Embargoed until 9:30am CEST, 5 September 2023 Dramatic increase in cluster munition victims highlights need to respect global ban

Tracking progress toward a world free of landmines and cluster munitions Embargoed until 9:30am CEST, 5 September 2023 DOWNLOAD THE REPORT HERE Dramatic increase in cluster munition victims highlights need to respect global ban Annual Monitor report charts progress and set-backs in eradicating cluster munitions (Geneva, 5 September 2023) An alarming rise in the number of civilians killed and injur. [...] “New transfers and use of cluster munitions are of grave concern due to the documented harm to civilians and fact that a majority of countries have banned these weapons,” said Mary Wareham, Ban Policy Editor of Cluster Munition Monitor 2023 and Arms Advocacy Director at Human Rights Watch. [...] “The world cannot afford a cautious or complacent response; governments must unite to firmly condemn any use of cluster munitions by any actor in any circumstance.” The Convention on Cluster Munitions comprehensively prohibits cluster munitions and requires destruction of stockpiles and clearance of areas contaminated by cluster munition remnants, as well as the provision of risk education and ass. [...] “To avoid even more casualties, affected countries need to accelerate the clearance of remnants and to deliver focused awareness campaigns for those most at risk.” Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor is the research and monitoring wing of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL)-Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) a global civil society coalition present in over 100 countries and working. [...] The CMC will distribute the Cluster Munition Monitor 2023 report at the 11th Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions taking place at the United Nations in Geneva from 11-14 September.