It looks like a pact to ban current cluster bomb designs will take another step forward, with more than 100 countries slated to sign the treaty in the next couple of days. This is the next stage in a process, begun in Dublin in May 2008, to reduce the use of cluster bombs in warfare. However, the U.S., Russia and China — the largest cluster bomb manufacturers — so far have refused to sign on.

The BBC:

The first of more than 100 countries have begun signing a treaty to ban current designs of cluster bombs, at a conference in Oslo, Norway.

Campaigners are hailing the treaty as a major breakthrough.

But some of the biggest stockpilers, including the US, Russia and China, are not among the signatories.

First developed during World War II, cluster bombs contain a number of smaller bomblets designed to cover a large area and deter an advancing army.

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#arms#ban#china#cluster bombs#dublin#empire#human rights#norway#russia#treaty#united nations#usa#vietnam