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ICRC urges States to adopt strong treaty banning cluster munitions

16 May 2008 12:52 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Mahbube Gasimbeyli â€“APA. States preparing to negotiate a new treaty banning cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians must act decisively to address the scourge of these weapons, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Friday. More than 100 States will meet at a diplomatic conference in Dublin from 19 to 30 May, a key step in a process that started in Oslo in February 2007 and has been growing in momentum ever since, press-service of ICRC representation in Azerbaijan told APA. "Cluster munitions are weapons that never stop killing," said ICRC president Jakob Kellenberger, who is due to speak at the opening of the Dublin conference. "In the course of its work for people affected by armed conflict, the ICRC has often witnessed horrific impact of these weapons on civilians. States should now conclude a treaty that will prohibit inaccurate and unreliable cluster munitions, provide for their clearance and ensure assistance to their victims," he said. ICRC president said that about 75 States currently possess cluster munitions.