Summary: Signatory Indonesia’s ratification of the convention does not appear to have progressed after years of stakeholder consultations. Indonesia has participated in many meetings of the convention, most recently in September 2016, and voted in favor of a key UN resolution on the convention in December 2016.

Indonesia states that it has never used, produced, or exported cluster munitions. It has yet to disclose the types and quantities of its stockpiled cluster munitions.

Policy

The Republic of Indonesia signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions on 3 December 2008.

The status of Indonesia’s ratification of the convention is not known. Previously, in September 2015, a government representative said that Indonesia is in the process of ratifying the convention and consolidating internal issues relating to its implementation.[1] Previously, in June 2015, a government representative said the convention was awaiting parliamentary approval.[2]

Indonesia has conducted extensive consultations on the convention since 2010 as part of its ratification.[3] In September 2016, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative addressed a seminar on cluster munitions at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta.[4]

In December 2016, Indonesia voted in favor of a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution that urges states outside the Convention on Cluster Munitions to “join as soon as possible.”[5] It also voted in favor of the first UNGA resolution on the convention in December 2015.[6]

Indonesia actively participated in the Oslo Process that created the Convention on Cluster Munitions and was one of the strongest supporters of a comprehensive ban on the weapon.[7] It hosted a regional conference on the convention in Bali in November 2009.

Indonesia participated in the convention’s Meetings of States Parties in 2011–2012 and the Sixth Meeting of States Parties in Geneva in September 2016, where it did not make a statement. Indonesia attended the convention’s First Review Conference in 2015 and intersessional meetings in 2011–2015. It has attended regional workshops on the convention, most recently in March 2017.[8]

Indonesia has voted in favor of UNGA resolutions expressing outrage at the use of cluster munitions in Syria, most recently in December 2016.[9] It has also voted in favor of Human Rights Council resolutions condemning cluster munition attacks in Syria.[10]

Indonesia is a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty. It is not party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons.

Use, production, and transfer

Indonesia has stated that it has never used, produced, or exported cluster munitions.[11]

Stockpiling

Indonesia stockpiles cluster munitions, but it has not disclosed details on the number and types. In 2010, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative stated that Indonesia was conducting an inventory of its stockpile of cluster munitions.[12] Indonesia has emphasized the importance of allowing independent observers, including civil society, to witness stockpile destruction.[13]

Indonesia possesses US-made Rockeye cluster bombs according to Jane’s Information Group.[14]

In April 2017, the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) wrote to the government of Indonesia requesting clarification of a report that Indonesia reportedly received Brazilian-made ASTROS II, a type of multi-barrel rocket launcher, and SS-40, SS-60 and/or SS-80 cargo rockets.[15] According to a Brazilian media article, the purchase agreement was signed in 2012.[16] Cargo rockets containing explosive submunitions are banned under the Convention on Cluster Munitions. As of 1 July 2017, Indonesia had not responded to the CMC letter.