Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged international leaders to bolster the global ban on cluster munitions, spotlighting the ongoing humanitarian threats posed by these weapons. This appeal followed the Cluster Munition Coalition’s (CMC) latest report, emphasizing the urgent need for states utilizing or manufacturing such munitions to join the treaty without delay. Mark Hiznay, HRW’s associate director for crisis, conflict, and arms, highlighted the devastating toll on civilians, who continue to suffer injuries or fatalities from cluster munitions, including remnants from decades-old conflicts. According to the convention’s provisions, nations should discourage the deployment of these indiscriminate weapons and enhance global condemnation of their use. Read more.
These weapons, notorious for dispersing explosive submunitions across vast areas, fail to differentiate between combatants and civilians. Often, unexploded munitions linger, posing hazards similar to landmines. The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, an international treaty prohibiting these weapons’ use, production, storage, and transfer, saw a significant challenge recently when Lithuania became the first state to withdraw. This move, occurring in March, provoked formal condemnation from 47 nations. Despite such challenges, compliance among the 112 treaty state parties remains robust, having destroyed over 1.49 million cluster munitions and 179 million submunitions by 2023.
Nations not adhering to the convention, including Russia and Ukraine, have reportedly continued to deploy cluster munitions throughout 2024 and 2025. Reports indicate seven transfers of cluster munitions from the United States to Ukraine since mid-2023. Recent accusations against Iran and apparent admissions from Thailand’s military over cluster munitions use in regional conflicts further underscore the treaty’s significance. For HRW, promoting stringent adherence to the treaty and encouraging non-member states to participate is crucial to preventing further civilian harm. Additional insights from the United Nations and Reuters reinforce the call for global unity against these weapons.