UN-partnered Cluster Munition Monitor: record civilian cluster munitions victims as experts urge global ban

The UN-partnered Cluster Munition Monitor (CMC) has released its 2023 report, revealing a disturbing rise in civilian casualties resulting from cluster munitions. In 2022, a total of 1,172 people were killed or injured, marking the highest number since regular reporting began in 2010, 95% of these casualties were civilians, emphasizing the severe humanitarian impact of these weapons.

Cluster munitions, which indiscriminately scatter sub-munitions over large areas, violate international humanitarian law. The Convention on Cluster Munitions, enforced since 2010, bans their use, stockpiling, production, and transfer.

While 112 countries uphold the convention, with 12 signatories, challenges persist. Notably, cluster munitions were used extensively in Ukraine, causing significant civilian harm. Syria, Myanmar, and others also employed these weapons, posing long-term risks from unexploded remnants. Alarmingly, children accounted for 71% of remnant casualties in 2022.

The report emphasizes the need for global condemnation of cluster munition use and unified support for the ban. It underscores the importance of education and awareness to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children. Some 124 countries have successfully eliminated cluster munitions from their arsenals, opting for alternative warfare methods. The report underscores the urgency of international efforts to eradicate these deadly weapons and safeguard civilians.