International Launch Conference of the
(Hosted By Pax Christi Netherlands, Grote Kerk, The Hague 12 & 13 November, 2003)
   
www.eceltice.ie
 
AN INVITATION TO JOIN
THE CLUSTER MUNITIONS COALITION (CMC)

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM
Explosive remnants of war (ERW), such as cluster submunitions, put innocent lives and livelihoods at risk long after conflict has ended. Unlike landmines, there is currently no provision in international law which addresses the problem of ERW and the devastating effect they have on civilian populations. With at least 82 countries affected around the world, and 10 affected territories in every region of the world, ERW is a problem of increasing magnitude.

WHAT IS THE CLUSTER MUNITION COALITION?
On April 2003, after an international conference in Dublin, Ireland, the NGOs present met and agreed that a co-ordinated international NGO effort was required to address the problems caused by explosive remnants of war (ERW) and thus also address cluster munitions as being the dominant cause for ERW in countries where they have been used*. It was agreed to recommend to the global NGO community that a new coalition be formed to address the issues of ERW and cluster munitions.

OBJECTIVES
  1. No use, production or trade of cluster munitions until their humanitarian problems have been resolved.
  2. Increased resources for assistance to communities and individuals affected by unexploded cluster munitions and all other explosive remnants of war.
  3. Users of cluster munitions and other munitions that become erw to accept special responsibility for clearance, warnings, risk education, provision of information and victim assistance
LAUNCH
The campaign and the supportive coalition will be formally launched in the Netherlands, November 12&13. Details are to be confirmed soon. Info at ERW-CMcampaign@paxchristi.nl .

JOIN CMC
CMC is an inclusive coalition open to non-governmental organisations, community groups and professional associations, which support the aims, policy objectives and overall plan/programme of action of the coalition.

To endorse the objectives and apply for membership to the CMC, please contact anne@landmineaction.org.

*A group of NGOs volunteered to further develop this international response: Austrian Aid For Mine Victims, Handicap International, Human Rights Watch, Landmine Action, Mines Action Canada, Mennonites Central Committee, Nepalese Campaign to Ban Landmines, Pax Christi Ireland, Pax Christi Netherlands, Protection (f.k.a. Landmine Struggle Center, Egypt) Russian Campaign to Ban Landmines.