Dear
Foreign Secretary,
As we
enter the final days of the UN Arms Trade Treaty negotiations in New York we
want to call on you to bring the talks back on track and ensure a strong and
robust Arms Trade Treaty is agreed to help save lives, prevent human rights
abuses, and protect the livelihoods of people around the world.
Irresponsible
and unregulated trade in arms inflict misery on millions in some of the world’s
poorest and most vulnerable countries - fuelling conflict, breaking down
societies and preventing families climbing out of poverty. According to a
recent NGO report, one person dies every minute from armed violence and Africa
loses around $19 billion a year due to violent conflicts. A key element
in helping prevent conflicts, and making them less deadly when they occur, is
better controls on arms supplies. We urge the UK Government to demonstrate the
global leadership needed to agree this historic breakthrough on arms regulations
and secure a robust and effective global Arms Trade Treaty with comprehensive
scope and robust parameters.
A strong
treaty is vital to tighten the net to eliminate irresponsible trade, and ensure
that legitimate trade everywhere is properly regulated. Such an agreement would
help to prevent the spread of conflict and ultimately save lives and reduce
human rights abuses.
Without
agreement there could be grave consequences for future conflicts around the
world.
Yours
sincerely
Douglas
Alexander
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