Brunei Darussalam

Cluster Munition Ban Policy

Last updated: 13 September 2021

Summary

Non-signatory Brunei has shown interest in the convention, but has not taken any steps to join it. Brunei 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. Military officials from Brunei attended an ASEAN meeting on the convention convened virtually by the Philippines in July 2020.[4]

In December 2020, 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.”[5] 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 (CCW).

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.[6] Previously in 2010, a defense representative said that Brunei does not possess a stockpile of cluster munitions.[7]



[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] Philippines Mission to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva press release, “Philippines hosts webinar to promote Convention on Cluster Munitions among ASEAN Member States,” Manila and Geneva,  29 July 2020.

[5]Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions”, UNGA Resolution 75/62, 7 December 2020.

[6] 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.

[7] Interview with Sahrun Haji Hashim, Ministry of Defense, in Vientiane, 10 November 2010.


Mine Ban Policy

Last updated: 13 November 2019

Policy

Brunei Darussalam signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 4 December 1997 and ratified it on 24 April 2006, becoming a State Party on 1 October 2006. Legislation to enforce the antipersonnel mine prohibition domestically has been drafted but not yet enacted.[1]

Brunei last attended a meeting of the treaty in November–December 2011 when it attended the Eleventh Meeting of States Parties in Phnom Penh. Brunei has not submitted a Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 report since April 2007. On 22 June 2010, Brunei submitted a letter to the UN in lieu of an Article 7 report that stated it does “not have any Anti-Personnel Mines that are banned under the Convention, and therefore we do not have any information for the Article 7 Annual Report.”[2]

On 5 December 2018, Brunei voted in favor of UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 71/63 calling for universalization and full implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty.

Brunei is not party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons, nor is it party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Use, production, transfer, and stockpile

Brunei has never used, produced, imported, exported, or stockpiled antipersonnel mines, including for training purposes.



[1] Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for unspecified period ending April 2007), Form A.

[2] Letter from Amb. Janin Erih, Permanent Mission of Brunei to the UN in Geneva, 22 June 2010.