June 1, 2008
No. 132
The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, today announced that, at the Dublin Diplomatic Conference, Canada has endorsed the final text for a new international convention banning cluster munitions.
"Canada joins more than 100 countries in welcoming this important instrument," said Minister Emerson. "Cluster munitions have had significant negative impact on civilians, both at the time of their use and after fighting has ended."
"Canada supports this new instrument, which allows for military cooperation between states that are party to the convention and those that are not, all the while respecting the humanitarian objectives of the convention," added Minister MacKay.
This new convention is the culmination of 18 months' work, known as the Oslo Process, between civil society groups and participating states. The text, endorsed unanimously by the 111 participating countries, includes language to prohibit the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions, and require existing stocks to be destroyed. It also makes provisions for the clearance of contaminated areas and for assistance to individuals and communities victimized by cluster munitions.
The Canadian delegation will bring the text back to Ottawa for consideration by the government and Parliament, in accordance with Canada's domestic legal process. The convention will be open for signature in Oslo in December 2008 and will enter into force for States Parties once 30 states ratify it.
For more details, please consult:
www.clustermunitionsdublin.ie www.ottawaconvention.org
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