democratic world federalists
announce campaign to ban
weapons of mass mutilation
Beginning in April 2010, Democratic World Federalists has begun work on raising awareness of a group of weapons that, though given less attention in the international press than so-called WMD's – Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological weapons – are responsible for inflicting a far greater toll of death, destruction, and suffering. At present the campaign focuses on four munitions: White Phosphorus, Dense Inert Metal Explosives (DIME), Depleted Uranium (DU), and Cluster Bombs. Because of the gruesome effect these arms have upon victims of their use, DWF considers them Weapons of Mass Mutilation – because all too often, survivors of a WMM attack are doomed to a fate worse than death.
All of these munitions are currently in use by, or part of the arsenal of, some of the most powerful and active militaries in the world, including the United States, Israel, NATO, India, Pakistan, Russia, China, and Brazil. Efforts to ban the use or stockpiling of cluster bombs have been resisted by these states despite the fact that a convention banning cluster bombs has been signed by 106 nations and ratified by 32.
White Phosphorus has been banned as an anti-personnel weapon, but its use persists and victims continue to be badly burned by the chemical fires caused when WP reacts with oxygen, fires that burn slowly and cannot be extinguished with water.
Depleted Uranium has been widely used by the United States since being involved in the Yugoslav wars of the 1990's and has been most extensively used in the Iraq wars.
DIME is a new weapon developed by the University of California for the U.S. Air Force but first used by the Israeli military during its incursion into the Gaza Strip in 2008/09.
At present there is no movement to establish an overarching ban on all such weapons that, though they fall under the rubric of "conventional weapons," have decidedly unconventional effects on victims. As world leaders reach further accord on nuclear nonproliferation and move towards nonnuclear arsenals, it is of the utmost importance that the terrible effect of Weapons of Mass Mutilation are not overlooked.
Democratic World Federalists is currently the only world federalist organization taking up the cause of raising awareness for the consequences involved with military use of W.M.M. and calling for a total international ban of White Phosphorus, DIME, DU, and Cluster Bombs.
You can find out more about each of the Weapons of Mass Mutilation below:
Dense Inert Metal Explosives (DIME)
Full-color brochures are available from the Brochures & Flyers page.
The mutilation and killings of innocent fellow human beings will continue on and on until we end the war system, which entraps all nations, and the people of the world are able to govern themselves under democratically enacted and enforceable laws for our world.
What can you do to help? Support Democratic World Federalists in their campaign to expose these Weapons of Mass Mutilation, and make a tax-deductible contribution in the amount of $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or some other amount by sending a check or money order in US dollars to our office address below; or by making a contribution via PayPal or Network for Good by clicking here>>
Democratic World Federalists
55 New Montgomery St., STE 225
San Francisco, CA 94105-3421
Suite 225, San Francisco,