Support a Strong and Effective U.N. Arms Trade Treaty!
In picture above:
Activists from Oxfam Canada solicit signatures in Ottawa for a petition
calling for “No Arms for Atrocities” in advance of the Arms Trade Treaty
negotiations beginning July 2 at the United Nations in New York.
Supporters of the Arms Trade Treaty hit the streets of Ottawa Wednesday
to urge Prime Minister Stephen Harper to champion strong and
comprehensive rules on the international trade in weapons and
ammunition.
Oxfam and other groups issued a joint statement describing the
negotiations as “a unique opportunity to keep weapons from reaching
terrorists, criminals, and human rights abusers and to curb the terrible
human toll caused by armed violence.” The groups noted that there are strict global regulations governing trade in bananas but no global rules on the multi-billion dollar business of buying and selling conventional arms and ammunition. (AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CANADA/SUSANNE URE)
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From Col (Ret) Paul Maillet's Letter to PM Harper:
" In serving our country, military members have learned firsthand why a strong treaty is necessary. We have witnessed the devastation that occurs when weapons and ammunition get into the wrong hands. Across the world, easy access to guns, especially small arms and light weapons, has prolonged armed conflict and killed, maimed and scarred many soldiers and countless civilians, Canadians among them. We have been on the front lines and we have witnessed the carnage.
Our experience has shown us the urgent need for global cooperation to regulate international weapons transfers. We need an international treaty that will set strong universal rules for the movement of all conventional weapons and ammunition among states. We need a treaty that will minimize the risks of weapons getting into the wrong hands, such as governments that would use them against their own citizens, or warlords who would use them to recruit and abuse children. We need a treaty with adequate reporting mechanisms so that action on treaty obligations can be fully monitored.
We believe the Arms Trade Treaty should be solidly based in respecting the laws of armed conflict or International Humanitarian Law, which is the foundation for ensuring that our troops preserve and protect the lives, dignity and livelihoods of civilians, and in turn are protected from torture and abuse. Respect for International Humanitarian Law,( IH) is the key measure for judging whether an arms transfer should go forward.
An effective Arms Trade Treaty must also hold states to account for their decisions and actions, and prevent the diversion of weapons into criminal and irresponsible channels. The treaty must not contain exemptions or loopholes that would undermine strong regulations.
As a former military leader, I believe that increased transparency regarding our arms imports and exports will help prevent corruption and potential overspending on equipment which may not be appropriate to a given country’s defense needs. I am convinced that the general information disclosed on types of weapons, transfers and the amounts of money involved will not undermine a country’s strategic interests and should by no means be considered as “classified” for military purposes."
Col. (ret) Paul Maillet