UNA-UK urges Philip Hammond to help secure a robust Arms Trade Treaty

UNA-UK has written to Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond as part of a UK Working Group on Arms initiative, calling for strong UK Government representation at a meeting that will help determine the future effectiveness of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).    Beginning in Mexico on 24 August, the First Conference of States Parties (CSP) presents a major opportunity for the UK to build on the momentum of the ATT by implementing it to a high standard. As one of the seven states to co-author the original UN resolution calling for the creation of the Treaty, the UK would send an important statement of support by sending an appropriately high-level delegation.   The letter also urges Mr Hammond to support the agreement of rules and infrastructure which will enable robust Treaty implementation. Recommendations include: an expanded role for NGOs to participate as independent observers to ensure a transparent and accountable process; the agreement of a sustainable funding mechanism; and the creation of a well-resourced ATT Secretariat to enable support for implementation.   UNA-UK recently expressed concern at the UK Government’s decision to relax restrictions on UK arms exports to Israel. The announcement is emblematic of a much wider issue - the UK's practice of granting billions of pounds worth of licences to states identified by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as having bad human rights records.  The UK recently relabelled such states as 'human rights priority countries' (they were previously known as  'countries of human rights concern').   UNA-UK has persistently called on the Government to tighten its arms export control systems in line with the letter and spirit of the ATT.  If the UK is to set a positive example on arms control, it is crucial that it addresses the conflict between business interests and human rights concerns in licensing decisions and that it ensures there is no reduction in levels scrutiny.
  The ATT provides an international legal and regulatory framework for the arms trade based on respect for international law and human rights. The under-regulated arms trade has devastating consequences for people around the globe with the black market in small arms and light weapons estimated at $1billion.    The UK Working Group on Arms is a coalition of UK-based NGOs working on arms control issues.  Other organisations that signed onto the letter include Article 36, Oxfam GB, Saferworld and Transparency International.   Click here to read the letter to Mr Hammond   Click here to read more about UNA-UK’s position on arms control