December 3, 2008, Oslo, Norway – Governments began signing an international treaty today banning the use of cluster bombs — dangerous weapons that often maim and kill civilians for years after a conflict.

Norway, which began the drive to ban cluster bombs 18 months ago, was to be first to sign, followed by Laos and Lebanon, both hard-hit by the weapons.

Organizers said 88 countries were expected to sign today and around 100 out of the United Nation’s 192 members will have signed by Thursday. The United States, Russia, China — leading producers and stockpilers of cluster bombs — have so far refused to sign on to the ban.

Cluster bombs are air-dropped or ground-launched weapons that eject a number of smaller “bomblets.” Because the bombs release many bomblets over a wide area, they can kill or maim civilians long after a conflict has ended. The unexploded bomblets can lie dormant for years until they are disturbed, often by children attracted by their small size and bright colors. Unexploded bomblets are costly to locate and remove.

Survivor Corps (formerly the Landmine Surivors’ Network), a strategic partner of The Advocacy Project, has been a strong advocate of banning the weapons.