Victims of Cluster Bombs and Landmines Speak Up, Raise Condemnation
The Second Meeting for States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions resumed its calendar program on Tuesday in its second day in Beirut, where the meeting was launched with official statement from States Parties.
Representatives from many countries including Guatemala, Spain, Croatia, Hungary, Denmark, Iran, Japan, Colombia, Iraq, Laos, Egypt, Thailand, Luxembourg, Afghanistan, Philippine, and other countries expressed their government's commitment to the articles of the convention and their support to the Beirut Declaration which is expected to be announced at the end of the meeting on Friday.
The conference also welcomed many activists in international nongovernmental organizations campaigning against Cluster Munitions. Victims of landmines and cluster bombs are also taking part in the conference to raise their voice against such violent weapons.
On his part, Raed El Rahhman Mokaled, a Cluster Munition Coalition Campaigner, and a father of a child who was martyred due to a cluster bomb explosion in 1999, in the Lebanese southern town of Toul near Nabatiyeh, tells moqawama.org the impact that experience had on his life.
He narrated that one day they decided to hold his son's birthday in a picnic in February.
"The kids were playing and then we heard an explosion. I ran and saw that my son was hurt by a cluster bomb explosion, I hurried and transferred him to the hospital, but three hours later he martyred", Mokaled said.
"His whole body was injured due to the explosion of the unknown object he carried, which until now we are not sure what it was", he added.
Furthermore, Mr. Raed Mokaled stated that he is present at the meeting to raise his voice in condemnation for the use of cluster munitions, adding that he joined the coalition in supporting the ban on cluster munitions.
"I joined the coalition since four years, and it is true that my son was a victim of cluster munitions, but here I speak in the name of all victims who work on foiling all cluster bomb attempts", Mokaled affirmed.
Mokaled noted the uniqueness in this convention, where he believed that this is the only one with a specialized aspect on a victim assistance program.
"The least we can consider is that so far, we have set a convention. Either we don't have a convention and no one is condemned for their activities, or we are provided a convention which is violated. I really hope that this treaty would not be breached, and with time I expect that the use of cluster munitions would decrease, because the articles of the treaty are pressuring the countries", Mokaled further added.
On another hand, Mokaled referred to the "Israeli" enemy saying, "However, the "Israeli" enemy is not affected, but as we know it has no problem with the international community and in violating the international law; it doesn't care".
"We are not expecting that "Israel" or the US would sign the convention, where "Israel" is indifferent, and the US is the greatest producer of cluster bombs", he indicated.
Mr. Mokaled went on to say that the US has 750 million cluster bombs and it needs to dispose of them, and most of the cluster munitions used by "Israel" are American made, and some of which have expired; which would have a more negative effect if launched.
Upon question about his march in anti-cluster bomb campaigns, Mokaled told moqawama.org, "I started my campaigning against the cluster munitions since the Oslo declaration, and since the initiative to state a convention, I have been part of every step. This issue has a personal impact on me".
Moreover, Mokaled affirmed that he doesn't believe in revenge because it would mean armed violence, but he believes in revenge in a positive manner.
On the level of the signatories of the convention, Mokaled expressed, "We are proud to see that many countries are signing the convention. And I feel that my son, even if in 0.5%, has contributed in convincing those countries to sign and ratify the CCM".
Wrapping up his stance, he believed that Lebanon now, as a victim country, has become part of the convention; however it could still remain a victim as many people are now still expecting that "Israel" might again bombard Lebanon with cluster munitions. God forbid.
From the South American El Salvador, Executive Director of the organization of the survivors and disabled people, Senior Jesus Martinez is also a victim who lost both his legs due to landmines which he stepped on when he was 17 on his way to work.
This was during the civil war which took place in his country back then when Martinez was not part of any military affiliation or group.
"I am now working for a nongovernmental organization which helps victims of cluster munitions and landmines in El Salvador, and also helps disabled war victims", Martinez stated in an interview with moqawama.org.
He also added, "My international campaigning in this regard began ten years ago, but before that I was campaigning in my home country".
Regarding his visit to the rehabilitation center in the southern Lebanese town of Srafand, Jesus Martinez expressed his positive impression regarding the complete service that the center offers to victims and disabled people.
He said that there are centers in El Salvador but the services differ.
On the level of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, Sr. Jesus Martinez believed, "It is a good convention where it enables the victims of cluster munitions to participate, however we are here to call upon and urge all governments to do more to assist the victims".
"Some countries have reported the different aspects of development which they have achieved regarding this convention", he added with reference to the statements States Parties have been announcing during the sessions.
As he is a victim, Martinez reiterated the importance of governmental support of the victim assistance programs that would facilitate the lives of cluster bombs and landmines victims, stating, "In the past conference the victims were disappointed because we saw that the governments were presenting very little for victim assistance programs".
"They are doing a great job regarding clearing the contaminated areas, but the victim assistance is the last issue that they are discussing", Martinez noted expressing disappointment.
On another hand, he stressed that the issue of convincing more countries into signing the convention should be on the governments' agendas because the cluster munitions are a threat that would harm the countries' community, economy, and population.
Sr. Martinez praised the Lebanese stance in fighting the "Israeli" cluster bombs fired at Lebanon during the 2006 war, stating that he believes Lebanon is doing an important job, and all governments should be doing the same.
This is only a tip of the iceberg representing the victims and voices raised against the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of cluster munitions.
Participants of the conference are all hoping governments would reach and offer the best regarding all articles of the CCM, including victim assistance programs, which would highly support and facilitate the lives of victims around the globe.
