"UK risks undermining crucial talks on cluster bomb treaty": Oxfam

Getting a comprehensive ban is essential to prevent future civilian deaths and injuries resulting from the use of cluster bombs.

They are calling on Scots MP and Secretary of State for Defence, Des Browne, to change the UK's position. The UK Government is maintaining that two types of cluster munitions that it holds in stock should be exempted from the treaty. If adopted in a treaty, such loopholes would weaken the protection provided to civilian populations and give arms manufacturers easy ways to work around the ban.

The call for a change of heart comes in advance of final intergovernmental negotiations taking place in Dublin next month, which will draw up an international treaty to "prohibit cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians."

Cluster bombs are designed to break open in midair, saturating an area the size of several football fields. Anybody in that area, military or civilian is very likely to be killed or seriously injured. As so many of the cluster bombs fail to work properly, huge quantities are left on the ground presenting a risk to people in the area long after the conflict has ended.

Commenting the Head of Oxfam Scotland, Judith Robertson, said: "Des Browne MP, has the chance to halt future deaths and injury from cluster bombs. The Defence Secretary can and must take action to ensure that the UK's current stance on cluster bombs, which is to exempt several from the ban, is amended in favour of a complete ban.

"These weapons indiscriminately kill civilians, with children especially vulnerable. Inserting loopholes in the treaty now will inevitably mean further cluster bomb fatalities and injuries in the future. Oxfam know from long experience how the aftermath of conflict exacerbates poverty in communities worldwide, that is why we are so keen to ensure that there is a comprehensive ban on cluster bombs."

Arms control campaigners, Mick North, whose five year old daughter Sophie was killed at Dunblane in 1996, and David Grimason, whose two year old son Alistair was shot dead in a Turkish café in 2003, are also calling on Des Browne to rethink the UK position.

Mick North said: "One third of known cluster bomb casualties are children. This figure rises to two thirds in South East Asia. As a father who lost his child to misuse of arms I know the pain and grief caused. It is incumbent on the UK to do all it can to ensure more children don't die as a result of cluster bombs, and more parents aren't left grieving the loss of their innocent children. Loopholes or exceptions simply aren't acceptable."

David Grimason added: "In 2006 I met with Des Browne to hand over the Control Arms petition calling for an International Arms Trade Treaty. Mr Browne gave his support and since then the UK has championed the need for such a treaty. It thus seems very inconsistent to argue for loopholes to this specific treaty on cluster bombs, and I call on him to change his mind."

Simon Conway, Director of Landmine Action, and former Seaforth and Cameron Highlander, said: "The loopholes proposed by the UK would allow cluster munitions to continue to cause unacceptable civilian harm. Now is the time for our government to show global leadership. They should listen to the nations of the developing world, who are calling for an outright ban. They should put our shared interest in protecting civilian lives ahead of these outdated and discredited weapons."

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