AS 28 nations gather in New York, United States, to discuss the unwholesome influx of arms which has fuelled conflicts and poverty in Africa and other third world countries, the impact of the problem on the ongoing militancy in the Niger Delta is to receive the attention of delegates, The Guardian learnt yesterday.
The talks, which started on Tuesday and are to end today at the United Nations (UN) headquarters, offer prospects for an historic way forward on conventional arms control, Control Arms campaigners affirmed.
Twenty-eight delegates from every continent will sit on the “Group of Governmental Experts in New York, where they will start their first discussions on a global Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).
Hundreds of non-governmental organisations in Control Arms, according to Innocent Adjenughure, National Coordinator, Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) Network, Nigeria, have been campaigning since 2003 for a treaty which would prohibit arms transfers that have been fueling conflict, poverty and serious human rights abuses, especially in areas like the Niger Delta
While 80 per cent of states broadly support these goals, some sceptical governments wrongly claim that a treaty would prevent responsible arms transfers for legitimate defence, policing or peace-keeping.
So far, The Guardian learnt, there has been huge momentum internationally for adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty. The UN overwhelmingly voted to start work on the ATT in 2006 and last year, 100 states responded to the Secretary General’s consultation – more than 10 times the usual amount.
In addition, an array of military leaders, police officers, doctors, parliamentarians, community leaders, human rights workers, celebrities, religious groups and people forced to flee violence took part in Control Arms events and in a Global People’s Consultation to demand tougher controls on the international trade in conventional arms.
Nigeria has allegedly played a key role in the push for an Arms Trade Treaty and has stoutly supported the treaty at various international fora.
Brian Wood, research and policy manager on arms control at Amnesty International, said: “Every day, we are documenting gross human rights abuses and war crimes perpetrated as a result of the irresponsible trade in conventional arms, including small arms. This treaty is urgent, but it will only be effective if it requires governments to prohibit transfers when there is a clear risk the arms will be used for serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.”
Another participant, Rebecca Peters, said: “This treaty will bring about a new level of global cooperation. The uncontrolled commerce of small arms and ammunition devastates human lives and seriously hinders sustainable development. The government experts need to take into account all aspects of the small arms trade – from production and brokering, to transit and logistics.”
Also, Anna MacDonald, head of the Control Arms campaign at Oxfam, asserted: “These UN arms control talks must not fail. A thousand people each day die from armed violence and many thousands more see their lives destroyed. It is essential we do all we can to reduce these figures. These government experts have an unprecedented opportunity to help prevent armed violence.”
In 2006, 153 states voted in the UN General Assembly to begin work on an Arms Trade Treaty – 24 states abstained and only the United States voted against.
Control Arms has made broad proposals for a global Arms Trade Treaty that would prevent international transfers if it is likely that such equipment will be used for violations of international law, especially international human rights and humanitarian law.