The Netherlands will become the new president of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) as of 1 January 2016. This was announced at the First Review Conference to the Convention on Cluster Munitions held in Dubrovnik.
The news that the Netherlands will assume the role of president of the CCM is a great step since it has not always been a proponent of a total ban on cluster munitions.
This leading role is a positive development. The Netherlands, unlike a small number of other States Parties, strongly supports condemnation of all use of cluster munitions by all actors. Together with PAX, the Netherlands pushed for the adoption of a strong Dubrovnik Political Declaration this week.
PAX welcomes the Dutch presidency. The peace movement hopes for continued progress, together with the international Cluster Munition Coalition, in the fight against cluster bombs.
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