Nia Griffith MP is supporting an international campaign calling for a robust and human rights-based arms trade treaty to be negotiated this July at the United Nations in New York.
Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said:
“Every day, 1,500 people die as a result of armed violence and conflict. The current poor regulations on arms trades allow these weapons to fall into the wrong hands, where they can be used to fuel conflict, poverty and human rights violations. Amnesty is calling for a treaty based on a simple principle: no transfers of weapons likely to be used for violations of international law. “
Nia said:
“As a life-long campaigner on the arms trade, this week I joined my neighbour Martin Caton, Labour MP for Gower, in debate in the House of Commons to offer our full support to Alistair Burt MP, the Government Foreign Office minister representing the UK at the Arms Trade Treaty talks in New York. We are very pleased that the coalition government is continuing Labour policy of supporting a strong arms trade treaty, but I am very worried that there are some countries which are trying to frustrate the negotiations in New York. It’s important that Alistair Burt knows that there is strong cross-party support for a robust arms trade treaty.”