In a recent blog post for the Control Arms coalition, UNA-UK's Communications and Campaigns Officer, Ben Donaldson, outlines how the UK can be a global champion for the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) now that it has taken the important step of ratifying the Treaty.
Acknowledging that the Treaty, anticipated to enter into force later this year, needs to be implemented to a high standard if it is to save lives and bring about the reduction in armed violence that we all want to see, Ben writes:
The Treaty will not save lives by being ratified alone; strong and widespread implementation is what will make the difference. The work starts now.
If the UK is serious about its commitment to saving lives and reducing the fallout from the under-regulated arms trade, there are many things it can and should do. The UK can use its influence and extensive diplomatic networks to encourage others to ratify. The UK can provide international assistance and ratification/implementation support to those less well-resourced countries. The UK can speak out, and where possible, take action, against countries and arms export practices that are not in keeping with the Treaty.
But most of all, the UK can lead by example and implement a strong interpretation of the Treaty. This will give the UK the credibility, moral clout and inclination to be a compelling global champion for the Treaty allowing the other points above to be pursued with ardour and success.
As the 6th largest arms exporter for the period 2008-2012, accounting for 4% of world deliveries, the UK is a major exporter that, with the right approach, could make a major impact on the success of the Treaty.
The blog goes on to consider some of the UK's arms export practices highlighted by the Committees on Arms Export Controls that appear to be at odds with the UK's commitment to the Treaty and risk tarnishing the UK’s reputation as an ATT advocate.
Last year the Committees revealed that over 3000 licences worth more than £12bn had been granted to supply strategic controlled goods to countries the UK Government itself had dubbed ‘of human rights concern’, including licences for crowd control ammunition to Saudi Arabia and assault rifles to Sri Lanka.
Click here to read blog in full
Letter published in The Times, 25 April 2014
In a letter to The Times, Ben Donaldson draws attention to the UK Government's practice of granting export licences for strategic controlled goods to countries itself has dubbed "of human rights concern":
"On the face of it, these licences are at odds with our commitment to the Arms Trade Treaty, which the UK ratified earlier this month, and risk tarnishing the UK's reputation as a leading treaty advocate.
By clarifying and, where necessary, rectifying its position on arms exports to these countries the UK will be on much firmer footing when championing the treaty."
Click here to read the letter in full
