On Thursday, 26 October, 139 governments voted in the favour of a UN resolution to start work towards an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).  The Conservative Party Human Rights Commission is delighted that the UN has taken this impressive first step on the road to creating an international framework of arms controls which will outlaw irresponsible arms transfers. 

This historic vote presents a great opportunity for governments to tackle the irresponsible transfers of arms which have fuelled conflict and crime, undermined development and led to grave abuses of human rights.  The current system of bilateral and multilateral agreements has many loopholes which have been exploited by unscrupulous brokers who sell arms to forces which systematically murder, rape, torture and displace thousands of people. 

Gary Streeter MP, Chairman of the Commission, said “I am delighted that the UN has taken this important step.  Irresponsible and immoral arms sales have been responsible for grievous human rights abuses across the globe.”

Member of the Commission, John Bercow MP, who tabled an Early Day Motion calling for an ATT in November 2005, said “The overwhelming support for this measure is testimony to the unfailing efforts of the Control Arms Campaign.  It is a disgrace that arms dealers see fit to sell weapons to barbaric regimes such as Burma and Sudan and I am thrilled that, by demonstrating its overwhelming support for an ATT, the UN has put human rights before the pursuit of filthy lucre.”