	Stop Cluster Bombs UPDATE: In July 2011, Act for Peace handed more than 800 signatures to the Attorney General’s department calling for an end to the use of cluster bombs. Cluster bombs are large bombs containing hundreds of smaller bomblets which are dispersed over a wide area. Many lie on the ground unexploded for years, even decades, after a conflict. 98 per cent of the victims of unexploded cluster bombs are civilians. Take action against cluster bombing now, by writing to your local member of Parliament following the step-by-step process below. Photo: Alison Locke/CMC Read More

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Dear ,

I am writing to express my concern about the proposed Criminal Code Amendment %28Cluster Munitions Prohibition%29 Bill 2010.%3cbr /%3e
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A shocking 98 percent of unexploded cluster munition victims are civilians%2c and one third are children. Unexploded cluster bombs lay on the ground and act like landmines for years%2c even decades%2c after a conflict. %3cbr /%3e
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I urge you to request that the Senate amend the Bill to take into account the following concerns raised by the more than 35 member organisations of the Cluster Munitions Coalition%2c including Act for Peace%3a %3cstrong%3e%3cbr /%3e
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Close loopholes that permit us to assist the US to use these weapons%3c/strong%3e %3cbr /%3e
The proposed legislation allows Australian forces to assist with activities that are prohibited by the Convention. The spirit of article 21 in the Convention on Cluster Munitions was to protect troops of signatory countries from prosecution for actions by other nations not party to the conventions. It was never intended to allow either limited or unlimited collaboration in the use of cluster bombs with non-signatory nations.%3cbr /%3e
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No stockpiles on Australian soil%3c/strong%3e%3cbr /%3e
The proposed legislation allows foreign forces unfettered access to use Australian territory to stockpile and transit their cluster bombs. This is clearly facilitating the use of cluster bombs and should not be permitted.%3cbr /%3e
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Retention of live cluster bombs in Australia%3c/strong%3e%3cbr /%3e
The proposed legislation allows Australia to retain a stockpile of live cluster bombs without specifying any reporting obligations and setting a minimum number%2c as required by the Convention.%3cbr /%3e
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No mention of our obligation to clear land and help victims%3c/strong%3e%3cbr /%3e
The proposed legislation does not mention any of the positive obligations to assist in clearance%2c victim assistance and to universalise the treaty.%3cbr /%3e
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No prohibition on indirect investment in cluster bomb production%3c/strong%3e%3cbr /%3e
While the proposed legislation prohibits direct investment in the production of cluster munitions%2c it does not prevent all investment in companies which produce cluster munitions.%3cbr /%3e
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Thank you for your consideration of this urgent issue.%3cstrong%3e%3cbr /%3e
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Yours Sincerely,

Stop Cluster Bombs

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