Last year, world leaders met in Norway to discuss a possible international ban on cluster bombs. A cluster bomb is a munitions package holding hundreds of tiny bomblets. The package opens in mid air to disperse the bomblets over a large area. However, bomblets do not always explode when they hit the ground, essentially becoming landmines that can harm civilians years later. Handicap International has reported the alarming statistic that 98 percent of casualties caused by cluster munitions are non-combatants. The US rejected the agreement to stop using cluster bombs, claiming that they are effective weapons and do not plan to discontinue their use. This is despite the fact that over 40 other nations have agreed to the ban, including suppliers and stockpilers such as France and Britan.
Religions for Peace, which originally formed to support nuclear disarmament, has joined the worldwide Cluster Munitions Coalition which calls for the end of the production, transfer, stockpiling, and use of cluster bombs. The 19th of April shall be considered the Global Day of Action to Ban Cluster Bombs, wherein leaders from around America will submit their petitions. To get involved, visit the Coalition’s “Act Now!” website to send letters to government officials, and sign petitions.
Labels: activism, America, bomb, civilians, cluster, God's Warriors, landmines, munition, support, weapon
