Brunei Darussalam
Cluster Munition Ban Policy
Ten-Year Review: Non-signatory Brunei has never elaborated its position on joining the convention. It attended one meeting of the convention in 2010 and has voted in favor of an annual United Nations (UN) resolution promoting the convention since 2015.
Brunei provided a voluntary Article 7 transparency report for the convention in May 2020 which states that it has never used, produced, or transferred cluster munitions, and does not possess any stockpiles.
Policy
Negara Brunei Darussalam has not acceded to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Brunei has never made a public statement elaborating its position on joining the convention.[1] However, in May 2020, it provided the UN with a voluntary Article 7 transparency report for the convention.[2] Under national implementation measures for the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the report lists Brunei’s draft implementing legislation for the Mine Ban Treaty.
Brunei participated in several meetings of the Oslo Process that created the convention and joined in the consensus adoption of the convention in Dublin on 30 May 2008. However, it did not attend the convention’s Signing Conference in Oslo in December 2008.[3]
Brunei participated as an observer in the First Meeting of States Parties of the convention in Vientiane, Lao PDR in November 2010. This remains its only participation to date in a meeting of the convention.
In December 2019, Brunei voted in favor of a key UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution, which urges states outside the Convention on Cluster Munitions to “join as soon as possible.”[4] Brunei has voted for the annual UNGA resolution promoting the convention since it was first introduced in 2015.
Brunei is a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty. It is not party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons.
Use, production, transfer, and stockpiling
According to Brunei’s voluntary Article 7 transparency report provided in May 2020, it has never produced, transferred cluster munitions or stockpiled cluster munitions.[5] Previously in 2010, a defense representative said that Brunei does not possess a stockpile of cluster munitions.[6]
[1] In November 2010, a government representative said that Brunei was reviewing the convention. Interview and Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) meeting with Sahrun Haji Hashim, Senior Legal Officer, Legal Unit, Ministry of Defense, in Vientiane, 10 November 2010.
[2] The report covers calendar year 2019. Convention on Cluster Munitions voluntary Article 7 Report, 7 May 2020.
[3] For details on Brunei’s policy and practice regarding cluster munitions through early 2010, see ICBL, Cluster Munition Monitor 2010 (Ottawa: Mines Action Canada, October 2010), p. 201.
[4] “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions,” UNGA Resolution 74/62, 12 December 2019.
[5] The report states “not applicable” under Form B (stockpiles), Form D (retention), and Form E (production facilities). Convention on Cluster Munitions voluntary Article 7 Report, 7 May 2020.
[6] Interview with Sahrun Haji Hashim, Ministry of Defense, in Vientiane, 10 November 2010.