Minneapolis Review

MINNEAPOLIS—Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement after it was reported that the United States plans to send cluster munitions—controversial weapons banned in 108 countries—to Ukraine. Rep. Omar will also co-lead an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act prohibiting the sale of cluster munitions.

“Cluster munitions are illegal under international law. A total of 123 countries have ratified the convention to ban their use under all circumstances—including nearly all our allies. 

“It’s not hard to understand why. Because cluster bombs scatter multiple small bombs over a large area, they kill civilians both during an attack and after. I was recently in Vietnam where I heard firsthand how innocent civilians continue to be killed by US cluster munitions a full fifty years after the conflict ended. Tens of thousands of explosives are found every year there. 

“We have to be clear: if the US is going to be a leader on international human rights, we must not participate in human rights abuses. We can support the people of Ukraine in their freedom struggle, while also opposing violations of international law. (In fact, the innocent victims of the cluster munitions will almost exclusively be Ukrainian civilians).

“Instead of dealing cluster munitions, we should be doing everything in our power to end their use. That’s why I will be coleading an amendment with Rep. Sara Jacobs to outlaw their use. And we should join the international community by ratifying the Convention on Cluster Munitions 

“I will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine and support their struggle against Vladimir Putin’s tyrannical war of aggression. I will also continue to stand for human rights. I hope we as a country do the same.”

Original source can be found here.