Governments as Norm-Builders in the Case of Cluster Munitions

When discussing countries involved in norm setting for the cluster munitions ban, Norway is the first to come to mind, having established the Oslo process in February 2007. Along with Norway, an additional 45 nations participated in the Oslo Conference, and signed onto the declaration.

Norway wasn't the only nation leading the Oslo process effort. Aotearoa Cluster Munition Coalition cites five other nations as part of a core group: Austria, Peru, Ireland, Mexico, and New Zealand. These nations would each hold a conference on the path to the adoption of text for the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Prior to this process, Norway had announced a moratorium on the use of cluster munitions, and Belgium had banned the use and sale of cluster munitions in 2006. Austria would become the third nation to announce a national ban on cluster munitions in December 2007.

The United States stands in opposition to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, preferring a less stringent approach via the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.