2ND LEAD (CORRECTION)

Colombo's cluster bomb attack on civilians in Vanni challenges international norms

[TamilNet, Sunday, 30 November 2008, 02:21 GMT]
Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers that attacked the hamlet of Internally Displaced Persons bordering Piramanthanaa'ru and Uzhavanoor in the early hours of Saturday have deployed Russian made OFAB-500 cluster bombs in their indiscriminate attack that killed three civilians, including a child, eyewitnesses told TamilNet's Vanni correspondent on Saturday. Seven children were among the wounded. Colombo's use of cluster bomb comes as more than 100 countries are scheduled to meet in Oslo on Wednesday to sign a treaty banning the use of cluster bombs.

Cluster Bomb used by SLAF on civilian target
Cluster Bomb used by SLAF on civilian target


Cluster Bomb used by SLAF on civilian target
Cluster Bomb used by SLAF on civilian target
The indiscriminate bombardment has destroyed more than 29 shelters of the IDPs within the 'secure zone' announced by Colombo government a few weeks ago.

Cluster bombs release miniature bomblets and are used to spread damage over a wide area.

On 28 May 2008 diplomats from more than 100 countries meeting in Dublin in Ireland agreed on a draft treaty outlawing cluster bombs.

"Diplomats and politicians from around the world are about to deliver the kiss of death to one of the deadliest, indiscriminate non-nuclear weapons on the planet," writes Chris Cobb of Canwest News Service on the treaty banning the use of cluster bombs.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said his government will stop using cluster bombs. However the United States opposed the ban. Israel, India, China and Pakistan did not participate in the meeting in Dublin.

The OFAB-500 bomb is believed to have been cleared for carriage on MiG-21 'Fishbed', MiG-27 'Flogger' and MiG-29 'Fulcrum'.

Cluster Bomb used by SLAF on civilian target
Cluster Bomb used by SLAF on civilian target
Cluster Bomb used by SLAF on civilian target
Cluster Bomb used by SLAF on civilian target


Chronology:


Related Articles:
06.05.06   Sri Lanka seeks cluster bombs, MBRLs, sea mines - report


External Links:
Canada.com: 100 countries are set to sign a treaty to outlaw cluster bombs

 

Latest 15 Reports
24.04.22 05:44  
தீவின் நெருக்கடிச் சூழலில் ஈழத்தமிழர் தேசம் கடைப்பிடிக்கவேண்டிய நிலைப்பாடுகள்
09.04.22 14:44   Photo
குறிதவறும் ஈழத்தமிழர் தலைமைகளுக்கு வரலாறு தருகின்ற எச்சரிக்கை
21.01.22 07:24   Photo
ஈழத்தமிழர் தேசத்தின் தலைமைத்துவம் தேர்தல் அரசியற் கட்சிகளுக்கு அப்பாலானது
02.11.21 15:32   Photo
13 ஆம் சட்டத்திருத்தத்தால் கட்டமைக்கப்பட்ட இன அழிப்பை எதிர்கொள்ள முடியுமா?
15.09.21 08:19  
English version not available
17.05.21 19:23   Photo
Ananthi blames war criminal Silva for blocking collective memorial at Mu'l'livaaykkaal
09.04.21 14:46  
English version not available
23.03.21 12:41   Photo
No focus on Tamil genocide, geopolitics gets played out in Geneva in favour of QUAD formation
21.03.21 13:34   Photo
Navi Pillay explains ‘human rights’ limitations in Geneva on Tamil genocide
15.03.21 20:36   Photo
Deceived Tamil activists in UK falsely claimed ‘substantial changes’ to Zero draft
09.03.21 21:34   Photo
UK repeatedly wronged Tamils says hunger-striker, demands genocide justice
26.02.21 11:53   Photo
Tamils witness false dilemma in Geneva as geopolitical formations pit against each other
19.02.21 14:02   Photo
UK not prepared to push for ICC option in new UNHRC Resolution
07.02.21 23:16   Photo
Unprecedented P2P uprising paves the way for rights-oriented politics of Tamils and Muslims
22.01.21 08:01   Photo
Gotabaya sets up deceptive COI citing ‘sovereignty’ and ‘non-aligned’ foreign policy
 
Find this article at:
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=27625