Don’t use cluster munitions Thailand!
2nd May 2011 | Filed Under Coalition Actions
In a letter to Thailand’s diplomatic representative in New Zealand, Ambassador Noppadon Theppitak, the ANZCMC has expressed deep concern at Thailand’s use of cluster munitions in its February 2011 border conflict with Cambodia and urges Thailand to join the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions without delay. Read more
Report on First Meeting of States Parties
9th Feb 2011 | Filed Under Coalition Actions
The ANZCMC has issued a report on its activities during the First Meeting of States Parties to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, in Lao People’s Democratic Republic from 9-12 November 2010. Read more
ANZCMC thanks Thomas Nash
2nd Feb 2011 | Filed Under Coalition Actions
New Zealander Thomas Nash, 31 years, has stepped down as coordinator of the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC), the international parent of the Aotearoa New Zealand Cluster Munition Coalition (ANZCMC). Thomas, who finished on 31 January 2011, intends to remain active in the coalition as he begins work on a new initiative to tackle the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. Read more
Pacific campaigner Andy Piau-Lynch
30th Jan 2011 | Filed Under Coalition Actions, Wellington Conference
The ANZCMC is greatly saddened by the death of Pacific campaigner Andonia Sema Piau-Lynch. Andy passed away peacefully on Saturday, 29 January 2011 in Port Vila, Vanuatu after a painful battle with cancer. In addition to her crucial work advancing the rights of persons with disabilities and women in Vanuatu and across the Pacific, Andy made important contributions to the International Campaigns to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC).
Until 2009, Andy was national coordinator of the Disability Promotion & Advocacy Association (DPA), a local non-governmental organization for persons with disabilities that was runner-up to the 2007 Pacific Human Rights Award. Read more
Xieng Khouang field visit
25th Nov 2010 | Filed Under Coalition Actions, NZ Government
On 10 November 2010, the ANZCMC coordinator Mary Wareham participated in a field visit to Xieng Khouang province together with a high-level delegation that included New Zealand’s Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control, Hon. Georgina Te Heuheu, Princess Astrid of Belgium, Luxembourg’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other high-level representatives. Here is a brief report on the field visit prepared by Wareham. Read more
Lebanon ratifies cluster bomb ban
6th Nov 2010 | Filed Under Coalition Actions
On 5 November 2010, Lebanon deposited its instrument of ratification to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions with the United Nations in New York, becoming the 46th signatory to ratify. Lebanon’s ratification is particularly significant as the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel saw heavy use of cluster munitions in South Lebanon, causing civilian casualties that continue to this day and providing one of the catalysts for the diplomatic Oslo Process effort that resulted in the creation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Read more