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Recent Releases Statement to the Vienna Conference on Cluster Munitions: International Cooperation and Assistance Delivered by Bonnie Docherty, researcher in the Arms Division, on behalf of Human Rights Watch and the Cluster Munition Coalition A cluster munition convention offers the international community an opportunity not only to prevent future use of cluster munitions, but also to eliminate the existing threat to civilians from remaining cluster duds. December 7, 2007 Oral Statement Printer friendly version Statement to the Vienna Conference on Cluster Munitions: Intervention Procedural Matters Delivered by Steve Goose, director of the Human Rights Watch Arms Division and co-chair of the Cluster Munition Coalition A number of comments have been made in this session and earlier ones about the importance of having major user, producer, and stockpiling states involved in the effort to address the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions. The implication has been that such states are somehow missing from the Oslo Process. Nothing could be further from the truth. December 7, 2007 Oral Statement Printer friendly version Statement to the Vienna Conference on Cluster Munitions: Intervention on Definitions Delivered by Steve Goose, director of the Human Rights Watch Arms Division and co-chair of the Cluster Munition Coalition But we would first like to express our concurrence with the many states that have said this discussion on definitions is at the center of our deliberations here in Vienna—and beyond. Indeed, it is about what is to be banned and what is not. The ability of any future treaty to really make a difference depends on this. As we have already seen today, there is a natural inclination for states to try to defend and protect their own arsenals. But we will only be successful if all recognize that ultimately the entire purpose of this process is the protection of civilians, not the protection of national stocks. December 6, 2007 Oral Statement Printer friendly version Statement to the Vienna Conference on Cluster Munitions: Intervention on General Obligations and Scope including Interpretation, Transition Period, and Interoperability Issues Delivered by Steve Goose, director of the Human Rights Watch Arms Division and co-chair of the Cluster Munition Coalition Mr. Ambassador, although they should be, general obligations are not always crystal clear. They can leave room for interpretation, which in turn affects how a treaty is implemented and perceptions of compliance. Contrary or contradictory interpretations and implementation by various States Parties can fundamentally undermine the credibility and effectiveness of a treaty. December 6, 2007 Oral Statement Printer friendly version Cluster Munition Coalition Calls for Strongest Possible Ban Over 120 Countries Gather in Vienna to Discuss Cluster Bomb Ban Treaty The third major international conference on cluster munitions opens tomorrow as more than 120 countries gather in Vienna to discuss a ban treaty to be signed in 2008. The conference is part of the so-called Oslo Process launched in February when states agreed to conclude a new treaty next year banning cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. December 4, 2007 Press Release ICBL Intervention on Articles 1 and 2 of the Mine Ban Treaty Delivered by Steve Goose, Director of Human Rights Watch Arms Division and Head of the ICBL Delegation, at the Eighth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty It is unfortunate that so many important issues get lumped together under this “Transparency and Exchange of Information” agenda item—quite separate issues related to Articles 1, 2, 3, 7, and possibly other articles. It not only diminishes the importance of each issue, it discourages more extensive discussion of each topic. States Parties should consider some adjustment in this agenda item for future Meetings of States Parties, so that these articles and issues get their proper attention, especially Articles 1 and 2. November 22, 2007 Oral Statement Printer friendly version ICBL Intervention on Compliance with the Mine Ban Treaty Delivered by Steve Goose, Director of Human Rights Watch Arms Division and Head of the ICBL Delegation, at the Eighth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty In this tenth anniversary year of the Mine Ban Treaty, it is appropriate to begin by reflecting back on the record of compliance. In 1997, as the Mine Ban Treaty was being developed and negotiated, opponents and skeptics often dismissed it as a “feel good” exercise and said it would be an unenforceable treaty, one without teeth that states were likely to ignore. Ten years later, the doubters have been proven wrong—at least thus far. The States Parties’ record for treaty implementation and compliance has been extremely impressive over the years, though not flawless. States Parties have successfully implemented and complied with the Mine Ban Treaty to a degree that few observers would have expected. It is a record that most any other multilateral treaty would envy. November 22, 2007 Oral Statement Printer friendly version ICBL Intervention on Article 3 (Mines Retained for Training) of the Mine Ban Treaty Delivered by Steve Goose, Director of Human Rights Watch Arms Division and Head of the ICBL Delegation, at the Eighth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty By our count, 70 States Parties are retaining about 233,000 antipersonnel mines. That does not sound like a comprehensive ban on antipersonnel mines. While the treaty does of course allow retention of mines for training and development purposes, the fact is that nearly nine years after entry into force, surprisingly little is known about what many states are doing with all those antipersonnel mines. What we do know leads us to conclude that there appears to be widespread abuse of the exception in Article 3. November 21, 2007 Oral Statement Printer friendly version The Oslo process: ending cluster-bombs The global campaign for a ban on cluster-munitions is gathering momentum By Steve Goose Published in openDemocracy Cluster-munitions leave a deadly legacy for years because once dropped, they scatter hundreds of unguided bomblets randomly over a wide area - and then many fail to explode. In effect, they turn into landmines. And just as campaigners spurred a global ban on anti-personnel landmines in the wake of the CCW's inability to do so, the aim today is to ban cluster-bombs that kill civilians around the world every week of every year. November 19, 2007 Commentary Printer friendly version ICBL Intervention on Antipersonnel Mine Stockpile Destruction Delivered by Steve Goose, Director of Human Rights Watch Arms Division and Head of the ICBL Delegation, at the Eighth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty There is no question that stockpile destruction is one of the great success stories of the Mine Ban Treaty. We now count 147 States Parties that do not have stockpiles, including Palau who just announced its accession yesterday. A total of 81 States Parties have completed stockpile destruction, and another 66 have reported never possessing stocks. All together, States Parties have destroyed nearly 42 million stockpiled antipersonnel mines, including about 2.3 million in the past year. November 19, 2007 Oral Statement Printer friendly version ICBL Statement during the General Exchange of Views Delivered by Steve Goose, Director of Human Rights Watch Arms Division and Head of the ICBL Delegation, at the Eighth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) is here in full force in Jordan. More than 250 campaigners from more than 60 countries are participating this week, including 25 landmine survivors and 50 youth advocates. This is a strong sign of the ongoing commitment of civil society to the total eradication of antipersonnel mines and to ensuring that the rights and needs of affected individuals and communities are met. Ten years after the negotiation and signing of the Mine Ban Treaty, our determination to finish the job is unwavering. November 18, 2007 Oral Statement Printer friendly version CCW: Only Oslo Process Can Deliver a Cluster Bomb Ban Diplomatic talks on cluster munitions at a United Nations conference in Geneva sputtered to a weak conclusion today, underscoring the importance of the “Oslo Process” to ban cluster munitions, Human Rights Watch said today. November 13, 2007 Press Release Printer friendly version Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW): Intervention on the Agreement on a CCW Mandate on Cluster Munitions Delivered by Steve Goose, Director of Human Rights Watch Arms Division We find this to be a wholly inadequate outcome on cluster munitions. It is not a credible mandate. Yes, it says the word “negotiate,” but it is impossible to imagine a weaker negotiating mandate. From the range of contradictory remarks we have just heard from States Parties, it is clear that collectively you do not have a clue what it is you are negotiating. There is no agreement on what it means to “negotiate a proposal.” November 13, 2007 Oral Statement Printer friendly version Too Many States Not on Course to Meet Mine Clearance Deadlines Landmine Monitor Report 2007 Released Today Many states are not on course to meet their Mine Ban Treaty mine clearance obligations, according to Landmine Monitor Report 2007: Toward a Mine-Free World. The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) releases the 1,124-page report at the United Nations today. Landmine Monitor reports on the global landmine situation and scrutinizes the implementation of and compliance with the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. Landmine Monitor Report 2007 is the ninth annual edition of the report. November 12, 2007 Press Release Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW): Amended Protocol II Largely Irrelevant and Inadequate Statement delivered by Steve Goose, Director of Human Rights Watch Arms Division, to the Ninth Annual Conference of States Parties to Amended Protocol II We noted in our remarks yesterday that the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) has been and can be an important international humanitarian instrument. That assessment does not apply to CCW Amended Protocol II, despite the laudatory words we have heard today from states. The truth is that Amended Protocol II is now largely irrelevant, and where it is not irrelevant, it is largely inadequate. The protocol contains restrictions on antipersonnel mines and antivehicle mines, as well as provisions related to post-conflict measures. Let’s look at each of these. November 6, 2007 Oral Statement Printer friendly version Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW): Protocol V on Explosive Remnants of War Delivered by Steve Goose, Director of Human Rights Watch Arms Division The Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) has been and can be an important international humanitarian and disarmament instrument, though it has often fallen far short of its potential. Protocol V on explosive remnants of war (ERW) can be an important international humanitarian instrument. November 5, 2007 Oral Statement Printer friendly version Mother of Dead Marine, Rep. Jim Moran, Nobel Laureate Jody Williams Urge Congress to Ban Cluster Bombs Global Day of Action Highlights Harm to Civilians Congress should pass legislation to protect civilians from the deadly effects of cluster munitions, Congressman Jim Moran, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Jody Williams and Lynn Bradach, mother of a Marine killed by a US cluster submunition in Iraq, said today. November 2, 2007 Press Release Printer friendly version Statement to the Opening Session of the Belgrade Conference on States Affected by Cluster Munitions Delivered by Steve Goose, director of the Arms Division at Human Rights Watch and co-chair of the Cluster Munition Coalition This is a rather extraordinary gathering. The very concept of it is quite radical in international affairs. With this meeting, we are saying that the interests of those who have suffered the effects of an indiscriminate weapon—effects that sometimes last for decades on end—their interests are paramount, not the interests of those who want to continue to use, produce, stockpile, and trade in that pernicious weapon. October 3, 2007 Oral Statement Printer friendly version Agencies accuse UK government of reclassifying cluster bomb in order to beat the weapon’s ban Human Rights Watch, Oxfam, Amnesty International UK, Landmine Action Press Release The UK, the world’s third largest user of lethal cluster bombs over the last ten years, has renamed one of its two remaining cluster munitions in an effort to beat an expected worldwide ban next year said humanitarian organisations Oxfam, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Landmine Action today. September 18, 2007 Web Site Why They Died Civilian Casualties in Lebanon during the 2006 War
HRW Index No.: E1905 September 6, 2007 Report Also available in 
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 Cluster Munition CoalitionInternational Campaign to Ban LandminesInternational Action Network on Small ArmsLandmine Monitor
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