Take it or Leave it

By Jennifer Fierberg

Control Arms has published their reaction to the final draft of the Arms Trade Treaty. Just before the negotiations ended earlier today the President of the committee stated “take it or leave it” and then an hour later the final draft was published.

Control Arms is an organization formed to support a strong Arms Trade Treaty and has been part of the process since 2006. They have tirelessly organized, lobbied and partnered with many organizations in order to seek protection and inclusion for the innocent victims of unregulated arms trade going on around the world. Their efforts have been nothing short of heroic in this process and the world should recognize their amazing efforts. Below is their reaction with Oxfam to the final draft of the Arms Trade Treaty that has been seven years in the making:

For immediate release

Control Arms Reaction to the New Text on the Final Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty

Anna Macdonald, Oxfam’s Head of Arms Control, said:

“We see some improvements have been made since the last draft was issued but there are still some important problems with the new text.

“The scope of what would be covered in the treaty is still too narrow. We need a treaty that covers all conventional weapons, not just some of them. The criteria by which governments assess whether to authorize an arms transfer also need to be unambiguous.

“There are 24 hours to go before the end of this conference. The 103 states who so clearly said on Monday they wanted a strong text must not give up. They must spend the remaining time we have ensuring we get a robust treaty agreed tomorrow.

“We need to have a treaty that will send a clear message to human rights abusers and dictators that their time is up. We need a treaty that will make a difference to the lives of the people living in Congo, Mali, Syria and elsewhere who suffer each day from the impacts of armed violence.”

 

Contact:

LOUIS BELANGER | Humanitarian Media Officer Oxfam International Cell +1 917 224 0834 Twitter: https://twitter.com/louis_press