Take it or Leave it

We see some improvements have been made since the last draft was issued but there are still some important problems with the new text,

(WASHINGTON DC) - Control Arms has published their reaction to the final draft of the Arms Trade Treaty. Just before the negotiations ended earlier today the President of the committee stated “take it or leave it” and then an hour later the final draft was published. Control Arms is an organization formed to support a strong Arms Trade Treaty and has been part of the process since 2006. They have tirelessly organized, lobbied and partnered with many organizations in order to seek protection and inclusion for the innocent victims of unregulated arms trade going on around the world. Their efforts have been nothing short of heroic in this process and the world should recognize their amazing efforts. Below is their reaction with Oxfam to the final draft of the Arms Trade Treaty that has been seven years in the making:

For immediate release

Control Arms Reaction to the New Text on the Final Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty

Anna Macdonald, Oxfam’s Head of Arms Control, said:

“We see some improvements have been made since the last draft was issued but there are still some important problems with the new text.

“The scope of what would be covered in the treaty is still too narrow. We need a treaty that covers all conventional weapons, not just some of them. The criteria by which governments assess whether to authorize an arms transfer also need to be unambiguous.

“There are 24 hours to go before the end of this conference. The 103 states who so clearly said on Monday they wanted a strong text must not give up. They must spend the remaining time we have ensuring we get a robust treaty agreed tomorrow.<

“We need to have a treaty that will send a clear message to human rights abusers and dictators that their time is up. We need a treaty that will make a difference to the lives of the people living in Congo, Mali, Syria and elsewhere who suffer each day from the impacts of armed violence.”

Contact:

LOUIS BELANGER | Humanitarian Media Officer Oxfam International Cell +1 917 224 0834 Twitter: https://twitter.com/louis_press

Jennifer Fierberg is a social worker in the US working on peace and justice issues in Africa with an emphasis on the crisis in Rwanda and throughout the central region of Africa. Her articles have been published on many humanitarian sites that are also focused on changing the world through social, political and personal action.

Jennifer has extensive background working with victims of trauma and domestic violence, justice matters as well as individual and family therapy. Passionate and focused on bringing the many humanitarian issues that plague the African Continent to the awareness of the developed world in order to incite change. She is a correspondent, Assistant Editor, and Volunteer Coordinator for NGO News Africa through the volunteer project of the UN. Jennifer was also the media co-coordinator and senior funding executive for The Africa Global Village. You can write to Jennifer at jfierberg@ymail.com. Jennifer comes to www.Salem-News.com with a great deal of experience and passion for working to stop human right violation in Africa.