Tuesday 24 July 2012

Ensure A Strong And Robust Arms Trade Treaty

Sign Douglas Alexander's letter to William Hague here:

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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