Sir, Every day approximately 1,000 men, women and children die as a consequence of armed violence, with many more maimed, tortured and terrorised. The widespread proliferation and misuse of conventional arms has reached a critical point, but there is still no comprehensive international law regulating their sale and export. All too often it is civilians and our own troops who are paying the price with their lives for this failure.
This week a group of experts from 28 countries will hold the first of three meetings at the UN to discuss the proposed international arms trade treaty, which already has the explicit support of 153 governments from around the world. This treaty would seek to prevent arms being exported to destinations where they are likely to be used to commit grave violations of human rights and humanitarian law, to fuel conflict or undermine development.
Responsible exporters have nothing to fear from an arms trade treaty. Irresponsible trading exacerbates human suffering, as well as negatively affecting our own national security and that of our allies. The absence of a universal high standard of export control policies, systems and procedures among major exporters creates loopholes which unscrupulous operators exploit, and lowers the standard for the rest of the world.
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The challenge is urgent; the illicit and irresponsible arms trade needs to be brought under control. We call on the world’s governments to seize the opportunity to enable continued progress towards a strong global arms trade treaty that will be genuinely effective in saving lives.
Rear-Admiral Rees Ward
Director-General, Defence Manufacturers’ Association
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Barbara Stocking
Chief Executive, Oxfam GB
Kate Allen
Director, Amnesty International UK
Henry Smith
Director, Saferworld