Protestors urge Irish ban on cluster bombs

HUMAN rights activists took to the streets of Dublin over the weekend to urge the Government to sign up to an international treaty banning cluster bombing.

The demonstration at the Central Bank was part of a global day of action calling on world leaders to outlaw the controversial weapon.

Cluster bombing involves the scattering of explosive charges over a wide area to maximise damage to targets.

However, opponents claims the weapon virtually guarantees civilian casualties and should be banned.

Over 100 governments are expected to negotiate a worldwide ban on cluster bombs at The Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions from May 19-30.

Senator David Norris and Amnesty International Irish Section executive director Colm O’Gorman were among those who participated in the protest.

O’Gorman said: “The Irish Government has played a key role in driving the process for an international ban on cluster munitions and this should be acknowledged.

“These weapons are completely indiscriminate, maiming and killing thousands of people every year, many of them innocent civilians, including women and children.

“We now have a real chance to ensure these weapons are banned throughout the world, and the Irish Government has an historic opportunity to provide leadership on the international stage in ending a horrific human rights abuse.

“We want the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs to know that the people of Ireland are fully behind their efforts to have these weapons banned and we challenge and encourage them to do all they can to ensure a strong treaty is agreed next month.

“Banning the human rights obscenity that is the use of cluster munitions will save thousands of lives every year.

“It will save countless more people from maimed or shattered bodies. It is a cause that everyone in Ireland can surely endorse.”