Leech calls for Ban on Cluster Bombs

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 24th Sep 2006

Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, John Leech, is backing campaigns for a total international ban on cluster munitions.

Cluster bombs contain hundreds of 'bomblets', many of which do not explode on impact but do so later, often killing or maiming civilians. The recent conflict in the Lebanon saw the use of cluster bombs in civilian areas, and these are continuing to cause casualties.

There have been international efforts to ban the use of cluster munitions at the UN in the past. However, a number of Countries, including the UK, has always blocked these moves.

John Leech has now written to Tony Blair calling for him to change Britain's position on the issue and back the banning of cluster bombs at the next review conference of the UN Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), in November.

John Leech MP said:

"Unexploded 'bomblets' can prove devastating for civilians for years to come. Yet the British Government has continually blocked international moves to ban them. This is shameful."

"There needs to be an outright and international ban on the use of these barbaric weapons. Britain should be at the forefront of this campaign, not blocking it."

"The CCW in November is an opportunity for the Prime Minister to make a U-Turn and show that he is now in step with most in this country, who see no legitimate place for cluster bombs in the modern world."

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