Liz Lynne backs Euro call for cluster bomb ban

12.00.00am GMT Thu 19th Jan 2006

Lib Dem MEP Liz Lynne today welcomed the European Parliament's renewed call for the eradication of cluster bombs and related weapons systems.

The European Parliament made the call as part of a resolution on disability in the developing world, saying it "supports fully, given the effects especially on child victims, the global battle to eradicate anti-personnel landmines and other related controversial weapons systems such as cluster submunitions."

In 2001 the European Parliament passed a resolution calling for an immediate global moratorium on the use of cluster bombs, followed by an outright ban. However cluster bombs continue to be used by most European countries, including the UK, and they have been deployed in recent conflicts such as Kosovo and Iraq.

Commenting on today's resolution, Liz Lynne said:

"Cluster bombs, along with landmines, are a leading cause of preventable disability in the developing world. Unexploded munitions cause severe injury, permanent disability and death on daily basis."

"The European Parliament was right today to speak out: now Europe's governments must follow suit."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1.MEPs today passed the motion for a resolution calling on the European Commission to stress disability in its development policy.

2.The motion seeks to eradicate the use of cluster bombs and landmines. Section 15 reads:

"Supports fully, given the effects especially on child victims, the global battle to eradicate anti-personnel landmines and other related controversial weapons systems such as cluster sub-munitions; calls on the Council and the Commission to undertake urgent and decisive measures against countries that still manufacture, sell or use landmines; calls on the Council and Commission to prioritise landmine clearance in developing countries."

3.Liz Lynne is also Vice Chair of the All Party Disability Intergroup and President of the Liberal Democrat Disability Association and is Rapporteur for the European Disability Action Plan.