The Fragments Collection
Within the Fragments body of work, I am seeking to draw attention to our ideas of aesthetics by creating purposefully deconstructed sculptures.
The purpose is not to copy ancient forms nor is it to extol their beauty, but to raise awareness of the destructive nature of war and its devastating effect on innocent people.
It is hope, not sorrow, that I wish to propagate with Fragments. In conjunction with many charities, since 2007, I have continued to donate the proceeds from sales of this work to help clear landmines.
Cluster Munitions are just another form of landmine and I am including this report in my journal to remind us that there are still organizations in the field clearing these deadly remnants of war.
The following report was recently released and brought to my attention by Peter Dudley.
The 2013 Cluster Munition Monitor was released today and it contains some very good news.
During 2012, state parties to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) destroyed a total of 173,973 cluster munitions and 27 million submunitions—the most in a year since the convention was adopted and far exceeding 2011 totals, when states destroyed a total of 107,000 cluster munitions and 17.6 million submunitions.
Under the terms of the treaty, states parties have a maximum period of eight years to destroy their stockpiled cluster munitions, but most are completing their destruction in half that time.
The CCM prohibits the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster munitions. It also requires clearance of cluster munition remnants within 10 years and immediate access to assistance for victims of the weapons. Currently, 83 countries have ratified the treaty and are fully bound by its provisions.
Canada has signed the treaty but still has not completed the ratification process.
“The government’s draft implementation legislation is out of step with the impressive progress being made by this treaty” said Paul Hannon, executive director of Mines Action Canada. “When Parliament returns it needs to amend Bill S-10 to send a strong message that Canada will never support the use of cluster munitions by anyone anywhere.”
To read more about Canada’s position and why civil society groups have a problem with it, click here.
While civil society groups are pleased with the wide spread acceptance of the CCM, they are disheartened to learn that the United States will be selling 1,300 cluster munitions to Saudia Arabia. To learn more about that and the response, click here.