Working together to end poverty and injustice

Stop Cluster Bombs

Oxfam was part of the international call to establish a legally binding treaty to prohibit cluster munitions which cause unacceptable harm to civilians. Oxfam New Zealand was a leading member of the NZ Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC), a group of non-governmental organisations established in March 2007

New Zealand was one of the leaders in this effort promoting the treaty worldwide through the Oslo Process, a unique diplomatic endeavor to secure a global treaty prohibiting cluster munitions. In February 2008, New Zealand convened a global meeting in Wellington to negotiate the treaty. ew Zealand parliamentarians and activists can be justly proud of their efforts.

Campaign success: International law banning cluster munitions comes into force

In December 2009, Control Arms campaigners celebrated as the Cluster Munitions Prohibition Bill was passed by the New Zealand parliament. The New Zealand government then moved quickly to ratify the treaty.

In February 2010, the international treaty banning cluster munitions received its 30th ratification, meaning that it will become a binding international law from August 2010.

A Chinese manufactured MZD2 cluster munition in southern Lebanon.

Oxfam joined the international call demanding the prohibition of cluster munitions because of the unacceptable harm they can cause to civilians. Uncleared cluster munitions threaten humanitarian workers and prevent displaced people from returning home. Affected areas prevent post-conflict reconstruction and delay people’s ability to rebuild their lives and live in peace.

Find out more

• Read more news on the campaign to Control Arms
• Visit www.stopclusterbombs.org.nz to read more on the campaign to Stop Cluster Bombs