AN INTERNATIONAL convention banning the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster bombs, which was negotiated in Dublin in 2008, entered into force yesterday.
The provisions of the treaty are now legally binding on the 37 states that have ratified it. A further 69 states have signed the convention and many of those are close to ratification.
More than 100 states adopted the landmark ban at a conference hosted by Irish diplomats at Croke Park in May 2008. Ireland played a leading role in drafting the convention and steering it towards adoption.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin hailed the coming into force of the treaty as “cause for great celebration” yesterday. “A new international norm has been established, stigmatising cluster munitions and ultimately making their use unthinkable,” he said.
Ireland will continue to play a major role in encouraging the implementation of the convention. The first meeting of signatory nations will take place in Laos in November. An Irish member of staff has been provided for the summit support unit. “The [Laos] meeting must send a clear signal to the international community that implementation of the convention will be pursued with the same energy and vigour that characterised its negotiation,” Mr Martin said.
Ireland has contributed more than €400,000 to Laos’ cluster munitions trust fund and has also committed funding of €250,000 to the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC), an umbrella NGO organisation, to support its work in 2010.
Amnesty International Ireland director Colm O’Gorman welcomed yesterday’s development.