Switzerland welcomes the adoption of a new convention on cluster munitions
Bern, 30.05.2008 - Switzerland is convinced of the need for a new set of standards in international humanitarian law to end the suffering inflicted on civilian populations by the use of cluster bombs. For this reason, it took part in the Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions, which took place from 19-30 May 2008, and actively contributed to the historic adoption of the new Cluster Munitions Convention.
The new Convention provides for a general ban on these weapons. A very restrictive exception has been made for munitions that do not have the same dangerous dispersion effect and for this reason are not considered to be cluster munitions. The Convention sets a deadline of eight years for the destruction of existing stocks of these weapons. It also includes ambitious and high standards on assistance to victims, an issue in which Switzerland took a leading role.
More than 110 states attended the Dublin Conference. The head of the Swiss delegation, Ambassador Christine Schraner Burgener, was appointed facilitator by the Presidency of the Conference. In this capacity, Ambassador Schraner Burgener was able to present a consensus text on one of the major problems of the negotiations: relations with states that are not party to the Convention in the context of international military operations. This achievement contributed greatly to the success of the Dublin Conference.
The signing ceremony of the Cluster Munitions Convention will take place in Oslo on 2 December 2008.
The Convention will enter in force in Switzerland following the decision of the Federal Council concerning its ratification and approval by the federal parliament.
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