12 MSP PRESIDENCY STATEMENT ON LITHUANIA’S POTENTIAL WITHDRAWAL FROM THE CONVENTION ON CLUSTER MUNITIONS
Mexico as President of the 12th Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) conveys its deep concern regarding the public announcement by State Party Lithuania, that it is taking immediate steps to withdraw from this life-saving international treaty.
The CCM was adopted in Dublin on 30 May 2008 by States seeking to address the inhumane and indiscriminate impact of cluster munitions. In joining the CCM in 2011, Lithuania agreed to promote the humanitarian objective to cause no harm, and the international humanitarian norm of ensuring civilian protection, enshrined in the Convention.
Cluster munitions are conventional munitions designed to disperse or release explosive submunitions over a wide impact area. Due to their indiscriminate nature, cluster munitions pose a deadly threat to civilians at the time of their use, when they fail to function as intended or when they are abandoned. Cluster munition remnants kill or maim civilians, obstruct economic and social development, impede post-conflict rehabilitation and reconstruction, negatively impact on national and international peace-building and humanitarian assistance efforts, and have many other severe consequences that have been shown to persist for many years after their use.
The Convention on Cluster Munitions is a strong example of the contribution of humanitarian disarmament to peace and development goals. Since the CCM came into force in August 2010, States have achieved great progress by eliminating the global danger from the weapon and its enduring legacy. To date, Lithuania has contributed to that success, fulfilling all of its obligations under the Convention in a timely manner and participating in international cooperation and assistance efforts.
In today’s challenging security context and in view of the devastation caused by cluster munitions in a number of ongoing (and long forgotten) conflicts, the imperative to uphold the CCM norm prohibiting the use, production, or stockpiling of cluster munitions, is more pertinent than ever. In keeping with Lithuania’s demonstrated commitment to, and obligation under, international law and international humanitarian law, we strongly discourage the country’s withdrawal from the CCM and stand ready to engage in any and all possible constructive means to collectively strengthen the protection of civilians in said country and elsewhere. Multilateralism, humanitarian ethos and respect for the rule of law are key values to guide us forward.