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Amnesty International, Oxfam, IANSA Launch Global Control Arms Campaign
Here they come again, EFL:The global arms trade is dangerously unregulated, and allows weapons to reach repressive governments, human rights abusers and criminals, says a new report released today. To address these concerns, three international organisations have joined to launch a global campaign in over 50 countries. The âControl Armsâ campaign aims to reduce arms proliferation and misuse and to convince governments to introduce a binding arms trade treaty. Why gee, that sounds so "reasonable". Arms proliferation and abuse, have reached a critical point, fuelling human rights violations, poverty, and conflict. Someone is killed every minute by armed violence while many more suffer abuse and serious injury. But arms are a dangerously unregulated global business, according to the new report. "Each year hundreds of thousands of people are unlawfully killed, tortured, raped and displaced through the misuse of arms. With the âwar on terrorâ dominating the international agenda, there should be renewed interest in arms control. Yet the reverse has occurred. The vicious circle of arms transfers, conflict and abuse can and must be stopped," said Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International. "WOT" = Itâs Americas fault! To address these concerns, Amnesty International, Oxfam and the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) have jointly launched the global Control Arms campaign. The campaign will focus on promoting an international treaty covering arms transfers - the Arms Trade Treaty - as well as a number of regional and locally appropriate measures designed to limit arms proliferation and misuse. You always have to read the fine print to find the real agenda. "The arms trade is out of control. It is a global problem with horrific local consequences - and it is poor people who suffer the most. An Arms Trade Treaty is desperately needed, to stop the flow of arms to abusers and to help make all our societies safer," said Barbara Stocking, Director of Oxfam. "Do it for The Children! tm. Alongside the call for an Arms Trade Treaty, the Control Arms campaign is also calling for: - Governments to develop and strengthen regional arms-control. Ok. I guess. - Governments to rigorously control national arms exports, brokers and dealers, and do more to prevent law enforcers misusing their weapons and to protect citizens from armed violence. And how do we protect citizens from armed violence, you ask? - Local authorities and community leaders to help improve safety at a community level by developing projects to reduce the local availability and demand for arms. And that means your guns as well. Right, when they pry it from my cold dead fingers. Posted by: Steve 2003-10-09 |
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