New Treaty Bans Use of Cluster Munitions

Amy Burchfield, Access & Faculty Services Librarian amy.burchfield@law.csuohio.edu | October 03, 2008 - 14:45

A recently adopted treaty, the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) bans the use, development, stockpiling, retention or trading of cluster munitions. Cluster munitions are weapons used to disperse many small bombs over a wide geographic area. They disproportionately harm civilian populations because of their inaccuracy and unreliability. Cluster munitions have been used in many conflicts worldwide, including recent conflicts between Russia and Georgia, Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Ethiopia and Eritrea. An Oct. 1^st edition of ASIL Insights by Priya Pillai provides a brief overview of the CCM; more information is available from the Convention’s official website.