Stop explosive investments in cluster bombs!

Explosion © S.Freedman/Handicap International

Let’s take action for the victims!

Cluster bombs kill and maim civilians. They are illegal under UK and international law. But UK banks are still funding companies that produce them.

You can make a difference. Email Vince Cable, the Minister in charge of regulating UK banks, and ask him to stop investments in illegal cluster bombs.

Simply send the model email below or, better still, add your own personal message.

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Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
Dear Dr Cable,
I am writing to you as part of Handicap International’s campaign to stop explosive investments in cluster munitions. As you know, the Convention on Cluster Munitions entered into force on 1st August 2010, prohibiting the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of cluster munitions.  In ratifying the Convention on 4th May 2010, the UK government has shown a real commitment to the protection of civilians from the effects of armed conflict and to the strengthening of international humanitarian law.
Organisations such as Handicap International have seen up-close the human cost of cluster munitions. These weapons fall indiscriminately over large areas, causing widespread harm on impact. Unexploded submunitions remain a threat to civilians for decades after a conflict has ended. Over the last 40 years, cluster munitions have killed and injured tens of thousands of civilians and continue to pose a risk today, in countries such as Afghanistan, Cambodia, Lebanon and Libya.
With this in mind, I was dismayed to see the report by IKV Pax Christi and Netwerk Vlaanderen, released in May 2011, indicating that leading UK-based financial institutions are continuing to invest in companies involved in the production of cluster munitions. The report can be viewed at: w<a href="ww.stopexplosiveinvestments.org/report" target="_blank">ww.stopexplosiveinvestments.org/report</a>
Financial investment in cluster munitions producers is a form of assistance in the production of these illegal weapons. Article 1c of the Convention on Cluster Munitions states that “each State Party undertakes never under any circumstances to assist, encourage or induce anyone to engage in any activity prohibited to a State Party under this Convention.”
It is unacceptable for any UK-based financial institution to be financing, either directly or indirectly, a weapon that is banned under UK and international law. The Foreign Office and Number 10 have both indicated that it is up to civil society groups to stop indirect financing of cluster munitions by putting pressure on banks. But, as Minister in charge of business and banking issues, you are in an ideal position to help.
We are calling on your government to publicly state that all financing of cluster munitions (direct and indirect) should cease. We are also asking you to facilitate a process, in collaboration with UK banks and NGOs, to develop a code of conduct that will prevent any future investments in cluster munitions. Your action on this issue will make a significant difference, ensuring that all UK banks and financial institutions, particularly those mentioned in the above report, respect the UK’s obligations under the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
I look forward to your response.

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