Unless otherwise specified all photographs are courtesy of John RodstedAUSTRALIAN NETWORK TO BAN LANDMINES AND CLUSTER MUNITIONS What are Cluster Bombs? Cluster munitions consist of a large canister filled with smaller, explosive “bomblets.” They are highly inaccurate and many of the bomblets fail to explode on impact. They leave a deadly legacy, killing and injuring for long after the conflict has ended. Children are often attracted to their bright colours and ball-like shape and make up almost a third of victims of unexploded cluster bombs.The Cluster Bomb TreatyThe Convention on Cluster Munitions opened for signature in Oslo in 2008 and entered into force in August 2010.One hundred an eleven countries have now signed the Convention and seventy seven have ratified it, meaning they are bound by its obligations.Australia has now ratified the Convention, although with weak and unamended legislation.ANBLC will continue to monitor the situation, in particular with regard to the stockpiling of foreign owned cluster bombs on Australian soil or transit across our territory.Facts and FallaciesDo you need to understand more about the case for a total ban on cluster bombs? Click here.Photo Courtesy of Danish Christian Aid Archive