As up to 40% of these weapons do not explode on impact, heavy contamination by cluster munition remnants poses a serious threat for the local population: 149 cluster munition remnants casualties were recorded globally in 2021.
The conference of State Parties to the Oslo Convention, which bans the use of cluster munitions, is due to take place from the 30th of August to the 2nd of September in Geneva. HI is calling on states to systematically condemn the use of these barbaric weapons and to hold accountable those responsible for their use.
2022 Cluster Munition Monitor report
The 2022 Cluster Munition Monitor report assesses the implementation of the Oslo Convention which bans the use, production, transfer and stockpile of cluster munitions, for the period from January to December 2021. The report also covers the first half of 2022, when information is available.
In the first half of 2022, new uses of cluster munitions were reported only in Ukraine where Russian forces conducted hundreds of attacks and Ukrainian forces have also used the weapon several times.
According to preliminary reports, at least 689 civilians were killed (215) or injured (474). This figure would represent a 302% increase compared to the global total observed in 2020, which included both victims of attacks and remnants. The actual casualty total is likely greater due to challenges with casualty recording.
This preliminary 689 new casualties would be the heaviest toll recorded in recent years. In 2016, more than 800 new victims of cluster motions attacks were recorded, the vast majority were in Syria. The Syrian government use of cluster munitions was widespread in between 2012 and 2018. Cluster munitions were also used extensively in Syrian-Russian joint operations.
Cluster munition use in Ukraine mostly occurred in populated areas and besides killing and injuring civilians, it also damaged civilian infrastructure: homes, hospitals, schools, plants, playgrounds, etc. Cluster munition attacks also threatened internally displaced persons and those seeking humanitarian aid.
Cluster Munitions remnants
The Monitor recorded 149 new cluster munition casualties in 2021 globally, all caused by cluster munition remnants: 37 in Syria, 33 in Iraq, 30 in Laos, etc. The Monitor also reports casualties in 8 other countries and territories including Yemen, Lebanon, Nagorno-Karabakh, Tajikistan, etc. This was the first time in a decade that no new casualties from cluster munition attacks were reported in 2021. This marked a sharp decline from the annual totals in 2020 (360 casualties) and 2019 (317 casualties).
Stockpile destruction and contamination globally
Since the Convention came into force on 1st August 2010, 35 State Parties have destroyed 1.5 million cluster munition stockpiles, i.e. a total of 178 million sub-munitions. This represents 99% of all cluster munitions declared by State Parties.
In total, 26 states and three regions remain contaminated by sub-munition remnants worldwide.
