After Human Rights Watch provided additional documentation of Russian cluster munition attacks in Georgia, the coalition urged swift action by the New Zealand government to condemn use of the weapon.

Human Rights Watch researchers photographed unexploded submunitions from cluster munitions in and around the villages of Shindisi, in the Gori district of Georgia. Residents from Shindisi and the nearby Pkhvenisi village told the researchers that there are hundreds of unexploded submunitions in the area. These submunition “duds” are highly dangerous and can explode if picked up or otherwise disturbed. Georgian and Russian authorities must take urgent measures to protect the civilian population in Georgian villages from unexploded ordnance left by Russian attacks.

On 15 August, the Aotearoa New Zealand Cluster Munition (ANZCMC) called on the New Zealand government to strongly oppose Russia’s use of cluster munitions in Georgia.  The call was reiterated in a 22 August letter from the coalition to Minister of Disarmament Hon. Phil Goff.  The Minister responded on 14 October.

See also:
* Goff Letter to ANZCMC on Russia, 14 October
* ANZCMC Letter to Georgian President, 3 September
* ANZCMC Letter to Hon. Phil Goff, 22 August
* HRW Press Release & Photographs, 21 August
* HRW Press Release, 15 August
* Download ANZCMC Press Release, 15 August
* Download ANZCMC Letter to Russian Embassy in Wellington
* View Photographs of ANZCMC protest at Russian Embassy in Wellington
* Download Campaign Messages in Russian Language
* View Human Rights Watch Press Release

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