Belize may soon become the 85th country to accede to the convention on cluster munitions. Now, you're probably asking, why is this news since Belize has nothing to do with cluster munitions? Well, a UN activist group is trying to make Central America the first sub region which has acceded to the treaty and Belize is the only holdout.
We spoke to a representative for the Cluster Munition Coalition, Hector Guerra, who explained to us why Belize's accession is important even though no cluster munitions have ever been used in the country.
Hector Guerra, Rep. - Cluster Munition Coalition
"Most of the countries in the Caribbean and Latin America are on board. As a matter of fact Central America is about to become the first sub region worldwide fully on board the convention of cluster munitions, the country that is missing is Belize. We know that it shouldn't be difficult for the country to accede to this treaty because it has never use, produce, and stockpile or transferred or being affected by cluster munitions. One way of showing the interest that Belize has for this would be to participate in the 5th meeting for states parties coming on in September in San Jose, Costa Rica. It will be the first international meeting around the convention Cluster Munitions taking place in Latin America and the Caribbean, but most important it's going to take place in Central America, so it's an excellent opportunity."
The 5th meeting of the state parties will be held in September in San Jose, Costa Rica. Belize has not yet indicated if it will attend. No decision has been made yet on the convention.
Email
Print