Lithuania: Parliament votes for leaving cluster bomb ban

The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, has voted in favour of withdrawing from the Convention on Cluster Munitions, with 103 MPs in favour, 1 against, and 3 abstentions, BNS reports. Once President Gitanas Nauseda signs the law, Lithuania will withdraw from the convention six months after notification. Defence Minister Laurynas Kasciunas argued that the convention restricted Lithuania’s defence capabilities. Deputy Defence Minister Renius Pleskys pointed out that the security situation had deteriorated substantially since Lithuania joined the convention in 2011, BNS reported. Critics of the move to renege on the cluster bomb ban include the Cluster Munition Coalition, Human Rights Watch, and the Mines Advisory Group, BNS reports.