The Daily Observer (Banjul)
9 November 2009
Every year, millions around the world suffer as a result of the non-regulation of the global arms trade.
This year, on 30th October, 2009 at the United Nations, after years of discussions and debates, the vast majority of governments - 153 in total - agreed on a timetable to establish a"strong and robust Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) with the highest common standards to control international transfers of conventional arms, a press release from WANEOP-Gambia stated. "here is currently no global regulation of the arms trade.
In a major reversal of policy, the US - the world's biggest arms trader - voted in favour of the resolution. Russia and China abstained; Zimbabwe was the only vote against. As a result of the vote, the conference to finalise the treaty is now scheduled for July 2012 the release stated.Â"is is great news; for too long, the world has been complacent about the devastating effect of the unregulated flow of arms," id Rebecca Peters, director of the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA).
"All countries participate in the conventional arms trade and share responsibility for the collateral damage it produces, widespread death, injuries and human rights abuses. Finally, governments have agreed to negotiate legal controls on this deadly trade. The agreement means that the ATT will be negotiated in a series of meetings concluding at a UN Conference in 2012. The resulting treaty is expected to require states to strictly regulate international transfers according to principles based on international law, significantly reducing the human cost associated with the proliferation of conventional arms.
The resolution on the ATT recognises that international arms transfers contribute to armed conflict, displacement of people-organised crime and terrorism, thereby undermining peace, safety, security and sustainable development" the press release continued. According to the release, campaigners expressed reservations about the procedure planned for the UN conference which could give every state the right of veto.
"WANEP-Gambia believes that governments should keep up the pressure for a strong treaty, and do not allow a minority of states to block the process, the press release further stated.Â"The Gambia is a shining example of peacefulness but in a turbulent and volatile region and should continue to play its enviable role of promoting sustainable peace, security and development both locally and globally by supporting this process to establish a global arms trade treaty,Âsaid Alieu K Jammeh of WANEP-Gambia.
"WANEP-Gambia is a member of the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA), the global movement against gun violence. IANSA is a network of 900 civil society organisations working in 120 countries to stop the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons (SALW), the release concluded.
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