Campaigners celebrate as Convention becomes binding international law

The Convention on Cluster Munitions takes effect on Sunday, 1 August 2010, when it becomes binding international law in countries around the world. In dozens of countries, campaigners from the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) will join UN agencies, governments and international organisations in events celebrating the swift entry into force of the most significant disarmament and humanitarian treaty in over a decade.

Read full story at:
http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/news/?id=2555

KENYA: The Darkening War Monday, Time magazine,Mar. 08, 1954

Commanding General Sir George Erskine sent his 39th Brigade in pursuit. The crack Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers caught one Mau Mau detachment at a river crossing, ambushed another in the Maragua Valley. In this valley alone, the Fusiliers bagged 76 Mau Mau. The R.A.F. strafed and bombed the Mau Mau remnants as they fell back to their forests, and the British soon had them cornered on a wooded hill known as Blarney Castle. Mau Mau losses in the battle so far: 197 killed, including two "generals." Total British loss: three wounded.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,889888,00.html#ixzz13RsO71d0

Some believe that this RAF bombing may have included Cluster Bombs

At the present rate, UXO clearance will take 300 years.

Cluster bombs blanket large swaths of land and have a high “dud” rate, meaning they don’t explode on contact and go on injuring and killing civilians long after wars officially end. Experts say the cluster bombs used in Vietnam are estimated to have a “dud” rate between 5 and 40 percent.

Three years ago, while digging for scrap metal, Thang came across a cluster bomb and carries the scars of that encounter with him today. Watch this video about Thang's experience:

For full story an watch video, please go to:
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/vietnam/100602/cluster-bombs-landmines-demining-quang-tri

Thanks to Global Post

Kenyan MPs Move to Ratify Convention on Cluster Munitions

Kenya: After kicking off the 100-day countdown last month with a visit to survivors of UXOs and bombs, the Kenya Network to Ban Cluster Munitions have made contact with two MPs who have agreed to support the cause. Already, one MP has sent questions to the AG and will be following up next week. The second MP will work on a commentary to be sent to the print media on why MPs must push for the ratification and domestication of CCM. The Kenyan Network Against Cluster Munitions also wrote two letters to the Minister for Foreign Affairs requesting a progress report on what Kenya is doing to ensure they ratify the CCM. Contact: Daniel Aghan, Handicap International Kenya: aghandan@yahoo.com

Congratulations to KIS International School, Bangkok

Belated congratulations.
Students at KIS International School in Bangkok held an exhibition on cluster munitions to raise awareness in their school and with the media in advance of Thailand’s week in the 100-day countdown. The students collected about 400 signatures and a created a big hand, on which they collected handprints in support of Thailand signing the CCM. They plan to present these signatures along with letters to the Government of Thailand during Thailand’s week of action at the end of July. Contact: Danield Dunlevie, KIS International School: Danield@kis.ac.th

See more at:http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/news/?id=2306