Landmines and Cluster Bombs: An Enduring Problem

Landmines and Cluster Bombs:Landmines and Cluster Bombs:An Enduring ProblemAn Enduring Problem

Brief History of LandminesBrief History of Landmines

1414thth century Chinese text, the Huolongjing, century Chinese text, the Huolongjing, describes a mine made of bamboo, black powder, describes a mine made of bamboo, black powder, and lead pellets. It was placed underground.and lead pellets. It was placed underground.

Detonated by a flint device that directed sparks Detonated by a flint device that directed sparks onto a series of fusesonto a series of fuses

Brief History of LandminesBrief History of Landmines In 1500s, fougasse mines In 1500s, fougasse mines

were developed.were developed.

Buried explosives, covered Buried explosives, covered with rocks or metalwith rocks or metal

Detonated by tripwires or by Detonated by tripwires or by long fuseslong fuses

High maintenance, and due to High maintenance, and due to susceptibility of black powder susceptibility of black powder to dampness.to dampness.


First modern, mechanically First modern, mechanically detonated anti-personnel mines detonated anti-personnel mines created by Confederate troops under created by Confederate troops under Brigadier General Gabriel RainesBrigadier General Gabriel Raines

Raines had begun working with Raines had begun working with explosive booby traps in the explosive booby traps in the Seminole Wars in Florida in 1849Seminole Wars in Florida in 1849

Used more reliable and reproducible Used more reliable and reproducible mechanical detonation devicesmechanical detonation devices


Improved mines were Improved mines were designed in Imperial Germany designed in Imperial Germany around 1912around 1912

Designs were copied and Designs were copied and manufactured by all major manufactured by all major participants in the First World participants in the First World WarWar


Antipersonnel mines were first Antipersonnel mines were first used on a large scale in WWIIused on a large scale in WWII

Initially used to protect Initially used to protect antitank mines, to stop them antitank mines, to stop them from being removed by from being removed by enemy soldiersenemy soldiers

Later antipersonnel mines Later antipersonnel mines used to slow or halt enemy used to slow or halt enemy movement, by being placed in movement, by being placed in great numbersgreat numbers

DesignDesign

Triggered by a variety of Triggered by a variety of means (pressure, vibration, means (pressure, vibration, movement, magnetism)movement, magnetism)

Many have an additional Many have an additional touch or tilt trigger, to touch or tilt trigger, to prevent enemy engineers prevent enemy engineers from defusing it.from defusing it.

DesignDesign

Use as little metal as possible, Use as little metal as possible, to make location by metal to make location by metal detectors more difficult. detectors more difficult.

Mines made mostly from Mines made mostly from plastic are also very cheap to plastic are also very cheap to produceproduce

DesignDesign

Wide variety of designsWide variety of designs

Makes detection and Makes detection and disarming very difficultdisarming very difficult

DesignDesign

ClaymoresClaymores

DesignDesign

ClaymoresClaymores

Stake minesStake mines

DesignDesign

ClaymoresClaymores

Stake minesStake mines

Bounding fragmentation Bounding fragmentation minesmines

DesignDesign Often deliberately designed to Often deliberately designed to

maim, rather than killmaim, rather than kill

Stabilizing and evacuating an Stabilizing and evacuating an injured soldier hampers an injured soldier hampers an actively fighting forceactively fighting force

More resources are taking up by More resources are taking up by caring for an injured solder than caring for an injured solder than dealing with a dead soldierdealing with a dead soldier

Cheap and easy to make, around Cheap and easy to make, around $1 each$1 each(can cost more than $1000 to find (can cost more than $1000 to find and destroy)and destroy)

Marking minefieldsMarking minefields

Ideally, minefields laid by Ideally, minefields laid by armies should be well armies should be well marked, to prevent friendly marked, to prevent friendly troops from enteringtroops from entering

All mines locations should be All mines locations should be recorded, since warning signs recorded, since warning signs can be removed or destroyed, can be removed or destroyed, and so safe routes through and so safe routes through the mine fields can be the mine fields can be followed by friendly soldiersfollowed by friendly soldiers

Unreliable markingUnreliable marking

In the “fog of war” protocols are In the “fog of war” protocols are not always accurately followednot always accurately followed

New landmines designed to be New landmines designed to be scattered by helicopter, plane, by scattered by helicopter, plane, by artillery, or ejected from cruise artillery, or ejected from cruise missiles, make precise recording missiles, make precise recording impossibleimpossible

(US air deployed mines have a (US air deployed mines have a self-deactivating design, but self-deactivating design, but reliability is uncertain)reliability is uncertain)

Deliberately unmarked fieldsDeliberately unmarked fields Non-state armies (rebel groups, guerilla fighters) do not reliably Non-state armies (rebel groups, guerilla fighters) do not reliably

uphold these conventionsuphold these conventions

Often, their goal is to spread fear and panic in the community, and Often, their goal is to spread fear and panic in the community, and deliberately terrorize civilians. So mined areas are deliberately deliberately terrorize civilians. So mined areas are deliberately not markednot marked

Such tactics were regularly employed in the Southern African Such tactics were regularly employed in the Southern African conflicts throughout the ’70s and 80’s:conflicts throughout the ’70s and 80’s:Angola, Mozambique, Nambia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, are still Angola, Mozambique, Nambia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, are still plagued with landmines as a result.plagued with landmines as a result.

Landmines are indiscriminateLandmines are indiscriminate

The vast majority of victims are The vast majority of victims are civilians, not soldiers.civilians, not soldiers.

According to the Landmine According to the Landmine Monitor Report 2003, only 15% of Monitor Report 2003, only 15% of reported casualties were military reported casualties were military personnelpersonnel

Mines remain after conflict endsMines remain after conflict ends

Most of the countries where Most of the countries where casualties are reported are at casualties are reported are at peacepeace

In 2002-2003, 41 of the 65 In 2002-2003, 41 of the 65 countries that reported new countries that reported new mine casualties were not mine casualties were not experiencing any armed experiencing any armed conflictconflict

Landmines placed during WWI Landmines placed during WWI sometimes still cause deaths sometimes still cause deaths in parts of Europe and North in parts of Europe and North AfricaAfrica

Long term costs to survivorsLong term costs to survivors Permanent disability is almost Permanent disability is almost

certaincertain

A growing child needs a A growing child needs a prosthetic limb frequently prosthetic limb frequently refitted each year, and few refitted each year, and few can afford thiscan afford this

Many face social exclusion, Many face social exclusion, such as being seen as unfit to such as being seen as unfit to marrymarry

Some children never return to Some children never return to school after their accidentschool after their accident

Long term costs to survivorsLong term costs to survivors A death might cost a family A death might cost a family

their primary breadwinnertheir primary breadwinner

For survivors, vocational For survivors, vocational training and support is often training and support is often unavailableunavailable

Many struggle to make a Many struggle to make a living after their accident, and living after their accident, and become a burden on their become a burden on their familiesfamilies

Victims often end up begging Victims often end up begging on the streetson the streets

Mines hamper recovery after Mines hamper recovery after conflict endsconflict ends

People in some of the poorest People in some of the poorest countries are deprived of their countries are deprived of their productive land and productive land and infrastructureinfrastructure

Farm lands, orchards, Farm lands, orchards, irrigation canals, and wells irrigation canals, and wells may no longer be accessiblemay no longer be accessible

Mines cut off access to Mines cut off access to economically important areas, economically important areas, such as roads, dams, and such as roads, dams, and electricity towerselectricity towers

Mines hamper recovery after Mines hamper recovery after conflict endsconflict ends

Landmines slow repatriation of Landmines slow repatriation of refugees after a conflict ceases, refugees after a conflict ceases, or prevent it altogetheror prevent it altogether

They hamper the delivery of relief They hamper the delivery of relief services, and injure or kill aid services, and injure or kill aid workersworkers

Widespread problemWidespread problem

More than 75 countries are More than 75 countries are affected by undetonated affected by undetonated minesmines

Some of the most Some of the most contaminated places:contaminated places:• Afghanistan, Angola, Afghanistan, Angola,

Burundi, Bosnia & Burundi, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Herzegovina, Cambodia, Chechnya, Cambodia, Chechnya, Colombia, Iraq, Nepal, Colombia, Iraq, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, India, and PakistanIndia, and Pakistan

Widespread problemWidespread problem

Nobody knows how many mines Nobody knows how many mines are still in the ground worldwideare still in the ground worldwide

The actual number is less The actual number is less important than their impact:important than their impact:

It can only take a few mines, or It can only take a few mines, or just the suspicion of their just the suspicion of their presence, to make an area presence, to make an area unusableunusable

TreatiesTreaties Convention on Certain Conventional WeaponsConvention on Certain Conventional Weapons AKA “Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions AKA “Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions

on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects”Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects”

AKA “The CCW”AKA “The CCW”

• Was an amendment to the Geneva Conventions of 1949Was an amendment to the Geneva Conventions of 1949• Concluded in Geneva on October 1980, went in to force in Concluded in Geneva on October 1980, went in to force in

December 1983December 1983• Amended again in 1996Amended again in 1996

CCWCCW Consisted of 5 protocolsConsisted of 5 protocols

Protocol II concerns “Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use Protocol II concerns “Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps, and Other Devices”of Mines, Booby-Traps, and Other Devices”

Prohibits the use of non-self-destructing or non-self-Prohibits the use of non-self-destructing or non-self-deactivating mines outside fenced, monitored, and marked deactivating mines outside fenced, monitored, and marked areasareas

CCWCCW

Unfortunately, CCW lacked specific mechanisms to ensure Unfortunately, CCW lacked specific mechanisms to ensure verification and enforcement of compliance, and had no verification and enforcement of compliance, and had no formal process for resolving disputes about compliance.formal process for resolving disputes about compliance.

The US only signed 2 of the 5 protocols, the minimum The US only signed 2 of the 5 protocols, the minimum required to be considered a signatoryrequired to be considered a signatory

Continue TollContinue Toll

NGOs continued to see toll NGOs continued to see toll mines took in the various mines took in the various communities they had been communities they had been working in, in Africa, Asia, the working in, in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin Middle East, and Latin AmericaAmerica

They knew only a complete They knew only a complete ban would adequately ban would adequately address the problemaddress the problem

The ICBLThe ICBL The International Campaign to The International Campaign to

Ban Land Mines (ICBL) was Ban Land Mines (ICBL) was launched in 1992launched in 1992

Formed from 6 NGOs Formed from 6 NGOs (Handicap International, (Handicap International, Human Rights Watch, Medico Human Rights Watch, Medico International, Mines Advisory International, Mines Advisory Group, Physicians for Human Group, Physicians for Human Rights, and Vietnam Veterans Rights, and Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation)of America Foundation)

Lobbied governments and Lobbied governments and rallied public support for a rallied public support for a complete bancomplete ban

Celebrity SupportCelebrity Support The late Princess Diana The late Princess Diana

focused attention on the focused attention on the problem of landmines, and problem of landmines, and the need for a banthe need for a ban

Visited Angola and Bosnia Visited Angola and Bosnia with mine clearing with mine clearing organizations, and focused organizations, and focused the media spotlight on the the media spotlight on the victimsvictims

Her work brought increased Her work brought increased public support and pressure public support and pressure on governments to sign the on governments to sign the treatytreaty

The Mine Ban TreatyThe Mine Ban Treaty

““The Convention on the The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and Their Personnel Mines and Their Destruction”Destruction”

AKA “The Mine Ban Treaty”AKA “The Mine Ban Treaty”

Signed by 122 governments in Signed by 122 governments in Ottawa, Canada in December Ottawa, Canada in December 19971997

The RequirementsThe Requirements Signatories must stop production and deployment of anti-Signatories must stop production and deployment of anti-

personnel minespersonnel mines

They must destroy all anti-personnel mines in its possession within They must destroy all anti-personnel mines in its possession within 4 years4 years(A small number of mines may remain for purposes of training (A small number of mines may remain for purposes of training mine detection and clearance)mine detection and clearance)

Within 10 years, the country should have cleared all of its mined Within 10 years, the country should have cleared all of its mined areasareas

Mine affected countries are eligible for international assistance for Mine affected countries are eligible for international assistance for mine clearance and victim assistance once they sign the Mine Ban mine clearance and victim assistance once they sign the Mine Ban TreatyTreaty

Signatories to the TreatySignatories to the Treaty

As of August 2007, 155 As of August 2007, 155 State Parties had signedState Parties had signed

Only 40 states remain Only 40 states remain outside the treatyoutside the treaty

Notable exclusions:Notable exclusions:China, Cuba, Iran, North China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Libya, Pakistan, Korea, Libya, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, and United Russia, Syria, and United StatesStates

US Refusal to SignUS Refusal to Sign The US refuses to sign the The US refuses to sign the

treaty because it does not treaty because it does not offer a “Korean exception”offer a “Korean exception”

Argues landmines are crucial Argues landmines are crucial to its strategy in South Koreato its strategy in South Korea

One million mines along the One million mines along the DMZ between North and DMZ between North and South KoreaSouth Korea

Believes it maintains a Believes it maintains a delicate peace by deterring a delicate peace by deterring a North Korean attackNorth Korean attack

US Contribution to the ProblemUS Contribution to the Problem U.S. used antipersonnel mines in U.S. used antipersonnel mines in

Vietnam, Korea, and first Gulf WarVietnam, Korea, and first Gulf War

From 1969-1992, U.S. exported over From 1969-1992, U.S. exported over 5 million antipersonnel mines to 5 million antipersonnel mines to over 30 countriesover 30 countries

Those include Afghanistan, Angola, Those include Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, Iraq, Laos, Lebanon, Cambodia, Iraq, Laos, Lebanon, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Rwanda, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Rwanda, Somalia, and VietnamSomalia, and Vietnam

U.S. made mines have been found U.S. made mines have been found in at least 28 of these mine affected in at least 28 of these mine affected countries or regionscountries or regions

Worldwide RecognitionWorldwide Recognition

The coordinator of the International Campaign to Ban The coordinator of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Jody Williams, won the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Landmines, Jody Williams, won the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for her workfor her work

Current StatusCurrent Status Landmines continue to pose a Landmines continue to pose a

threat to citizensthreat to citizens

The most landmine affected The most landmine affected countries are Afghanistan, countries are Afghanistan, Angola, and CambodiaAngola, and Cambodia

The middle east has been The middle east has been called the “landmine called the “landmine heartland,” with tens of heartland,” with tens of millions of buried landminesmillions of buried landmines

Current StatusCurrent Status

Every 28 minutes, someone Every 28 minutes, someone steps on a landminesteps on a landmine

Landmines are estimated to Landmines are estimated to kill or injure approximately kill or injure approximately 18,000 people every year18,000 people every year

Continued Mine UseContinued Mine Use

Only 2 states continue to Only 2 states continue to deploy new minesdeploy new mines

Myanmar’s military forces Myanmar’s military forces continue to use antipersonnel continue to use antipersonnel mines extensivelymines extensively

Russia continues to use Russia continues to use mines, primarily in Chechnya, mines, primarily in Chechnya, but also in Dagestan and on but also in Dagestan and on the borders of Tajikistan and the borders of Tajikistan and GeorgiaGeorgia

Continued Mine UseContinued Mine Use

Israel may have laid Israel may have laid antipersonnel mines in the antipersonnel mines in the 2006 conflict with South 2006 conflict with South LebanonLebanon

Russian peacekeepers claim Russian peacekeepers claim Georgian military forces laid Georgian military forces laid new landmines, despite its new landmines, despite its moratorium on landmine usemoratorium on landmine use

Cessation of UseCessation of Use Nepal, with its cease-fire in Nepal, with its cease-fire in

20062006

Angola, since the April 2002 Angola, since the April 2002 peace agreementpeace agreement

Sri Lanka, since the cease-fire Sri Lanka, since the cease-fire in 2001in 2001

Rebel use has stopped in Rebel use has stopped in Angola, Sri Lanka, Macedonia, Angola, Sri Lanka, Macedonia, Senegal, and UgandaSenegal, and Uganda

The Bad NewsThe Bad News

13 countries still produce or 13 countries still produce or retain the right to produce retain the right to produce antipersonnel minesantipersonnel mines

Forty countries outside the Forty countries outside the Mine Ban Treaty together Mine Ban Treaty together possess 160 million possess 160 million antipersonnel minesantipersonnel mines

New ProductionNew Production The ICBL identified the The ICBL identified the

following countries as following countries as manufacturing landmines as manufacturing landmines as of August 2004:of August 2004:

• SingaporeSingapore• VietnamVietnam• BurmaBurma• NepalNepal• IndiaIndia• PakistanPakistan• RussiaRussia• CubaCuba• IranIran• North KoreaNorth Korea• United StatesUnited States

US ProductionUS Production

US has failed to adopt sign US has failed to adopt sign the Mine Ban Treaty, or adopt the Mine Ban Treaty, or adopt an official moratoriuman official moratorium

Since US stockpiles are at Since US stockpiles are at capacity, there had not been capacity, there had not been any US based production of any US based production of antipersonnel mines since antipersonnel mines since 19971997

Bush Administration PolicyBush Administration Policy

February 2004, President February 2004, President Bush announced his landmine Bush announced his landmine policypolicy

No intention of joining the No intention of joining the Mine Ban TreatyMine Ban Treaty

Continued development and Continued development and production of antipersonnel production of antipersonnel minesmines(although (although self-destructing/deactivating)self-destructing/deactivating)

Companies Producing MinesCompanies Producing Mines

In the US, no company In the US, no company produces mines from produces mines from beginning to endbeginning to end

Companies only produce Companies only produce component parts, which are component parts, which are assembled in government-assembled in government-owned, contractor operated owned, contractor operated army ammunition plantsarmy ammunition plants

Companies Producing MinesCompanies Producing Mines Seventeen US companies, Seventeen US companies,

formerly involved in formerly involved in producing antipersonnel producing antipersonnel mines, declined to mines, declined to renounce future renounce future production:production:

AAI CorpAAI Corp Allen-BradleyAllen-Bradley Alliant Techsystems, Inc.Alliant Techsystems, Inc. Accudyne CorpAccudyne Corp Ferrulmatic, Inc.Ferrulmatic, Inc. CAPCO, Inc.CAPCO, Inc. Dale Electronics, Inc.Dale Electronics, Inc.

Ensign-Bickford Industries, Ensign-Bickford Industries, Inc.Inc.

General ElectricGeneral Electric Lockheed Martin Corp.Lockheed Martin Corp. Mohawk Electrical Systems, Mohawk Electrical Systems,

Inc.Inc. Nomura Enterprise, Inc.Nomura Enterprise, Inc. Parlex Corp.Parlex Corp. Quantic Industries, Inc.Quantic Industries, Inc. RaytheonRaytheon Thiokol Corp.Thiokol Corp. Vishay SpragueVishay Sprague

New US ProductionNew US Production

In July 2006, Pentagon In July 2006, Pentagon announced it had awarded announced it had awarded contracts to two companies or contracts to two companies or the development of a new the development of a new landmine systemlandmine system(Alliant Techsystems, and (Alliant Techsystems, and Textron Systems)Textron Systems)

Called “the Spider”Called “the Spider”

Deploys triplines, that can be Deploys triplines, that can be activated remotely by a activated remotely by a monitoring soldiermonitoring soldier

May also be activated by the May also be activated by the victim (as in a conventional victim (as in a conventional mine)mine)

New US ProductionNew US Production

Congress stalled the Congress stalled the production by requiring the production by requiring the Pentagon to first study the Pentagon to first study the possible indiscriminate possible indiscriminate consequences of deploying consequences of deploying this weapon.this weapon.

The issue is only delayed until The issue is only delayed until the study is submitted to the study is submitted to CongressCongress

Removing MinesRemoving Mines

Even after production Even after production is halted, mines must is halted, mines must be removed from the be removed from the groundground


Mechanical DevicesMechanical Devices

• Mine flails may only be Mine flails may only be 80% effective (good 80% effective (good enough for military use)enough for military use)


For Humanitarian De-mining, For Humanitarian De-mining, UN sets a standard of 99.6% UN sets a standard of 99.6% removalremoval

Communities must feel safe Communities must feel safe returning to their livesreturning to their lives

Most mines must be detected Most mines must be detected and removed/deactivated by and removed/deactivated by handhand


Humanitarian De-miners first Humanitarian De-miners first try to restore access to try to restore access to productive land and vital productive land and vital infrastructureinfrastructure

For example: clearing a path For example: clearing a path to a water source, or a village to a water source, or a village schoolschool


De-mining by hand is time De-mining by hand is time consuming, labor intensive, consuming, labor intensive, and dangerousand dangerous

Mines are rarely placed in flat, Mines are rarely placed in flat, open fieldsopen fields

Terrain is often rocky and Terrain is often rocky and steepsteep


Proper protective Proper protective equipment is equipment is expensiveexpensive


Some countries can Some countries can not afford such not afford such protective equipmentprotective equipment

Possible New MethodsPossible New Methods Gambian Giant Gambian Giant

Pouched RatPouched Rat

Can be trained with Can be trained with food rewards to food rewards to find certain odorsfind certain odors

Too small to set off Too small to set off the minesthe mines

Possible New MethodsPossible New Methods

Honey beesHoney bees

May be May be trained to trained to detect detect chemical chemical odors from odors from minesmines


The mustard The mustard Arabidopsis Arabidopsis thalianathaliana normally turns red normally turns red under harsh conditionsunder harsh conditions

Scientists have bred a Scientists have bred a strain that turns red in strain that turns red in response to the nitrous response to the nitrous oxide that leaks from oxide that leaks from landmines and other landmines and other explosivesexplosives


A bacterium has been A bacterium has been genetically engineered that genetically engineered that will fluoresce under UV light in will fluoresce under UV light in the presence of TNTthe presence of TNT

Could be sprayed over an Could be sprayed over an entire field to detect minesentire field to detect mines

Some Good NewsSome Good News

Since the Mine Ban Treaty:Since the Mine Ban Treaty:

• World-wide production World-wide production has fallen considerablyhas fallen considerably

• Trade has almost come Trade has almost come to a haltto a halt


In 2006, over 450 In 2006, over 450 square km of mined square km of mined land was cleared and land was cleared and put back into put back into productive useproductive use


Mine risk education Mine risk education reached 7.3 million reached 7.3 million people, to protect people, to protect them from the danger them from the danger of minesof mines


Since the treaty, Since the treaty, there has been there has been widespread widespread destruction of destruction of stockpiled minesstockpiled mines

What You Can DoWhat You Can Do

Support organizations that aid countries in Support organizations that aid countries in clearing mined fields, providing assistance clearing mined fields, providing assistance to victims, and lobby for continued to victims, and lobby for continued government action against landminesgovernment action against landmines

Volunteer time and moneyVolunteer time and money

What You Can DoWhat You Can Do HALO (Hazardous Area Life-HALO (Hazardous Area Life-

Support Organization)Support Organization)

A British and American NPO whose A British and American NPO whose purpose is to remove landmines and purpose is to remove landmines and unexploded ordinance left behind unexploded ordinance left behind after a warafter a war

Operates in 9 countries, and has Operates in 9 countries, and has over 7000 mine-clearersover 7000 mine-clearers

Largest operation is in AfghanistanLargest operation is in Afghanistan

Has removed 30,000 mines in Has removed 30,000 mines in Angola since the end of their war in Angola since the end of their war in 19941994

What You Can DoWhat You Can Do Clear Path InternationalClear Path International

Assists the civilian victims of Assists the civilian victims of landmines and other landmines and other explosive remnants of warexplosive remnants of war

Supports prosthetic clinics Supports prosthetic clinics

Delivers prostheses to remote Delivers prostheses to remote areas far from medical careareas far from medical care

What You Can DoWhat You Can Do Adopt-A-Minefield CampaignAdopt-A-Minefield Campaign

Works primarily through the UN to clear Works primarily through the UN to clear mine fields in some of the most heavily mine fields in some of the most heavily mined countries in the worldmined countries in the world

Works with a number of organizations to Works with a number of organizations to provide relief to landmine survivorsprovide relief to landmine survivors

Cleared over 21 million square meters of Cleared over 21 million square meters of land in Afghanistan, Angola, Bosnia and land in Afghanistan, Angola, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Laos, and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Laos, and VietnamVietnam

Provided over $1.5 million for survivor Provided over $1.5 million for survivor assistance projectsassistance projects


Marshall Legacy Marshall Legacy InstituteInstitute

Contributors can Contributors can sponsor a mine-sponsor a mine-detection dogdetection dog

What you can doWhat you can do Support the International Campaign to Ban LandminesSupport the International Campaign to Ban Landmines

Challenge elected officials (and candidates) to sign the Challenge elected officials (and candidates) to sign the Mine Ban TreatyMine Ban Treaty

Cluster BombsCluster Bombs

Cluster Bomb DesignCluster Bomb Design Air dropped or ground Air dropped or ground

launched munitions launched munitions that eject a number of that eject a number of smaller munitions smaller munitions (“bomblets”)(“bomblets”)

Variety of designsVariety of designs

Variety of types of Variety of types of bombletsbomblets• Anti-personnelAnti-personnel• IncendiaryIncendiary• Anti-tankAnti-tank• Anti-runwayAnti-runway• Anti-electricalAnti-electrical

Cluster Bomb DesignCluster Bomb Design

Depending on the type and Depending on the type and size of cluster bomb, a size of cluster bomb, a single munition may single munition may contain over 2000 contain over 2000 bombletsbomblets

Large Strike AreaLarge Strike Area

Bomblets are scattered Bomblets are scattered over a very wide areaover a very wide area

The area hit by a single The area hit by a single cluster munition can be cluster munition can be as large as 2 or 3 as large as 2 or 3 football fields.football fields.

With such a wide area, With such a wide area, civilians are frequently civilians are frequently hit inadvertentlyhit inadvertently

Unexploded OrdinanceUnexploded Ordinance

Not all bomblets detonate on Not all bomblets detonate on impactimpact

They remain live, and can They remain live, and can explode if handledexplode if handled

Essentially act as landminesEssentially act as landmines

Intrinsic Failure RateIntrinsic Failure Rate

For example:For example:• U.S. made M26 warheads with U.S. made M26 warheads with

M77 submunitions are M77 submunitions are designed to have a 5% dud designed to have a 5% dud rate;rate;

• In reality, they have a dud In reality, they have a dud rate closer to 16%rate closer to 16%

M483A1 DPICM artillery M483A1 DPICM artillery delivered cluster bombs have delivered cluster bombs have a reported dud rate of 14%a reported dud rate of 14%

Small Failures Add UpSmall Failures Add Up

Given that each cluster Given that each cluster bomb contains bomb contains hundreds of bomblets, hundreds of bomblets, and are fired in and are fired in volleys…volleys…

……even a small failure even a small failure rate can lead to rate can lead to hundreds or thousands hundreds or thousands of unexploded of unexploded ordinances scattered ordinances scattered aboutabout

Continue to be a DangerContinue to be a Danger

Like landmines, Like landmines, they may still be they may still be live and deadly live and deadly even many years even many years after deployedafter deployed

Unintended DeadlinessUnintended Deadliness

Some cluster Some cluster bomblets are brightly bomblets are brightly colored to increase colored to increase their visibility and their visibility and warn off civilianswarn off civilians

However, the color, However, the color, combined with their combined with their small and non-small and non-threatening threatening appearance, cause appearance, cause children to interpret children to interpret them as toysthem as toys

Tragic OversightTragic Oversight In the War in In the War in

Afghanistan, Afghanistan, humanitarian rations humanitarian rations dropped from airplanes dropped from airplanes were in similar yellow were in similar yellow colored packaging as colored packaging as undetonated BLU-97B undetonated BLU-97B bombletsbomblets

After several deaths, the After several deaths, the humanitarian packages humanitarian packages were changed to blue, were changed to blue, then to transparent, to then to transparent, to try to avoid such try to avoid such confusionconfusion

Ongoing DeathsOngoing Deaths In Vietnam, people are still being killed from cluster bombs In Vietnam, people are still being killed from cluster bombs

dropped by U.S. and Vietnamese forces; up to 300 every dropped by U.S. and Vietnamese forces; up to 300 every yearyear

Unexploded cluster bombs kill more civilians in post-war Unexploded cluster bombs kill more civilians in post-war Kosovo than landminesKosovo than landmines

Citizens in Lebanon are being injured and killed by Citizens in Lebanon are being injured and killed by unxploded bomblets left from the 2006 conflict with Irsealunxploded bomblets left from the 2006 conflict with Irseal

Cluster bomblets kill and maim civilians in Iraq and Cluster bomblets kill and maim civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan as we try to gain local supportAfghanistan as we try to gain local support

CCWCCW

Protocol V of the UN Protocol V of the UN Convention on Certain Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons Conventional Weapons covers “explosive covers “explosive remnants of war”remnants of war”

Sometimes applied to the Sometimes applied to the topic of cluster munitionstopic of cluster munitions

Has little power to enforce, Has little power to enforce, and the primary users of and the primary users of cluster weapons are not cluster weapons are not signatoriessignatories

Cluster Munitions CoalitionCluster Munitions Coalition Following failure of the CCW Following failure of the CCW

review in 2006 to effectively review in 2006 to effectively address the humanitarian address the humanitarian crisis of cluster munitions, crisis of cluster munitions, CMC begunCMC begun

A network of more than 200 A network of more than 200 NGOs, faith-based groups, and NGOs, faith-based groups, and professional organizationsprofessional organizations

Includes global organizations, Includes global organizations, such as Handicap such as Handicap International, International International, International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Campaign to Ban Landmines, and Human Rights Watchand Human Rights Watch

The Oslo ProcessThe Oslo Process Through the CMC, the Norwegian Government, along with Through the CMC, the Norwegian Government, along with

Austria, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, and Peru, Austria, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, and Peru, announced its intention to establish a new international announced its intention to establish a new international process to establish a treaty banning cluster bombsprocess to establish a treaty banning cluster bombs

Will also increase clearance of contaminated land, and Will also increase clearance of contaminated land, and provide assistance to victimsprovide assistance to victims

In Feb 2007, 46 nations met in Oslo, committed themselves In Feb 2007, 46 nations met in Oslo, committed themselves to completing this treaty by 2008, and began to shape the to completing this treaty by 2008, and began to shape the documentdocument

As of November 2007, 84 states were participating in the As of November 2007, 84 states were participating in the Oslo ProcessOslo Process

Taking an Example from the Mine Taking an Example from the Mine Ban TreatyBan Treaty

CMC is calling on governments to make a strong and CMC is calling on governments to make a strong and comprehensive treaty, that will make a real difference in comprehensive treaty, that will make a real difference in peoples lives, without exceptions, delays, or loopholespeoples lives, without exceptions, delays, or loopholes

Government must publicly endorse the previous draft in Government must publicly endorse the previous draft in order to participate in the next conferenceorder to participate in the next conference

Despite not being a superpower, smaller countries are Despite not being a superpower, smaller countries are taking decisive steps, and not waiting for larger countries to taking decisive steps, and not waiting for larger countries to come aroundcome around

Global Day of ActionGlobal Day of Action

The Global Day of Action to The Global Day of Action to Ban Cluster BombsBan Cluster BombsApril 19, 2008April 19, 2008

Occurs one month before Occurs one month before the Dublin Diplomatic the Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Conference on Cluster Munitions (May 19-30, Munitions (May 19-30, 2008)2008)


Get involved!Get involved!

CMC gives advice on CMC gives advice on organizing events to organizing events to demonstrate public demonstrate public support, raise support, raise awareness, and awareness, and pressure governments pressure governments to ban cluster to ban cluster munitionsmunitions

What You Can DoWhat You Can Do Question candidates about their position on cluster munitionsQuestion candidates about their position on cluster munitions

• A September 6, 2006, the Senate amendment to ban the use of A September 6, 2006, the Senate amendment to ban the use of cluster bombs in civilian areas was voted oncluster bombs in civilian areas was voted on

• Senator Clinton voted noSenator Clinton voted no• Senator Obama voted yesSenator Obama voted yes

Questions?Questions?

Landmines and Cluster Bombs: An Enduring Problem

Documents

Transcript of Landmines and Cluster Bombs: An Enduring Problem