Press release: Friday, 17 July 2009

NZ at Arms Trade Treaty meeting in NY - The World Cannot Wait

A joint statement from Oxfam New Zealand and Amnesty International Aotearoa NZ

Thousands of people are killed, injured, raped, and forced to flee from their homes as a result of the unregulated global arms trade. A legally binding Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) has the potential to ease the suffering caused by irresponsible transfers of conventional weapons and munitions. This message continues to be the topline ask of a joint Amnesty International and Oxfam International campaign.

"Timing is critical and progress is urgent. Delays in commencing negotiations must stop. The world can't wait; an effective treaty is badly needed now," says Marianne Elliott Policy Advisor at Oxfam New Zealand.

Currently, Open-Ended Working Groups are in place, working towards the commencement of negotiations. The second such group began this week at the UN headquarters in New York and New Zealand is attending. New Zealand has been, and continues to be, commendably supportive of the ATT. It is crucial, however, that supportive states such as New Zealand, work together to make their voice heard at the Working Group, speaking up on behalf of the ATT and pushing for negotiations to begin in October.

Supportive states must also push for a strong, effective deal. A weak ATT would not only be ineffective, but it may also legitimize whatever is left out of the deal. The ATT must be all-inclusive, covering all weapons, all transfers and associated transactions, it must hold governments to account, and it must be both workable and enforceable. At its core, the ATT should also uphold human rights, development and regional stability, as well as the aim to deter terrorism, corruption, organised crime and gender-based violence.

Nearly three years have passed since the United Nations agreed to begin discussing the ATT. Since then, views have been satisfactorily aired and positions shared. It is now time to change gears and shift into a phase of negotiations sooner rather than later. "There is enough support amongst states for an ATT. As irresponsible arms transfers continue to destroy thousands of lives around the world there is no time to waste," adds Patrick Holmes, CEO, Amnesty NZ.

For more information please visit www.amnesty.org.nz and www.oxfam.org.nz

ENDS

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