LONDON: UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated on Saturday that Britain is part of a convention that “discourages” the use of cluster munitions, following the announcement by the United States that it plans to send these controversial weapons to Ukraine.
The decision by Washington to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, who highlight the ongoing danger posed by unexploded bomblets even after a conflict has ended.
In response to the situation, the US government stated that it had received assurances from Kyiv that it would take measures to minimize the risk to civilians. US President Joe Biden acknowledged that supplying Ukraine with these weapons was a “difficult decision”.
UK Signatory to Convention that Prohibits Use of Cluster Munitions
Addressing the issue, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized that the UK is a signatory to a convention that prohibits the production or use of cluster munitions and actively discourages their use. Speaking in televised remarks, he stated, “We will continue to do our part to support Ukraine against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion. But we’ve done that by providing heavy battle tanks and most recently long-range weapons, and hopefully all countries can continue to support Ukraine.”
Sunak further condemned Russia’s actions, describing them as acts of barbarism causing immense suffering to millions of people. He stressed the importance of collective action to stand up against such aggression.
The 2008 Oslo Convention, which bans the production, storage, sale, and use of cluster munitions, has been signed by a total of 123 countries. However, it is notable that Russia, Ukraine, and the United States are not signatories to the convention.
