Messages to Lithuania: Stay in the Convention on Cluster Munitions by The Cluster Munition Coalition

This weapon was banned for a good reason: 95% of its victims are civilians. Lithuania, don't let your fear blind you.

banclusterbombs — 2024-07-10 09:34:51 UTC

Don't go!

2024-07-10 11:01:12 UTC

Lithuania - don't turn your back on the Convention on Cluster Munitions! Such a move undermines a norm meant to protect civilians in Lithuania and around the world!

CMC NEWS: Lithuania Considers Leaving Convention on Cluster Munitions

banclusterbombs — 2024-07-10 11:37:04 UTC

Read our article in here.

LATEST UPDATES

banclusterbombs — 2024-07-10 11:48:59 UTC

3 July 2024: The Lithuanian government approved the MoD draft law to withdraw from the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The draft law has been sent to the parliament.

11 July 2024: The parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee has approved the draft law.

18 July 2024: Sadly Lithuanian parliament @LRSeimas

approved withdrawal from Convention on Cluster Munitions (103-1-4). Horrible day for Lithuania, int'l community, IHL & civilian protection. https://bit.ly/3WtcLqu #ClusterMunitions #IHL

Lithuania, stay on the right side of history! Don't leave the convention.

banclusterbombs — 2024-07-10 12:36:30 UTC

Governments have the responsability to go forward on the protection of human rights, leaving the Cluster Munition treaty is going backwards. Reconsider this decision.

2024-07-10 12:40:24 UTC

Lithuania don't leave the Convention! Over 60% of the world’s nations, including 24 NATO and 21 EU states, are CCM States Parties. Don't let fear guide your decisions, remain on the good side of history.

2024-07-10 12:42:04 UTC

Lithuania stay on the right side of history!

pchannon50 — 2024-07-10 14:31:48 UTC

Lithuania's withdrawal from the Convention on Cluster Munitions would put civilian lives at risk as well would erode the rule of law and norms against indiscriminate weapons.

Cluster munitions will not help you win any war but they will make it difficult, dangerous and expensive to win the peace!

Protect your country, ban cluster munitions!

2024-07-10 15:34:23 UTC

Lithuania,

Stay in the Convention on Cluster Munitions to protect the rule of law and your citizens.

Possessing cluster munitions has never been a deterrent and using them always kills civilians during the conflict and for decades after. There is a reason the majority of NATO has banned these weapons, leaving the Convention will make interoperability with your allies more difficult.

No security threat is eliminated by obtaining a weapon that will end up contaminating your land and killing your citizens.

Your country is too beautiful to risk using cluster munitions.

Erin from Canada

Lietuva,

Laikykitės Konvencijos dėl kasetinių šaudmenų, kad apsaugotumėte teisinę valstybę ir savo piliečius.

Kasetinių šaudmenų turėjimas niekada nebuvo atgrasymo priemonė, o juos naudojant konflikto metu ir dešimtmečius po jo visada žūva civiliai. Yra priežastis, dėl kurios dauguma NATO uždraudė šiuos ginklus, nes pasitraukus iš konvencijos, sąveika su jūsų sąjungininkais bus sunkesnė.

Įsigijus ginklą, kuris užterš jūsų žemę ir nužudys jūsų piliečius, jokia grėsmė saugumui nepašalinama.

Jūsų šalis per graži, kad rizikuotumėte naudoti kasetinius šaudmenis.

Erin iš Kanados

Lithuania, please do NOT give up!

2024-07-10 22:33:11 UTC

Cluster Munitions have been banned in over 100 countries due to their excessive harm to civilian populations. Withdrawing the Convention on Cluster Munitions would not ensure the security threat ends.

Lithuania, having Cluster Munitions would not reduce any logistical efforts or costs by half, it would double increase the human casualites, land contamination and affect the social fabric.

Please, protect your people, protect your country ¡do not give up Lithuania!

Reconsider the decision please!

2024-07-11 05:39:42 UTC

Lithuania's withdrawal from the Convention on Cluster Munitions would put further civilian lives at risk. @GitanasNauseda, reconsider this decision. #StopClusterBombs, #KeepTheConvention, #NoToClusterBombs

CMC Press Release

banclusterbombs — 2024-07-11 09:43:34 UTC

Lithuania, don't risk harming civilians!

gillian136 — 2024-07-11 15:34:04 UTC

Cluster munitions are known to mostly have civilian casualties, with a high number of child casualties. These weapons are not effective and will only cause civilian suffering. Please reconsider your decision and continue to protect civilians by being a part of this important, life-saving Convention!

raedelrahman — 2024-07-11 17:18:36 UTC

raedelrahman — 2024-07-11 17:24:45 UTC

Don’t leave the convention Lithuania!

hiba44 — 2024-07-11 21:59:34 UTC

The world is watching. Lithuania's withdrawal would further erode the rule of law and norms against indiscriminate weapons.

Lithuania, Protect our Future!

hiba44 — 2024-07-11 22:05:40 UTC

As a concerned youth, I urge Lithuania to stay committed to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Withdrawing would jeopardize our shared values of peace and humanitarianism. Let's continue to lead the way in banning these harmful weapons.

Lithuania, Take a Stand Against Cluster Munitions Now!

dawoodkhattak0 — 2024-07-11 22:13:05 UTC

Please Remain Committed to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Your Leadership Matters!

Lithuania, your commitment matters!

dawoodkhattak0 — 2024-07-11 22:21:39 UTC

Lithuania, please maintain your commitment to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Upholding this treaty is crucial for protecting civilian lives and promoting global peace. Your leadership in this matter is essential for fostering a safer and more humane world.

This is a threat for future generations

banclusterbombs — 2024-07-12 10:02:19 UTC

By withdrawing from the convention, Lithuania is not just breaking an international agreement – it is opening the door to future contamination. The same land where its children play, its citizens farm, and build their homes could become littered with cluster munition remnants, endangering current and future generations for years to come.

raedelrahman — 2024-07-12 10:03:11 UTC

Lithuania…..

Where are your morals and your human conscience If you withdraw from the Convention Banning Cluster Bomb ?

do not be a participant in the killing of civilians and children by withdrawing.

Continue working, no to cluster bombs.

2024-07-12 10:43:33 UTC

Human Rights Watch statement

2024-07-12 13:36:04 UTC

Withdrawing from the Convention on Cluster Munitions will stain Lithuania’s otherwise excellent reputation on this humanitarian concern and increase the risk of civilian harm. Lithuania’s lawmakers should reject this ill-considered proposal and reaffirm their support for the ban on cluster munitions.

Lithuania....don't turn your back on CCM

2024-07-12 13:38:36 UTC

Lithuania’s parliament should reject a government proposal to withdraw from the 2008 treaty banning cluster munitions.The Cluster Munition Monitor 2023 report found that 95 percent of people reported killed or wounded by cluster munitions in 2022, in which the victim’s status was recorded, were civilians. Among victims whose age group was reported, CHILDREN accounted for 71 percent of casualties from cluster munition remnants.

West Virginia Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Bombs/PSALM Students Against Landmines and Cluster Bombs

We understand fear of Russian aggression....

yeshuamp — 2024-07-12 17:17:25 UTC

We understand the very real threat Russia poses to several neighbouring states which have the shared history of formerly having been a part of the USSR.

Russia currently is engaged in violations of international humanitarian law, including cluster munition use for which its been internationally condemned, in its illegal war on Ukraine.

Succumbing to seeking possession of an inherently indiscriminate weapon, as cluster munitions are, places Lithuania on moral par with Russia. Possession of some cluster munitions will not ultimately ensure her survival, alliances (mostly with non-cluster possessing states) is her best defence.

raedelrahman — 2024-07-12 19:43:05 UTC

To the members of the Lithuanian Parliament: Please vote for your country to remain in the Convention banning cluster bombs and not to withdraw. Otherwise, history will record that you did not respect and protect human rights. Shape your country's history by safeguarding people and their rights, and contribute to the protection of humanity by staying in the Convention.

Thank you,

Raed Mokaled

The father of martyr Ahmad Mokaled

Remain a leader!

2024-07-12 21:03:07 UTC

Ever since Lithuania and Chile successfully got the first-ever UN Security Council resolution on cluster munition use (in South Sudan) passed, I have sung Lithuania's praises. I was proud to work with your ambassador and diplomats to make this happen. You are a leader in this space and recognize that cluster bombs primarily kill civilians, please remain so!

It's very sad that we have this regressive development. It can only take all of us to make this world a safe place to live for everyone. The Lithuanian government should take heed of our cries and reconsider this decision.

2024-07-14 00:03:30 UTC

Lithuania

2024-07-16 03:52:16 UTC

Please carefully consider your proposed action! It is far too easy to break a contract, a treaty, and to create a huge amount of damage to innocent people! It is far too hard to undo that damage, to heal the damaged people, the defenceless citizens who will be harmed by cluster weapons.

This weapon was banned for good reason. Lithuania, vote to keep it that way.

2024-07-16 10:10:16 UTC

Many years ago, I used cluster bombs. I thought I knew all about them - that they had utility despite the consequences. I was wrong. I have spent my later years clearing them. I know a lot more now. This is a weapon that causes unacceptable harm, that kills and maims indiscriminately. There is no balance here between military utility and the harm they cause: unacceptable is unacceptable. Lithuanian parliamentarians, your leadership is needed. Vote to keep Lithuania in the Convention.

banclusterbombs — 2024-07-16 11:27:01 UTC

Protect civilians

2024-07-16 13:15:31 UTC

When cluster munitions are used, civilians are the main victims. Protect civilians and stay a part of the Convention.

NoClusterBombs

2024-07-16 13:59:41 UTC

Lithuania, don't be an exception on the right side of history! Stay part of the Convention and protect the future of humanity! #NoClusterBombs

Lithuania...don't turn away from the Convention on Cluster Munitions

2024-07-16 19:27:22 UTC

Children take the brunt of cluster bomb injuries. The wounds are both physical and psychological. We are deeply concerned about the lifelong trauma cluster bombs cause children. Please uphold the treaty and ensure the safety of civilians, especially children.

Matt and Elizabeth,

PSALM:Students Against Landmines and Cluster Bombs/West Virginia Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Bombs

Lithuania....support the Convention on Cluster Munitions

2024-07-16 20:04:35 UTC

Megan, PSALM: Students Against Landmines and Cluster Bombs

Lithuania....Don't Turn Away from the Convention on Cluster Munitions

2024-07-16 20:25:20 UTC

We hope you will stand with us and stay with the CCM.PSALM USA

A tragic mistake

2024-07-18 09:41:41 UTC

Lithuania - your children will bear the brunt of your hasty decision. This is a short-term political move that will have long-term humanitarian implications, both for the people of Lithuania and around the world.

Message to Lithuania Government

2024-07-20 05:18:48 UTC

It is not a time of withdrawal from the agreement to ban this indiscriminate weapons, the Cluster Munitions. It is rather a time of need to bring in the whole world to ban it. So, it is unacceptable that Lithuania is going to coute the ban. It is sad to hear such news when we striving to bring in as many countries as possible to join the ban. So, we urge the Lithuania government to think not only once but twice or even more to reconsider its decision and come back to its original status that supports the absolute ban of this weapons and rather encourage those non-state parties to join as soon as possible.

Bekele Gonfa

Executive Director

SRaRO, Ethiopia

To People of Lithuania

2024-07-22 08:26:22 UTC

Lithuania keek up with your commitment to ban Cluster Munitions, to save people lives!

Please reconsider! Don't leave the CCM!

2024-07-29 14:44:49 UTC

Every child, mother, father, and citizen deserves to live a life free from the fear of cluster munition. These indiscriminate weapons have been banned in over 100 countries due to their functions not working as planned. 30% of cluster munitions that were dropped on Laos did not detonate...leaving 80 million still littered on the ground to this day, waiting to kill.

Cluster munitions will not win war. They only destroy innocent civilians.

-Anna, Manager of Operations and Community Outreach @ Legacies of War

Do Not Sell Out Your Future

2024-07-29 14:49:33 UTC

Cluster munitions are a short term weapon with long term consequences. I beseech you not to make this rash decision. Stay on the right path and do not pull out from your commitment

Murphy Nosanchuk

Advocacy Ambassador

Legacies of War

Please Think of the Consequences: Stay in the Convention on Cluster Munitions and Ban Indiscriminate Weapons

2024-07-30 01:59:31 UTC

I urge Lithuania to uphold its commitment to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. While the impulse to use such weapons in defense from an aggressor like Russia is understandable, doing so perpetuates a devastating cycle of violence and arms escalation. Cluster munitions inflict indiscriminate harm on civilians, leaving a deadly legacy for generations. We must learn from the painful lessons of the American Secret War in Laos: bombing campaigns do not win hearts and minds, but instead sow long-term suffering. Please choose a path that prioritizes peace and protects innocent lives; uphold your commitment to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Taryn Sebba

Peachey Peace Fellow

Legacies of War