Ban Cluster Bombs

The Times
Tuesday, 18 September 2007

Sir, Today marks the tenth anniversary of the negotiation of an international treaty banning antipersonnel landmines. That treaty is a testament to the ability of governments, civil society groups and individuals to act together to protect the vulnerable. Ten years on, governments again have the opportunity to put protecting the innocent before their capacity to kill, by working for a prohibition on the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of cluster bombs.

Violence is always abhorrent, but it is all the more pitiful when this violence continues to kill and maim even after the human confrontation has abated. Like landmines, cluster bombs sow death and injury in the fields and villages of innocent men, women and children. Like landmines, they make rebuilding after conflict more painful and precarious.

This year, governments will meet again to work towards a ban on cluster bombs. We urge the UK Government to seize this opportunity to strengthen the protection afforded to the weak and vulnerable. People of all faiths will recognise such action as working for justice and for peace.

MARTYN ATKINS
President, Methodist Conference

MUHAMMAD ABDUL BARI
Muslim Council of Britain

COLIN BENNETT
Bishop of Coventry

THE REV JONATHAN EDWARDS
Baptist Union of Great Britain

BISHOP WILLIAM KENNEY, CP
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales

RABBI DANNY RICH
Chief Executive, Liberal Judaism

INDARJIT SINGH
Director, Network of Sikh Organisations

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/debate/letters/article2477204.ece