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Statements Archive | LAST UPDATE August 8, 2010 | |
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| Peace Boat expresses its full support of the Convention on Cluster Munitions which entered into force on August 1. Together with the 108 countries who have signed the Convention (as at August 1, 2010) and NGOs throughout the world who worked for the realisation of the treaty, we call for the immediate eradication of these inhumane cluster bombs. Even a single use of cluster munitions leads to the scattering of countless small bombs, some of which remain in the area as unexploded ordnances. These bombs make the threat of war a semipermanent remainder for everyday citizens living in the affected area. Peace Boat has met with victims of such weapons of indiscriminate violence around the world, and continues to support victims of such weapons. Peace Boat has also continually challenged the Japanese Government on the Self-Defence Force's possession of cluster munitions. This not only violates the spirit of Japan's Peace Constitution, but also contradicts the position of sole self-defence. We thus believe that Japan's taking leadership in signing and ratifying the Convention on Cluster Munitions was a great achievement. However, the United States and Russia, who are both key producers and possessors of cluster munitions, have unfortunately not yet signed this treaty. The United States forces based in Japan carry out tests of cluster munitions in Japanese territory off the coast of Okinawa. As a signatory state to the treaty comprehensively banning cluster munitions, we believe that the Japanese Government should also strongly protest the possession and use of cluster munitions within its own territory. Peace Boat pledges to continue to carry out efforts for the abolition of cluster munitions. The issue of support for victims is particularly crucial. Furthermore, we plan to continue to work together with the global community to lobby countries yet to sign the treaty, including the United States and Russia. Both the Ottawa Process, which realised the banning of antipersonnel land mines, and now the entry into force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, are both great steps towards realising a sustainable and peaceful world, in which NGOs and citizens throughout the world took the lead. Peace Boat expresses its deep respect to all those who were involved in the realisation of this treaty. Likewise, we pledge to continue to take action for the abolition of not only landmines and cluster munitions, but all weapons of mass destruction including nuclear weapons. Enquiries regarding this statement: Peace Boat (Nohira Shinsaku) ( Tel: 03-3363-7561 / Fax: 03-3363-7562 ) |
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