Brunei Darussalam
Cluster Munition Ban Policy
Summary
Non-signatory Brunei has shown interest in the Convention on Cluster Munitions, but has not taken any steps to join it. Brunei voted in favor of the annual United Nations (UN) resolution promoting the convention in December 2021.
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 convention’s First Meeting of States Parties in Vientiane, Lao PDR in November 2010, which remains its only participation to date in a meeting of the convention. Military officials from Brunei attended an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional meeting on cluster munitions, convened virtually by the Philippines in July 2020.[4]
In December 2021, Brunei voted in favor of a key United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution, which urged states outside the Convention on Cluster Munitions to “join as soon as possible.”[5] Brunei has voted in favor of 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, or stockpiled cluster munitions.[6] Previously, in 2010, a defense representative said that Brunei does not possess any stockpiles of cluster munitions.[7]
[1] In November 2010, a government representative said that Brunei was reviewing the convention. Interview and CMC meeting with Sahrun Haji Hashim, Senior Legal Officer, Legal Unit, Ministry of Defense, in Vientiane, 10 November 2010.
[2] See, Brunei Convention on Cluster Munitions Voluntary Article 7 Report, 7 May 2020. The report covers calendar year 2019.
[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,” 29 July 2020.
[5] “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions,” UNGA Resolution 76/47, 6 December 2021.
[6] The report states “not applicable” under Form B (stockpiles), Form D (retention), and Form E (production facilities). See, Brunei 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.