Sharon Leads European Parliament's Call to Ban Cluster Bombs

12.36.25pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 1st Mar 2007

Sharon with her Lib Dem colleague Liz Lynne at a protest calling for a ban on cluster bombs

South East Liberal Democrat MEP Sharon Bowles today led a demonstration outside the European Parliament to launch her Written Declaration calling for a historic new ban on the use of cluster munitions,on the 8th anniversary of the entry into force of the Ottawa treaty banning landmines.

Following an international conference in Oslo seeking a ban on cluster munitions, Sharon Bowles MEP, long time campaigner against the use of such weapons, said:

"Cluster Munitions are not covered by the Ottawa treaty on landmines, they are used with impunity but they still have the same devastating effect with civilians maimed and killed for years to come.

"Ninety-eight per cent of causalities from cluster bombs are civilians - not combat troops. There can be no justification for the use of such an indiscriminate and harmful weapon and we must have a ban in place as soon as possible.

"Whilst I welcome the declaration made by 46 countries last week in Oslo to work towards a ban and the recent European Parliament resolution calling for an immediate ban, it is vital we keep up the momentum and I urge all MEPs to sign this declaration.

"We need a treaty on cluster munitions that is as comprehensive as the Ottawa treaty on landmines and includes a complete ban on the use, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions as well as commitments to munitions clearance; anything less is a travesty to the daily victims of these monstrous weapons."

ENDS