Lithuania retreats from cluster munitions pact
(MENAFN) Lithuania has officially withdrawn from the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), a treaty that prohibits the use, production, and stockpiling of cluster bombs. The decision, approved by the country’s parliament (Seimas) last July, was finalized on Thursday.
Deputy Defense Minister Renius Pleskys previously justified the move by citing Lithuania’s changing security landscape, stating that “the need to use all possibilities to strengthen deterrence and defense” was the primary reason for leaving the treaty. He argued that the country’s security situation had significantly worsened since it originally joined the agreement.
Cluster munitions are controversial due to their wide-area impact and high failure rate, which can leave unexploded bomblets posing long-term risks to civilians. Humanitarian groups, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, have condemned their use.
Among NATO members, the US, Poland, Romania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland have never joined the CCM. Other non-signatories include Russia, Ukraine, China, India, Pakistan, and Brazil.
The Lithuanian parliament has defended its decision, calling cluster munitions an “effective defensive tool” capable of covering large areas and enhancing national defense. Additionally, according to Lithuania’s national broadcaster LRT, the government is considering withdrawing from the 1997 Ottawa Treaty, which bans anti-personnel mines.
Deputy Defense Minister Renius Pleskys previously justified the move by citing Lithuania’s changing security landscape, stating that “the need to use all possibilities to strengthen deterrence and defense” was the primary reason for leaving the treaty. He argued that the country’s security situation had significantly worsened since it originally joined the agreement.
Cluster munitions are controversial due to their wide-area impact and high failure rate, which can leave unexploded bomblets posing long-term risks to civilians. Humanitarian groups, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, have condemned their use.
Among NATO members, the US, Poland, Romania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland have never joined the CCM. Other non-signatories include Russia, Ukraine, China, India, Pakistan, and Brazil.
The Lithuanian parliament has defended its decision, calling cluster munitions an “effective defensive tool” capable of covering large areas and enhancing national defense. Additionally, according to Lithuania’s national broadcaster LRT, the government is considering withdrawing from the 1997 Ottawa Treaty, which bans anti-personnel mines.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Comments
No comment