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Mr Coordinator,
During today’s formal plenary on Explosive Remnants of War, I would like to update participants on New Zealand’s position relating to cluster munitions.
New Zealand has previously stated in this forum our conviction that a persuasive case exists for specific work on cluster munitions within the CCW. As we look towards the Review Conference and beyond, we believe that a more concrete shape must be defined for this process. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to add New Zealand’s voice to those calling for the negotiation of a legally binding instrument regulating the design and use of cluster munitions.
New Zealand stands committed to the negotiation of a legally binding instrument on cluster munitions: one which makes a substantive improvement on existing international humanitarian law, and allows our concerns relating to reliability, targeting, transfers, and destruction of outmoded stocks to be addressed. Our concerns relating to the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions are well-known. Key elements which we should be addressing in our pursuit of more specific international regulations include: the problematic persistent nature of failed cluster munitions; any use of cluster munitions within areas with concentrated civilian populations; indiscriminate attacks of a nature to strike combatants and civilians alike; use of these weapons in circumstances likely to cause disproportionate loss of civilian life and damage to civilian objects; and the worrying potential for increased proliferation, retention or use of outmoded cluster munition stocks, The negative impact of cluster munition contamination on humanitarian operations and economic recovery in post-conflict situations is already well-established, with corroborating evidence from recent events reinforcing the necessity for action.
Mr Coordinator,
As we look towards the Review Conference, the recommendations of the ERW working group will need to reflect the significant concerns expressed by members of this group relating to cluster munitions. We look forward to working with you to ensure that the concerns of all delegations are adequately reflected in final assessments and recommendations relating to our work.
