Cluster bombs have killed or maimed thousands of men, women and children, and continue to do so today.

A crucial time in the movement against cluster bombs

Cluster bombs affect large areas of land and their human impact can be devastating when dropped near populated areas. They are deployed from the air releasing dozens of smaller bomblets, which explode on impact or lie dormant until activated, often accidentally by civilians.

The Global Day of Action is being held exactly one month before the forthcoming Dublin conference on cluster bombs (19-30 May)in which over 100 governments will negotiate a treaty to ban cluster bombs. This treaty is the most significant disarmament treaty of the decade and will change the lives of affected communities worldwide.

It is crucial that pressure be applied to ensure the strongest ban possible is delivered, with no loopholes, no exceptions and no delays.

Once ratified, the proposed treaty will ensure a full ban, initiate rapid clearance of land containing cluster bombs and provide vital assistance to affected people.

Kinsale Peace Project with Kinsale Brownies and their leaders,Mary McCarthy and Amanda Kingston!

Each brownie put their hand print on the attached poster urging everyone to sign the petition to ban cluster bombs! as they are too young to sign same, the vast majority of the victims are ironically young children,as these bombs remain unexploded after conflicts and are left lying around in fields and waste ground,they resemble "cans" and children to their detriment pick these up and they explode causing death loss of hands{hence the idea of hands on the posters}loss of limbs ,eyesight etc

Log onto www.stopclusterbombs.ie. to sign the petition now!

Kathy Sinnott MEP was in touch and congratulated Kinsale Peace Projeect members and the kinsale brownie leaders, Mary McCarthy and Amanda Kingstonfor this novel and though provoking idea! Kathy sinnott has signed the petition banning these awful bombs! This comes in advance of a major international conference on cluster bombs in Dublin beginning on May 19th to May 30th!




The background

The international diplomatic drive to ban cluster bombs began in Oslo in 2007 when 46 governments met to begin what is called the Oslo Process. This was followed by a series of conferences last year with participants from governments, civil society, United Nations organisations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other relevant actors.

The Dublin conference is the final round of negotiations to secure a ban.

For further information visit www.stopclusterbombs.ie.