Michelle Ringuette / Amnesty International – 2013-03-01 00:16:22
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=6oJCLQPAJiJUG&b=6645049&aid=518980&msource=W1211EASHR1
ACTION: Support a strong International Arms Trade Treaty. Click Here.
Are Some of These Gunshow Distributors Supplying Bad Guys?
(February 27, 2013) — The International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX), which concluded last week in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, bills itself as one of the biggest arms bazaars in the world. However, among the more than 1,100 companies exhibiting at IDEX were manufacturers whose products have made it a lot easier for bad guys to wreak havoc. After all, there are currently no global checks in place to keep guns out of the wrong hands. 


We’ve got less than a month to go before states convene at the United Nations in New York to finalize a historic Arms Trade Treaty. Take action now to make this Arms Trade Treaty strong so that no more weapons can fall through gaping loopholes and into dangerous hands.
Amnesty International has been able to trace the flow of weapons from manufacturers exhibiting at IDEX to the very weapons used in countries where serious human rights abuses have taken place. There were no checks in place then to stop the free flow of weapons:
• from Pakistan to Sri Lanka, even though the country was embroiled in a brutal civil war that lasted three decades
• or from China to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where both armed groups and government forces alike use child soldiers
• or from the United States to Bahrain, like the tear gas used by government forces against peaceful protesters
But we can ensure that there are checks in place now if we urge the Obama administration to support a strong Arms Trade Treaty.

All the while, NRA officials keep fueling a false #gunversation about the Arms Trade Treaty claiming that its purpose is to infringe on American gun owners rights — knowing full well that it has no impact on gun rights within US borders whatsoever.
In fact, the gun lobby will be in DC today continuing to spread their misinformation campaign during Congressional hearings about gun control.


So, if NRA officials have their way and the Arms Trade Treaty is weakened, then we would see more children recruited as soldiers, more women raped in conflict zones, more families driven from their homes and more senseless deaths. 


We’ve got to make sure the record is set straight before March 18, when Arms Trade Treaty negotiations begin. We must do all we can to close dangerous loopholes, like the one that makes international gun shows an open bazaar for the suppliers of warlords and human rights criminals.


The Arms Trade Treaty has the potential to protect families from gun violence on a global scale. Show President Obama that you care about protecting families worldwide against gun violence by taking action now.

Your voice makes a difference in the global gun debate. 


Michelle Ringuette is
Chief of Campaigns & Programs
at Amnesty International USA

Stop Arming Human Rights Abusers
Amnesty International
On March 18 — 28, 2013 world leaders will have a Final Conference to negotiate the first ever treaty that will prevent weapons from ending up in the hands of tyrants and child soldiers.
The Obama Administration bears heavy responsibility to lead efforts in establishing a strong, human rights orientated treaty — during the negotiation.
Tell Obama the world needs a Robust Arms Trade Treaty NOW. Take action! Learn More
THE LETTER
Stop the Flow of Weapons to Abusers
I am writing in support of an effective Arms Trade Treaty that will stop irresponsible arms transfers. I believe that the US Government should be leading the effort to stop the unregulated flow of weapons because the US has historically been a leading force in the effort to promote and protect human rights and has also been one of the most steadfast responders to humanitarian crises resulting from conflicts that have been exacerbated by small arms.
I write to urge the United States Government to support the highest possible human rights standards within a new Arms Trade Treaty.
I call on the United States Government to ensure that the “Golden Rule” on human rights is included in the Arms Trade Treaty. This rule stipulates that arms transfers shall not be permitted where there is a substantial risk the arms are likely to be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international human rights law or international humanitarian law.
Additionally, I urge President Obama to play a leading role in the historic treaty talks, to champion human rights protection and ensure that a broad scope of weapons, all types of arms transfers as well as ammunition are included in the scope of the treaty. These elements are critical to achieving a “bullet proof” treaty that will stop weapons from reaching the wrong hands.
Posted in accordance with Title 17, Section 107, US Code, for noncommercial, educational purposes.
