Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Cluster bomb promoters banned from arms fair

Tim Hume
Sunday 18 September 2011 21:56 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The organisers of the UK's biggest arms fair are facing criticism for allowing a company to advertise banned cluster bombs for a second time.

A Pakistani exhibitor was banned from Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEi) at London's Docklands last week, after promotional material for cluster munitions was found at its stall.

Britain is a signatory to an international convention which makes it illegal to sell or promote cluster bombs, which shower large areas with shrapnel or explosive "bomblets". Campaign groups say there can be no excuse for the lapse, given that the company, Pakistan Ordnance Factory, had been caught promoting the same munitions at the 2009 fair.

"For DSEi, there can be no excuse whatsoever. They were told specifically about the Pakistan Ordnance Factory," said Oliver Sprague of Amnesty International.

Also at the fair, pamphlets advertising illegal torture equipment, including leg cuffs and waist chains, were found at the stall of the Surrey-based Beechwood Equipment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in