Victory: cluster bomb ban saved

Last week a US-led group of powerful countries (and leading arms suppliers) tried to subvert a global ban on the use of cluster bombs. Thanks to the collective voice of hundreds of thousands of outraged citizens who joined with Avaaz and the Cluster Munition Coalition, they failed.

Cluster bombs, which spread hundreds of bomblets across wide areas, have proven totally unreliable in combat. But they are remarkably effective in killing and maiming innocent civilians long after conflicts end. In 2008, more than 100 nations came together to ban the use of these deadly weapons. But countries including the US, Russia, Israel and China sought to amend the ban and reopen the way for their legal use across the globe.

But when representatives met in Geneva in November to pass the plan, opponents like Mexico kept reminding them of the hundreds of thousands who had signed the Avaaz petition opposing the move. They buckled under the pressure: in a success Human Rights Watch called "against all odds", the plan was defeated, with more than 50 countries voting against. We won.

The fight to end the use of cluster munitions is far from over, though. Dozens of countries still produce the weapons and dozens more stockpile them. In addition, some of the world's leading powers, including China, Russia, India and the US, have yet to sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Take action: Join 600,000 Avaaz members and sign our petition supporting the ban. Then, explore how you can help ban these vile weapons once and for all.