Final negotiations are underway today, 28 May 2008 in Dublin, Ireland on a treaty to ban cluster bombs. Most governments agree that they should be banned--but many are now trying to weaken the proposed treaty with loopholes, exemptions, and delays.

Recent events in Iraq and Afghanistan have refocused international attention on the brutal use of cluster bombs in the modern era of democracy and human rights. Cluster bombs have killed and mutilated thousands of civilians over the past 40 years and now there is a genuine and rare chance to ban them. 

At present almost 80.000 individuals from around the world have signed a petition expressing support for the campaign to ban cluster bombs, conveying to the international community the sentiment that cluster bombs have no place in the world. UNPO urge the international community to negotiate and adopt a treaty to ban cluster bombs with no exceptions, no delays and no loopholes. Thereby not forgetting the victims of cluster bombs, but provide them with the full assistance necessary. 

At this crucial juncture in the campaign UNPO would like to call upon all friends and Members of UNPO to show your support by signing the petition for a universal ban on the use of cluster bombs, and by encouraging the members of your communities to do the same.

[Sign the Petition] 

UNPO therefore strongly supports the campaign for a universal ban on all cluster bombs, believing that this is an integral step in the process of securing a genuinely universal system of human rights, without which the prospects for peace, reconciliation, and justice will remain permanently overshadowed by the inhumane use of such weapons.