The Cluster Munition Coalition has slammed Lithuania’s plans to leave the convention banning such weapons.
The coalition strongly urges Lithuania’s Seimas to reject the proposal to denounce the conventions, saying that such a decision would send a message to the world that international humanitarian law can be disregarded when national security concerns arise.
“Leaving the international treaty banning cluster munitions sets a dangerous precedent for the convention and endangers the lives of civilians, including Lithuania’s own citizens, for decades to come,” a press release from the Cluster Munition Coalition quoted its director, Tamar Gabelnick, as saying.
The coalition urges all countries that have banned cluster munitions to denounce Lithuania’s decision and urge Lithuania to stay in the convention.
Lithuanian MPs on Thursday approved in the first reading the proposal to denounce the convention banning cluster munitions and will continue debating it under a fast-track procedure. Following withdrawal from the convention, Lithuania intends to acquire cluster munitions through joint purchases with allies in the future.
The country’s officials also assure that Lithuania’s withdrawal from the convention does not negate the country’s obligations to the principles of international humanitarian law.
Lithuania has decided to withdraw from the convention in a bid to strengthen its defence capabilities and those of the allies deployed in the country.
Lithuania joined the Convention on Cluster Munitions in 2011.
The agreement prohibits the use, production, and acquisition of cluster munitions and sets out specific obligations to address the humanitarian consequences of these weapons.
Among the NATO member states sharing a border with Russia, only Lithuania and Norway are currently parties to the convention.
A cluster munition is an air-dropped or ground-launched explosive weapon that ejects smaller submunitions.
In mid-July 2023, the United States supplied these weapons to Ukraine, which is fighting back against Russia’s aggression.
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