treaty and theConvention on Cluster Munitions 

An Update by Handicap International Belgium

Issue 29, June 2011

© Sebastian BozadaClearing cluster munitions in Laos

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The implementation of both treaties is challengingEurope’s commitment to hu-manitarian values while deal-

ing with financial crises, theelimination of an EU budgetline for mine action and adrop in overall EU fundingfor mine action.

The EP Committee on ForeignAffairs calls on the EU to nego-tiate with China and Russia todestroy millions of mines theyhave stockpiled while the CMChas always urged states to de-stroy their cluster munitions

too. Over the past years theEuropean Commission as wellas EU Member States spent alarge amount of money in

clearance worldwide whichshould continue until the workhas been done. Up to now, thereare still mine and cluster muni-

tions victims with most civilians,among them a high proportion of children. However, even whenthere are no further casualties,hundreds of thousands of victimswill need targeted care and sup-port over many years, they donot have fully access to till date,as several reports by HandicapInternational have demonstrated.Handicap International calls onthe European Commission to in-crease victim assistance funding

and to give clear information onvictim assistance funding withinbroader development programs.

On the website of Handicap In-ternational Belgium, you will find:HIB Updates on the Convention onCluster Munitions, the Mine BanTreaty, the Convention on theRights of Persons with Disabilities,

Survivor Inclusion, Victim Assis-tance and Victim Assistance Fun-ding. "For Your Information" is anHIB Update on reports, publica-tions, articles, video's, films,blogs, websites etc. on the MineBan Treaty, the Convention onCluster Munitions, the Conventionon the Rights of Persons with Dis-abilities, Armed Violence in gen-eral, Survivors, Ban Advocates, Vic-tim Assistance etc.

www.handicapinternational.be/fr/

policy

For more information

Victim Assistance Funding remains crucial

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Contact and coordination: Hildegarde Vansintjan, Advocacy Officer, Handicap International vzw-asbl, Belgium.Phone: + 32 2 233 01 06 / Mobile: + 32 485 111 460 / Fax: + 32 2 230 60 30 / Spastraat 67 / 67, Rue de Spa / B -1000 Brussels Belgium / hildegarde.vansintjan@handicap.be

Handicap International is an international organisation specialised in the field of disability. Non- 

governmental, non-religious, non-political and non-profit making, it works alongside people with dis- 

abilities, whatever the context, offering them assistance and supporting them in their efforts to become

self-reliant. Since its creation, the organisation has set up programmes in approximately 60 countries 

and intervened in many emergency situations. It has eight national associations (Belgium, Canada,

France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States) which provide human

and financial resources, manage projects and raise awareness of Handicap International's actions and 

campaigns. More: www.handicapinternational.be 

© Tim DirvenCluster munitions

Victim assistance in Laos