94 states have signed a Treaty that will ban the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions. The historic ceremony took place in Oslo, Norway on Wednesday 3 December. The Treaty obliges nations to destroy all stockpiles within eight years and to clear contaminated land within ten years. It is hoped that the number of countries will rise to 100 before the end of 2008.

Survivors from some of the most affected countries, including Laos, Cambodia, Serbia and Lebanon, spoke at the signing ceremony alongside national delegations.

The Treaty was slightly weakened by some EU states which demanded a clause permitting them to participate in warfare alongside state forces that have not yet signed and may therefore still be using cluster munitions. The US has not yet signed. Nor has China, Russia or Israel.

Article 21.3 of the Convention reads: “States Parties, their military personnel or nationals, may engage in military cooperation and operations with States not party to this Convention that might engage in activities prohibited to a State Party.”

However, Steve Goose, Co-Chair of the Cluster Munitions Coalition said: “Like the landmine ban treaty, this treaty will stigmatise the use of the weapon by all countries, even if they have not yet signed. Nations such as the United States, Russia, and Israel will risk severe international condemnation if they ever use cluster munitions again.”

The Convention also includes an article on victim assistance, which obliges states to provide age- and gender-sensitive assistance, including medical care, rehabilitation and psychological support, and to provide for social and economic inclusion of victims.

Laura Cheeseman, from the CMC said: “This is the most significant disarmament and humanitarian Treaty of the decade and will save countless future lives and limbs. We urge all States who have not yet done so to join the rest of the world in preventing future suffering.”