Mr Chairman,
I have the honour to introduce the draft resolution L.31 on the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (CCW). This year I am especially proud to be able to do so on behalf of not only of Sweden but also Greece, Jordan and the Netherlands, who all three have held the office of Chairperson or Presidents of Meetings of States Parties within the framework of the Convention during this past year.
The purpose of the CCW is to ban or restrict the use of certain specific types of weapons that cause excessive injury or unnecessary suffering to combatants, or affect civilians indiscriminately. The Convention forms an essential and integral part of international law applicable to armed conflict. It is designed to provide a framework within which humanitarian concerns regarding conventional weapons can be dealt with. We need the CCW to be a dynamic instrument responding to urgent humanitarian challenges before us. This is as pertinent and relevant as ever.
Today the CCW has over 100 States Parties. With the adoption and entry into force of Protocol V on Explosive Remnants of War in November 2006, the CCW has shown that it is a living and important instrument of international humanitarian law. The number of States Parties to the Convention is increasing, but it still falls short of achieving universal membership. Let me take this opportunity to express my hope that the countries that have not yet joined the Convention will find it in their interest to do so, and become parties to the Convention and its protocols, including the important amendment that extended the scope of the Convention to include situations of non-international conflict.
The purpose of the resolution which I introduce today, is to continue to express support for the CCW, with particular focus on the universalization
of the Convention and its Protocols. The text of the resolution also reflects the ongoing work within the framework of the Convention since the adoption of last year’s resolution. It is an expression of support for the CCW as an important international humanitarian law instrument. The specific substantive issues will, of course, have to be addressed by the States Parties at forthcoming meetings.
In conclusion I wish to express our sincere hope that the draft resolution, as in previous years, will be adopted without a vote.
Thank you, Mr Chairman.