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Comment by OrvalWintermute | Hacker News Reader

Most of Asia, including Russia, China, the USA, and Ukraine, are not signatories to the Cluster Munitions Conventions (CCM) Treaty [1] [2]

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_on_Cluster_Munition...

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_on_Cluster_Munition...

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I think you’re missing the larger point here. It’s not about what treaty is signed but what is being done. Imagine taking a walk at night seeking shelter and stepping on one. Do you think this mine has intelligence and can differentiate about civilian or not?

Last I checked it doesn’t matter what weapon you use if you target civilians.

From the Geneva convention info page in UN.

“(…) many of the rules contained in these treaties have been considered as part of customary law and, as such, are binding on all States (and other parties to the conflict), whether or not States have ratified the treaties themselves. In addition, many rules of customary international law apply in both international and non-international armed conflict (…)”

So your munition treaty is really superseded by Geneva convention on treatment of civilians.

Convention has no teeth and enforcement. USA already given the finger to a lot of these International conventions that not apply to them. Think about it, if your country has only courts (judicial system), do you think there will be law and order minus any law enforcers? Remember Iraq and Afghan? Heck even Libya destroyed by NATO? None of these are sanctioned by UN? After Powell making a fool of himself in UN with his WMD, USA still didn't get the nod. Small and weak countries will recognize these conventions because they will get the benefit without much commitment. Big countries like USA, China and Russia will be constraint by these self-handcuff conventions and "bully" by smaller countries. Yes "bully". Think UN security councils of majority small countries can dictate the big boys what to do if there are no veto. In a perfect world, sure, majority should rule over minority even if it is tyranny (that is how true democracy work). In real world, it doesnt. Big guns and might do that. You can search Mao's infamous quote about that which basically explain entire existence of China lone wolf policy.

Furthermore, the ban on anti-personnel mines are not signed by Russia, China, and USA as well. Although, Ukraine did sign that [1].

[1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa_Treaty

This is not only a type of cluster munition, but more Importantly a landmine, which is banned by Ottawa Treaty. Guess who didn't sign that one either?

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