CMC Says More States Pledge to Join Treaty with End of Global Conference

1. We, the representatives of the States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, together with representatives from other States present as signatories, the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Cluster Munition Coalition, and other international and national organizations and institutions, gathered for the Second Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Beirut, Lebanon, reaffirm our commitment to end the harm caused by cluster munitions, working, "together for a safer life".

2. We note with satisfaction the results of the First Meeting of States Parties, held in Vientiane, Lao PDR and the commitments in the Vientiane Declaration and the Vientiane Action Plan. We endeavor to build upon and advance those commitments through our work at the Second Meeting of States Parties and beyond.

3. We are encouraged that States are making progress in implementing the Convention. As reflected in the Beirut Progress Report, stockpiles are being destroyed, contaminated land is being cleared, more efforts are being made to assist cluster munition victims, and cooperation and assistance is being provided.

4. At the same time we acknowledge the challenges set out in the Beirut Progress
Report and we resolve to overcome these challenges, recalling State Parties' commitments made under the five-year Vientiane Action Plan to progress clearance and stockpile destruction, expand coverage of services for victims and survivors and increase the level of resources provided for these tasks.

5. Meeting in Lebanon, another country severely affected by cluster munitions, we
witness the devastating effects of this weapon on individuals, their families and
communities. We are reminded of the importance of advancing our work to address the problems of cluster munitions faced by the Lebanese people, and many others around the world. Thus, bound by the provision enshrined in the Convention, we, the States Parties reaffirm our commitment to fulfill the Convention's obligations without delay.

6. The leadership shown by Lao PDR, Lebanon, the many survivors of cluster
munitions and all those affected by this weapon continues to be a key driver of our success. The extent to which affected communities receive the assistance they need will be a key measure of our success.

7. We deplore the use of cluster munitions in recent conflicts and indeed, we condemn the use of cluster munitions that causes unacceptable harm to civilian populations and objects, by any actor. Such acts run counter to the spirit and aim of the Convention and exacerbate the humanitarian problems already caused by prior use of these weapons. We call upon all those who continue to use cluster munitions, as well as those who develop, produce, otherwise acquire, assist, encourage and induce their production, stockpile, retain and transfer these weapons, to cease now and to join us in the task of eradicating them.

8. We welcome the [61] States that have ratified or acceded to the Convention,
especially the [15] States that have joined the Convention since the First Meeting of States Parties. We also recognize the [48] States that have joined our efforts by signing the Convention. We call on them to ratify as soon as possible and urge all non-signatory States to accede so as to ensure that the Convention reaches its full potential in the shortest possible timeframe. Meeting in Lebanon, we note few countries in the Middle East and North Africa have joined the Convention and urge all countries in the region, and beyond, to join as soon as possible. Our aim is universal adherence to the Convention.

9. We welcome the 2012 intersessional work programme and the plans to establish, by the Third Meeting of States Parties, an implementation support unit as an important mechanism that will facilitate the work of States Parties to implement the Convention and fulfill the commitments in the Vientiane Action Plan, including time-bound elements in the areas of clearance, stockpile destruction and the continuing need to provide assistance to victims.

10. We acknowledge that the progress made since the First Meeting of States Parties and throughout the Oslo Process is the result of the successful partnership between States, international organizations and civil society. Preserving this partnership is a prerequisite to maintaining and furthering implementation, universalization and the progress achieved. Together, we are compelled to do more, for as long as people remain at risk, to accomplish our collective goal - a world free of cluster munitions.


Source: Cluster Munition Coalition Press Release, Edited by moqawama.org team