The governments in the MENA region need to sign the new treaty banning cluster bombs and become part of the international consensus against this weapon said Defend International today at the start of a global week of action against cluster bombs. “Actions speak louder than words and that’s why we need countries in the MENA region to sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions without delay,” said Dr. Widad.

During a well-attended women’s conference held in Qunitera, DI members in Morocco called for the elimination of social, cultural, political and economic discrimination against women. “Women have the right to equal treatment and to make decisions free from discrimination,” said DI president Ms. Widad Akrawi.

Over 100 states have decided to probibit the use, development, production, stockpiling and transfer of inaccurate and unrelibale cluster munitions. The signing of the Convention on Cluster Munitions took place in Oslo from 2-4 December 2008. Cluster Munition Coalition, Defend International and civil society organisations around the world called on high-level representatives to personally sign the treaty in Oslo.