I attended a session on cluster bombs, at The Houses of Parliament in London. The session brought together Member of Parliament Frank Cook, Thomas Nash from Cluster Munition Coalition, Brenda Heard from Friends of Lebanon, Lebanese victims of cluster bombs, ambassadors, sponsors, media representatives and other participants from social and political organisations.
The session aimed at raising awareness on the damaging impact of cluster bombs, and empowering participants to get involved in encouraging countries to sign and ratify The Convention on Cluster Munitions. So far 101 countries have signed (including the UK) and 23 have ratified. UK is expected to ratify the convention within the next few months. 7 more ratifications are needed until the convention is entered into force.
“The Convention on Cluster Munitions, CCM, prohibits all use, stockpiling, production and transfer of Cluster Munitions. Separate articles in the Convention concern assistance to victims, clearance of contaminated areas and destruction of stockpiles.” www.clusterconvention.org
The reason Lebanon was placed at the centre of this session was because it is one of the countries that has suffered the most from cluster bombs. During the July War in 2006, the number of cluster bombs dropped on Lebanon exceeded the population of the country. This is a simple indicator:
The session started with an introduction by Brenda Heard, then a screening of the documentary ‘72 Hours’ about the cluster bombs that hit Lebanon from the 12th to the 14 of August 2006, and their ongoing impact on the lives of Lebanese in south Lebanon (if you would like to watch this documentary please express your interest in the comments). Then Hussein gave a testimony of losing his leg 20 months ago – on his 13th birthday – from a cluster bomb. Most of the cluster bombs hit farmlands and fields in South Lebanon, and according to Hussein, these fields are the only playgrounds that children in the south have. Over 80% of the injuries and deaths from cluster bombs affect children. A representative from Lebanon Mine Action Center explained during his presentation that the centre’s main action – aside from demining – was introducing behaviour change campaigns in the primary school curriculum, where children in the south are educated on how to recognise cluster bombs or areas marked with danger of cluster bombs, and to act upon any discoveries by not touching, and informing the right demining authorities. The facilitators responsible for delivering these awareness programmes are previous victims of cluster bombs. The session ended with Thomas Nash explaining the progress of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and a final word by Member of Parliament Frank Cook inviting ambassadors and representatives to raise awareness on this serious matter and encourage governments in their countries to sign and ratify the convention.
At the end of the session, I felt deeply moved by the urgency of this matter, but more moved by the fact that this urgency has only been brought to my attention during a session at the Houses of Parliament in London. I was in Lebanon during the July War of 2006, and have been up to date with Lebanese news since then, but I have to admit that awareness around cluster bombs have been given mediocre attention by the media and politicians in Lebanon, compared to the awareness that I gained from attending this session. Of course Lebanese citizens in the south of Lebanon (predominantly Shia) are highly aware of this issue as it is an integral obstacle in their day to day lives. Aside from injuring and taking lives, it has stopped many farmers from farming their lands and grazing their cattle, and many children from enjoying the outdoors in their backyards and nearby fields.
In a country as small as Lebanon – where Beirut is only a 2-hour drive from the areas affected by cluster bombs – the reason behind this lack of awareness/empathy/sympathy from social groups who live in other parts of Lebanon can only be a result of a segregated society, and a segregated media.
