Protest held over use of cluster bombs in Georgia

The Government has been called upon to publicly condemn Russia over its alleged use of cluster munitions against Georgian civilians last week.

A vigil was held outside the Russian embassy in Dublin this afternoon to protest against the use of cluster bombs in the conflict over South Ossetia.

Cluster munitions consist of canisters packed with as many as 650 small bombs, or "bomblets," that scatter over a large area when a canister is dropped from an aircraft or fired from the ground. The bomblets often don't explode until long after a conflict is over.

According to Human Rights Watch, Russian aircraft dropped RBK-250 cluster bombs on the town of Ruisi in the Kareli district of Georgia last Tuesday. Three civilians were killed and five were wounded in the attack.

On the same day, a cluster strike in the centre of the town of Gori killed at least eight civilians and injured dozens, Human Rights Watch said.

Protesters at today's vigil, which was organised by the Cluster Munitions Coalition (CMC) Ireland and Action from Ireland (Afri), urged the Government to express its opposition to Russia’s recent use of cluster bombs.

An international agreement to outlaw cluster munitions was formally adopted by over 100 countries at a conference held in Dublin in May following months of wrangling.

Russia, along with other major cluster munitions users such as the United States, China, Pakistan and India, refused to sign the treaty.

The countries signing up to the agreement have pledged not to use, make or sell cluster bombs, and to destroy existing stockpiles within eight years. In addition, areas contaminated with bomblets scattered by the munitions are to be cleared and significant steps will be introduced to assist victims.

The draft treaty is to be signed by world leaders in Oslo on December 3rd.

“Just over two months ago Ireland was instrumental in leading international efforts to secure a total prohibition on the use, trade and production of cluster munitions and we are calling on the Government to continue to show leadership on this issue by protesting to Russia for its use of such deadly weapons,” said Susan Hensel of CMC Ireland.

“It is essential that the Government voice its opposition in the strongest terms and make it clear that it disagrees with the use of cluster munitions by any nation in any situation,” she added.

The Russian embassy in Dublin was unavailable for comment.

Meanwhile, a member of Ireland’s Rapid Response Corps flew into Georgia yesterday to assist the humanitarian effort in the region. Anthony Taylor will work as a logistics officer with Unicef providing relief to those unsettled by the recent conflict.

Mr Taylor has previously worked in a range of humanitarian emergency situations, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Lebanon, Pakistan following the 2005 earthquake and Indonesia following the 2004 tsunami.