|
The arms trade
is out of control and is fuelling conflict, poverty and human rights abuses
worldwide. Every government is responsible. Oxfam, Amnesty and the International
Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) are campaigning for a global Arms
Trade Treaty to bring the trade in weapons under control.
During 2012 there are two UN
meetings at which the content of the Treaty will be debated and voted
on by member states. The final preparatory meeting is 13 - 17 February,
with the formal negotiations running from 2 - 27 July.
These offer our last opportunity
to ensure that the treaty is robust and not just hollow law.
In the lead up to the meeting
in February we are urging the leaders of the three main UK political parties
to ensure that this country continues to champion robust legislation and
lobby for a Treaty that:
- Protects human rights by
guaranteeing that any transfer of arms is stopped if there is evidence
that they are likely to be used in violation of international human
rights or humanitarian law
- Is comprehensive so as to
include all types of conventional weapons and equipment and all transfers
and transactions, including those undertaken by middlemen
- Is enforceable and transparent
to ensure all governments must adopt strong national rules and regulations
and publicly report on their arms sale so they can be held accountable
for their actions
- Enters into force because,
believe it or not, even once the Treaty is agreed it will only be binding
if a set number of states introduce national legislation to ratify it.
This number is to be determined at the final negotiations in July
Further information
Further details of the campaing
and ongoing actions can be found at the campaign
homepage
|
