Micronesia
Cluster Munition Ban Policy
Summary: Non-signatory the Federated States of Micronesia has not taken any steps to join the convention but voted in favor of a key United Nations (UN) resolution promoting the convention in December 2017. The Federated States of Micronesia is not known to have ever used, produced, transferred, or stockpiled cluster munitions.
Policy
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has not yet acceded to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
In February 2018, the FSM 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. The declaration states that during the meeting “some states not yet party to the Convention undertook to positively consider membership of it.”[1]
In the past, FSM government officials have expressed support for the convention’s objectives but indicated that no measures are underway to join it.[2] In 2011, the Department of Foreign Affairs informed the Monitor of FSM’s “intention to be a party” to the convention.[3]
FSM did not participate in the Oslo Process that created the convention and has never attended a meeting of the convention.
In December 2017, FSM voted in favor of a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution that calls on states outside the Convention on Cluster Munitions to “join as soon as possible.”[4] It voted in favor of previous UNGA resolutions promoting implementation and universalization of the convention in 2015 and 2016.[5]
FSM has voted in favor of UNGA resolutions expressing outrage at the use of cluster munitions in Syria, most recently in December 2017.[6]
Use, production, transfer, and stockpiling
FSM is not known to have ever used, produced, transferred, or stockpiled cluster munitions.
[1] “Auckland Declaration on Conventional Weapons Treaties,” Pacific Conference on Conventional Weapons Treaties, Auckland, New Zealand, 12–14 February 2018.
[2] In October 2009, an FSM representative cited FSM’s capacity constraints in meeting its treaty obligations and added that FSM’s Compact of Free Association with the United States (US) requires that FSM clear any strategic defense decisions with the US before it can join any international treaties. ICBL-CMC meeting with Martin Zvachula, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of FSM to the UN in New York, 19 October 2009. Notes by the ICBL-CMC.
[3] The official said that the convention would be submitted to congress for action simultaneous to that required to join the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. Letter from Lorin S. Robert, Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs of FSM to Mark Hiznay, Human Rights Watch, 29 April 2011.
[4] “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions,” UNGA Resolution 72/54, 4 December 2017.
[5] “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.
[6] “Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic,” UNGA Resolution 72/191, 19 December 2017. The FSM voted in favor of similar resolutions in 2015–2016.