News

On 24 March, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the United Nations, Ambassador Dalius Čekuolis handed in instrument of ratification to the Convention on Cluster Munitions to the Office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Convention prohibits all use, production and acquirement of cluster munitions, and sets out specific commitments to address humanitarian problems that cluster munitions pose.

Cluster munitions are air-dropped or ground-launched canisters that scatter from a few tens to hundreds of sub-munitions, over a football field-sized area. Cluster munitions have a large area of impact and their use usually results in confusing military and civilian targets, which violates International Humanitarian Law. In addition, in some cases more than one-third of cluster munitions does not explode at once, thus remain hazardous to civilians and hinder the economic development after at the end of the conflict.

According to the data of non-governmental organizations, cluster munitions were used in more than 35 countries, including the former Yugoslavia, Lebanon and Iraq. These weapons have killed tens of thousands of civilians. However, these weapons cause less humanitarian damage than anti-personnel mines. Therefore, the Convention is, first of all, considered a precautionary measure.

Lithuania does not stockpile, use or plan to acquire cluster munitions. Although the entire Convention enters into force in Lithuania on 1 September, the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania has decided to comply with the prohibition on cluster munitions immediately.

The Convention on Cluster Munitions was opened for signature on 3 December 2008 in Oslo and entered into force on 1 August 2010.

Currently, Lithuania is participating in the implementation of all international treaties that aim to limit humanitarian damage done by certain types of arms and consistently supports further creation of such international laws.