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Austrian pioneers in Ratification on Cluster Ammunitions |
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Quick Ratification of Convention on Cluster Munitions proves Austria’s pioneer role in humanitarian disarmament
Austria becomes the sixth country to deposit the ratification instrument in New York
Nathalie Schueller © HOPI-MEDIA
Spindelegger in New York
Vienna, 3 April 2009 – "Yesterday evening, Austria became the sixth country worldwide to deposit the ratification instrument of the Convention on Cluster Munitions with the United Nations in New York. With its comprehensive ban on this inhuman weapon, the treaty constitutes a milestone in the development of humanitarian international law. The quick ratification of the treaty once again proves Austria’s pioneering role in the international process against cluster munition", said Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger, who then pointed out the fact that compliance with and further development of humanitarian international law also represents one of Austria’s priorities during its two-year membership in the United Nations Security Council.
Since early 2007, Austria has been one of the initiators of the international process against cluster munition, consistently supporting a most extensive ban and comprehensive aid for the victims. Austria was the first country worldwide to adopt a total ban on cluster munition in January 2008. The Vienna Conference on Cluster Munition in December 2007 brought together representatives from 138 states to Vienna, winning over several new supporters for an international ban. The result was a draft of an international law convention supported by the international community, which was adopted in May 2008 at a conference in Dublin. On 3 December 2008, the Convention on Cluster Munitions was solemnly signed in Oslo by 94 states.
"Now the aim is to quickly implement the convention. All Austrian cluster munition stockpiles are to be destroyed as early as this year. Moreover, we will undertake efforts on an international level to ensure a quick entry into force and the greatest possible universal support for the convention. We are already finding out that the stigmatizing effect of the convention is also having an influence on states that have not yet signed“, said the Foreign Minister, who pointed out the exemplary effect of the Antipersonnel Mine Ban Convention, which so far has been signed by more than 150 states. Another objective mentioned by the Minister was the optimization of practical cooperation between the treaty instruments of the antipersonnel mine and cluster munition conventions.
On the occasion of the deposit of the ratification instrument, Foreign Minister Spindelegger emphasized the fruitful cooperation between state institutions and committed citizens, which should continue to form the basis for a successful security policy in future projects of humanitarian disarmament and non-proliferation. To deliver proof of the good cooperation between the Federal Government, the Parliament, and the civil society in developing the treaty, Austria had signed the convention in Oslo in the presence of one representative from Parliament and one from civil society.
Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs
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