Cluster bombs: Ireland leads the way

Great news today as over 100 countries line up in Oslo to sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions, a treaty for which Amnesty's members and allies worldwide have battled long and hard.

The fact that the Republic of Ireland is one of only two countries which will ratify – as well as sign – the treaty today ought to be welcomed by all Amnesty supporters in Ireland. Ireland and Norway led the way in the brokering of the treaty with the final deal being done at a big conference in Dublin's Croke Park in May. Thirty countries must ratify the Convention for it come into effect.

Northern politicians did their bit too. Representatives from across the parties supported our briefing event at Stormont in the run-up to the Dublin conference, while Mark Durkan of the SDLP tabled an Early Day Motion at Westminster backing the campaign. The EDM was signed by over fifty MPs from all the main UK parties.

While the cluster bombs treaty isn't perfect – and isn't yet backed by major players / offenders like the United States, China and Russia – it is a huge step forward in our campaign to curb the trade and use of arms.

Roll on the international Arms Trade Treaty…