Kiribati
Cluster Munition Ban Policy
Summary: Non-signatory Kiribati has shown interest in the convention, but it has not taken any steps to join it. Kiribati voted in favor of a key United Nations (UN) resolution on the convention in December 2017. Kiribati attended a meeting of the convention in 2011, where it stated that it has never used, produced, transferred, or stockpiled cluster munitions.
Policy
The Republic of Kiribati has not acceded to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
In February 2018, Kiribati attended the Pacific Conference on Conventional Weapons Treaties and adopted the conference’s “Auckland Declaration” acknowledging “the clear moral and humanitarian rationale for joining” the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Thedeclaration states that during the meeting “some states not yet party to the Convention undertook to positively consider membership of it.”[1]
Kiribati did not participate in the Oslo Process.
As an observer, Kiribati attended the convention’s Second Meeting of States Parties in Beirut, Lebanon in September 2011 and made its first and to date only public statement on the convention, stating that the government is considering accession.[2] Kiribati also participated in the convention’s intersessional meetings in Geneva in 2013 but did not make a statement.
In December 2017, Kiribati 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.”[3] It voted in favor of previous UNGA resolutions promoting implementation and universalization in 2015 and 2016.[4]
Kiribati previously voted in favor of UNGA resolutions condemning use of cluster munitions in Syria.[5]
Kiribati is a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty. It has not joined the Convention on Conventional Weapons.
Use, production, transfer, and stockpiling
Kiribati informed States Parties in September 2011 that it “has never used, produced, transferred, or stockpiled cluster munitions.”[6]
Kiribati is affected by unexploded ordnance, particularly in Betio and greater South Tarawa, but is not known to be contaminated by cluster munition remnants.[7]
[1] “Auckland Declaration on Conventional Weapons Treaties,” Pacific Conference on Conventional Weapons Treaties, Auckland, New Zealand, 12–14 February 2018.
[2] Statement of Kiribati, Convention on Cluster Munitions Second Meeting of States Parties, Beirut, 16 September 2011.
[3] “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions,” UNGA Resolution 72/54, 4 December 2017.
[4] “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions,” UNGA Resolution 71/45, 5 December 2016; and “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions,” UNGA Resolution 70/54, 7 December 2015.
[5] “Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic,” UNGA Resolution 71/203, 19 December 2016. Kiribati voted in favor of similar previous resolutions in 2013–2014.
[6] Statement of Kiribati, Convention on Cluster Munitions Second Meeting of States Parties, Beirut, 16 September 2011.
[7] The government has stated that Kiribati is not affected by antipersonnel landmines. Statement of Kiribati, Mine Ban Treaty Second Review Conference, Cartagena, 4 December 2009.
Mine Ban Policy
The Republic of Kiribati acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty on 7 September 2000, becoming a State Party on 1 March 2001. Kiribati has never used, produced, imported, exported, or stockpiled antipersonnel mines, including for training purposes. Kiribati believes that existing legislation is sufficient to enforce the antipersonnel mine prohibition domestically. Kiribati submitted its second Article 7 transparency report on 4 June 2004 but has not submitted subsequent annual reports.
Kiribati did not attend any Mine Ban Treaty meetings in 2010 or the first half of 2011.
Kiribati is not party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons.
Kiribati has residual unexploded ordnance contamination from World War II.