Should cluster munitions be considered weapons which through their normal use violate fundamental principles of international humanitarian law?
The debate has been going on since the 1970s. An increasingly wide group of stakeholders – from the European Parliament, government representatives and military experts to UN agencies and NGOs – has in recent years called for strict regulations on their use, including an outright ban on certain types of cluster munitions. A number of countries, including Denmark and Norway, have introduced prohibitions on cluster munitions.
Investors’ approaches to the specific challenges posed by the military industry vary. Over the past year divestment from ‘controversial weapons’ has gained significant attention among investors in some European countries, e.g. Belgium, Denmark, Norway and The Netherlands. It is an approach which offers the opportunity to address concerns about the complicity of arms producing companies in violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in a both relevant and feasible manner. As such it can be expected to gain attention also in new markets.
On February 14, the Swedish Parliament is hosting a seminar with Svenska Afghanistankommittén (Swedish Afghanistan Committee)and Svenska Freds- och Skiljedomsföreningen (The Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society) on Cluster Ammunition - humanitarian consequences versus military needs.
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