Statement by Thoumny on the First intersessional meeting on the Convention on Cluster Munitions

Thank you chair/cochair.
My name is Thoummy Silamphan. I am a CMC campaigner from the Lao PDR and a cluster munition survivor. On behalf of the CMC, I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on the issue of Victim Assistance today, together with my colleague from Lebanon.
CMC campaigners from affected countries know that cluster munitions continue to kill and injure in 2011 as they have for decades. Eleven months since the entry into force of the Convention, it is time to hear what has been achieved so far under Article 5. This Article covers victim assistance, and reflects the commitment that states have made to bring about positive change in the lives of survivors. Let us remember that Article 5 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions was based on the experience of the Mine Ban Treaty, from
victim assistance in its action plans and from the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

With this in mind, and given efforts in recent years to link these different conventions, states have had ample opportunity to begin implementing the victim assistance provisions of Convention on Cluster Munitions. Action #23 of the Vientiane Action Plan calls on states to integrate the implementation of victim assistance under the Convention on Cluster Munitions into coordination systems already created for other relevant conventions, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Today we expect to hear from states about coordination efforts for victim assistance, and especially how they ensure that their victim assistance coordination focal point has the authority, expertise and adequate resources to carry out its task, as set out in the Vientiane Action Plan. We are also eager to hear states report on Action #20of the Action Plan, which calls on states to increase capacities to assist cluster munition victims in 2011, as national and international resources become available.  Just as importantly, we need to hear about the steps taken to mobilize those national and international resources, as called for by the Convention.

States have committed to take immediate action to increase availability and accessibility of services under Action #25. This includes immediate action to increase access to services in remote and rural areas and to remove barriers. Almost a year after entry into force, states should be reporting and discussing how these actions have been implemented and can be advanced.