INDIA: LEAD THE WORLD FOR A GLOBAL ARMS TRADE TREATY (ATT)

To:  Indian Government

INDIA: LEAD THE WORLD FOR A GLOBAL ARMS TRADE TREATY (ATT)

While much attention is paid to the proliferation of the so-called weapons of mass destruction, it is the ordinary conventional weapons, such as AK-47's, landmines, tanks, and fighter aircraft, which are responsible for the vast majority of casualties in the world's conflicts. Every day, thousands of people around the world are tortured, injured, or displaced by forces armed with deadly weapons. Every minute of every day, someone is killed by armed violence.

In India alone, 12 people die every day from armed violence.The human cost of the proliferation of small arms is enormous. Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) have become weapons of mass destruction responsible for the vast majority of casualties in the world's conflicts. “Small arms and light weapons destabilize regions; spark, fuel and prolong conflicts; obstruct relief programmes; undermine peace initiatives; exacerbate human rights abuses; hamper development; and foster a culture of violence". Yet there is no comprehensive global treaty to regulate transfer of conventional weapons.

In December 2006, 153 governments voted in favor of the ATT resolution, at the United Nations to start work on developing a treaty, thus paving the way for the United Nations Secretary-General’s consultation on an Arms Trade Treaty. India, however abstained from voting but it is one amongst the Group of Governmental Experts selected by the UN General Secretary to work towards the feasibility, scope and draft parameters for a comprehensive, legally binding instrument establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arm.

The objective of a global arms trade treaty is to ensure the responsible trading of conventional arms by preventing diversion, proliferation, and misuse of arms. It will help in combating illicit transfer of arms by inducing transparency.

TAKE ACTION: SIGN THE E- PETITION

Control Arms Foundation of India (CAFI) and other organizations are working together to reduce armed violence by making the global Arms Trade Treaty a reality. All over India, more than 40,000 citizens and 40 MPs have given their support to the ATT by signing on the petition submitted to the United Nations.

Have you signed the petition yet? If no, sign it now, to save millions of lives.

We urge the government of India to take an active lead in the United Nations process for a Global Arms Trade Treaty hereby to:

1.Stop armed violence that hinders developmental processes.

2.Stop arms transfer that will be used for serious violation of human rights or international humanitarian law.

3.Reduce military expenditure and invest funds in social development and in reducing poverty.

4.Assist in the proper rehabilitation of gun survivors and families affected by gun violence.



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Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The INDIA: LEAD THE WORLD FOR A GLOBAL ARMS TRADE TREATY (ATT) Petition to Indian Government was created by and written by Trilochan Pandey (gremind@gmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.