The Convention on Cluster Munitions (also known as the Oslo Treaty) was opened for signature in December 2008 in Oslo, Norway. It entered into force on August 1, 2010, six months after the 30th ratification. The Convention is now binding international law for all states who have signed.

As of March 11, 2011, 108 states have signed the Convention and 53 have ratified it. Has your country signed or ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions?

Obligations for states

Just like the Mine Ban Treaty, the Convention on Cluster Munitions is an international law that bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of cluster bombs. Countries choose whether or not to sign up to it. By joining the Convention, states commit to respect all the obligations it contains.

Article 1: General obligations
Each State Party undertakes never to:
- use, stockpile, produce and transfer cluster munitions
- assist, encourage or induce anyone to engage in any activity prohibited to a State Party.

Article 3: Storage and stockpile destruction
Each State Party undertakes to destroy all stockpiled cluster munitions under its jurisdiction and control as soon as possible but not later than 8 years after the entry into force of the Treaty for that country.

Article 4: Clearance
Each State Party must clear and destroy cluster munitions located in contaminated areas under its jurisdiction or control. This must be completed as soon as possible but not later than 10 years from the entry into force of the Treaty for this country.

Article 5: Victim assistance
Each State Party must provide assistance to cluster munition victims in areas under its jurisdiction or control.

This assistance covers:
- Data collection
- Healthcare
- Physical rehabilitation
- Psychological support
- Social and economic inclusion
- National laws and policies on disability

Article 6: International cooperation and assistance
Each State Party in a position to do so shall provide assistance to any other State Party on the overall obligations of this Treaty.

Article 7: Transparency measures
Each State Party must provide an annual report on its implementation of the Treaty, covering issues such as national implementation measures, quantity and type of weapons stockpiled and destruction of stockpile.

Key facts

In 2010, the states having signed the Convention represent

- the majority of countries in Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Pacific
- most of the countries affected by cluster munitions
- the majority of the 27 members of the European Union
- most of the 28 members of NATO
- a third of countries having used cluster munitions
- 40% of countries having produced these weapons
- half of countries having exported them
- a third of stockpiling countries

Non-signatory States to the Convention represent:
- the majority of countries in Asia, Middle East, Northern Africa and the Caribbean
- nearly two third of countries having used cluster munitions
- two thirds of stockpiling countries, the biggest stockpilers being the United States, China and the Russian Federation
- 17 countries suspected of still producing cluster munitions in 2009
- Half of exporting countries, of which the largest are the Russian Federation and the United States. However the United States has passed a law to forbid the export of most of their cluster munitions.

Campaign with us

U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines (USCBL)

Handicap International currently coordinates the USCBL. The USCBL is one of 90 country campaigns that comprise the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL)—co-winner of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize. 

Join USCBL's call to action by taking a minute to tell the Obama administration that it's time for the U.S. to finally join the Mine Ban Treaty!

Sign the petition against cluster bombs
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Related links

Cluster Munitions Coalition (CMC) Handicap International is a co-founder of the CMC. Visit their website to find out more about the international campaign against cluster munitions.

Cluster Munition Monitor 2011
Find out the latest global statistics about cluster munitions