Cluster bombs claim hundreds more lives

The Russia-Ukraine conflict contributed to a rise last year in the number of casualties around the world attributed to cluster bombs, according to a report from the Cluster Munition Coalition.

The group of non-governmental organizations said in its Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor report released on Tuesday that at least 1,172 casualties in eight countries were caused by the controversial bombs.

The casualties, people who were either killed or maimed, were largely in Ukraine, and 95 percent of them were civilians, the report added.

The international watchdog said the number of casualties caused by the ordnance was the largest since it began its annual report in 2010.

Cluster bombs, which fall in large numbers close together, creating a carpet of apparently indiscriminate destruction, have been controversial for decades. In 2008, 107 countries and territories signed the UN's Convention on Cluster Munitions, through which they agreed to no longer stockpile, distribute, or use the weapons. The number of signatories has since grown to 124.

The convention, which is supervised by the United Nations secretary-general and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, includes provision for the gathering of data and publication of reports that monitor whether nations are complying with the rules.

The tally of 1,172 casualties in the latest report includes 890 in Ukraine, 84 in Syria, and 13 in Myanmar. There were also casualties in Azerbaijan, Iraq, Laos, Lebanon, and Yemen. Many of those killed or injured by the devices were children who had handled old, unexploded bombs left over from past conflicts.

The Cluster Munition Coalition's report noted that both Russia and Ukraine had used cluster bombs in Ukraine, and that the US had recently decided to supply the weapons to Ukraine. Russia has previously denied using cluster munitions in Ukraine.

The Associated Press news agency said opponents of cluster bombs believe the US decision to supply the weapons to Ukraine could dilute rules aimed at limiting their proliferation.

Mary Wareham, from Human Rights Watch, which is a member of the Cluster Munitions Coalition, told AP the group was "extremely concerned" about the decision Washington made in July to supply artillery-delivered 155mm cluster bombs.

She said the group hopes nations that signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which do not include the US, Russia, Ukraine, or Syria, will not lose faith in the agreement.

She told AP signatories should "stay strong" and not "weaken their position on the treaty as a result of the US decision". "And we don't see that happening yet. But it's always a danger," Wareham added.

She said the use of cluster munitions is "of grave concern" because of "the documented harm to civilians and the fact that a majority of countries have banned these weapons".