Bill introduced to restrict the use, export of dangerous cluster munitions

U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) recently introduced a bill called the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act, which aims to restrict the use and export of dangerous cluster munitions to protect civilians during and after wartime.

Cluster munitions are defined as bombs or artillery shells that contain various submunitions that leave behind unexploded ordnances, like land mines. Cluster munitions can remain hidden from sight underground and ultimately become harmful for generations of people who may come across them. In 2015, cluster munitions resulted in the deaths of civilians from eight different countries.

According to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which was entered into force in 2008, the use, production, acquisition, export, or transfer of cluster munitions has been banned and stockpiles were required to be destroyed. Enforcement of the convention has already led to the destruction of approximately 1.4 million cluster munitions and 170 million submunitions. It was ratified by 100 State Parties, including Canada, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Provisions in the bill include prohibiting the United States military from using cluster munitions if greater than one percent of the weapon’s submunitions result in unexploded ordinances, restricting cluster munitions exports, and encouraging the United States to ratify the Convention on Cluster Munitions as soon as possible.

“Cluster munitions, which are scattered by the thousands over a wide area, have caused horrific suffering and death among civilians in every conflict in which they have been used, often years after the fighting ended,” Leahy said. “Our bill would put in place strict criteria to reduce harm to innocents, but the Pentagon should end its use of these indiscriminate weapons.”

The bill was cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Al Franken (D-MN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Tom Udall (D-NM), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ed Markey (D-MA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). A companion bill was introduced in the House by U.S. Reps. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Darrell Issa (R-CA).