European Parliament takes stand against biological weapons and cluster bombs

11.08.49am GMT Thu 16th Nov 2006

The EU must put its weight behind moves to ban cluster bombs according to Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne.

MEPs today responded to Council of Minister's and European Commission statements on the Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention (BTWC), cluster bombs and conventional weapons.

Speaking in the debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Liz said:

"With a review of the Conventional Weapons Convention taking place this week and the Biological and Toxic Agents Convention next week, it is important that the EU's voice is heard. One of the main concerns that I have is the continued use of cluster bombs"

"We have seen the widespread use of cluster bombs in recent conflicts including Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon to name but a few. They are not covered by the 1997 Treaty on Landmines so they are used with impunity but still have the same devastating effect with civilians being maimed or killed for years after."

"According to the report Fatal Footprint, published this month by Handicap International, at least 4 million bomblets were delivered by the Israel Defence Force into Lebanon between July and August this year. Worldwide civilians constitute 98% of all recorded cluster munitions casualties"

"This is one reason why I today called on the European Commission and the Council of Ministers to endorse the growing movement for change within the international community and moves by countries such as Belgium and Norway to establish national legislation to ban cluster munitions from their territory and armed forces"

"I would also like to applaud the Red Cross for their campaign and call for a ban on the use of cluster bombs, for stockpiles to be destroyed and for clearance programmes to be stepped up."

"As far as biological and toxic weapons are concerned, the EU must put pressure on the US Government about their refusal to countenance a legally binding verification protocol; this is damaging the future of the biological and toxic weapons convention and its credibility. We must also make sure that a permanent secretariat is set up to oversee the Convention's Implementation."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The Third Review Conference of the 1980 Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW, the so-called 'inhumane weapons convention'), is taking place in Geneva from 7 to 17 November 2006;

The Sixth Review Conference of the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) to be held in Geneva from 20 November to 8 December 2006