arms trade

Arms and bullets continue to destroy lives. Every continent in the world is marred by devastation caused by armed violence.

Anna Macdonald Head of Arms Control at Oxfam said:

Political leaders have a historic opportunity to place human rights and humanitarian aims above self-interest and profit when final negotiations to regulate the global arms trade begin today at the United Nations, campaigners from across the world said.

The poorly regulated global trade in arms and ammunition weakens the ability and willingness of governments to sustain progress in development.

According to new figures, more than $2.2 billion worth of arms and ammunition have been imported since 2000 by countries operating under arms embargoes.

Baffour Amoa, spokesperson for the Control Arms Coalition said:

New York : Campaigners today called on governments meeting at the United Nations to ensure no weapons or munitions are sold to human rights abusers. The call came as delegates meet this week to resume negotiations on a global, legally-binding Arms Trade Treaty.

The Control Arms alliance expressed some satisfaction at progress made at the preliminary Arms Trade Treaty negotiations but urged governments to maximize time before the next meeting in 2011 to develop a draft Treaty further.

States must use every available minute to draw up a new international arms treaty that could save thousands of lives every year, NGOs from around the world said today as negotiators from 192 governments begin formal talks at the United Nations on Monday.

On 6 December 2006, the UN General Assembly first voted to work towards an Arms Trade Treaty to protect civilians worldwide from irresponsible arms transfers.