 | |
| © Sean Sutton/MAG/magclearsmines.org |
As you may know, for a while now we’ve had an alert on our advocacy webpage to contact Congress in support of the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act—introduced by Rep. Jim McGovern and Sen. Dianne Feinstein. To date, 24 House members and 18 Senate members have cosponsored this legislation. That’s a good start, but not nearly enough to show the kind of support this legislation needs to bring it to a vote.
Next month, May 19-30, 2008, is the Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions. At the Dublin Conference, representatives from more than half the world’s governments will meet to negotiate the most significant disarmament treaty in more than a decade: a treaty to bring about a ban on cluster bombs, ensure rapid clearance of contaminated land and provide vital assistance to those affected by cluster bombs.
To lead up to this important event, global advocates have designated April 19 as a Global Day of Action to Ban Cluster Bombs, to highlight 40 years of civilian deaths and injuries caused by these weapons. Citizens around the world will use this day to call on governments to take action.
The best way to show the U.S. Government and the world that American citizens care about preventing civilian casualties from cluster bombs is by asking their Members of Congress to support the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act. On April 19, in honour of the Global Day of Action to Ban Cluster Munitions, go to unicefusa.org/advocate and ask your Members of Congress to cosponsor this legislation!
