Human Rights Ambassador Welcomes Countries Ratifying UN Arms Trade Treaty

Jack Dorsey for Salem-News.com-Apr-03-2014

Human Rights Ambassador welcomed the countries ratified UN Arms Trade Treaty

Salem-News.com Human Rights Ambassador William Nicholas Gomes.

(WASHINGTON DC) - The ambassadors of 18 countries handed over the documents at a U.N. ceremony on the first anniversary of the General Assembly's adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty, which is aimed at stemming the global illegal weapons trade, estimated at between $60 billion and $85 billion. The new ratifications brings the total number to 31, more than half of the 50 needed for the pact to enter into force.

Five of the world's top 10 arms exporters — Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain — turned in their ratification documents at the ceremony. The other 13 were Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Malta, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Human Rights Ambassador for Salem-News.com, William Nicholas Gomes congratulates world leaders for ratifying the United Nation’s Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). He further calls for enforcement of the UN Arms Treaty as soon as possible. Millions of people around the world will continue to suffer the deadly consequences of the poorly regulated global trade in weapons until many more governments take rapid steps to bring the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) into force, William Nicholas Gomes said. "I will continue to campaign for all states to sign, ratify and rigorously implement the ATT."

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Foreign Secretary welcomes UK ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty

After more than 10 years of campaigning and more than 7 years of negotiations, the UK ratifies the Arms Trade Treaty today.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said:-2 April 2014

I am delighted to have overseen the successful conclusion of negotiations and last week to have signed the agreement on behalf of the UK.

The Arms Trade Treaty is the result of outstanding collaboration between the government, civil society and industry all working together for a Treaty that will save lives, and I am proud of the part the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has played.

This Treaty will help make the world safer, by placing human rights and international humanitarian law at the heart of decisions about the arms trade. For the first time, countries have agreed international rules governing everything from small arms to warships. If these rules are implemented globally and effectively, they have the power to stop the arms from reaching terrorists and criminals, and fuelling conflict and instability around the world.

Our work does not stop here. We urge other countries - particularly the largest arms exporters - to ratify the Treaty and ensure it enters into force as quickly as possible. We will continue to support other nations in their plans to implement the Treaty, and Mexico’s efforts to plan the first Conference of States Parties.