League Calls on UN to Lobby for Arms Treaty

News from Celtic Press

The Celtic League has called on the United Nations for them to back the creation of a global arms treaty.

The Convenor and General Secretary the League wrote the letter in a joint capacity to the UN?s Convenor Special Rapporteur on the prevention of human rights violations calling on her to help stop the trade of arms if it is likely that the trade will lead directly to serious human rights abuses or poverty. In the letter the League officers wrote:

The Celtic League, a NGO with Roster Status with ECOSOC call on the UN to coordinate the setting up of an Arms Trade Treaty that effectively prevents arms from fuelling such atrocities and abuses.

The letter was sent amid news that the Syrian regime has been accused once again of committing atrocities against its own citizens with arms that have been supplied to it by Russian sources.

The full text of the letter is set out below.

Professor Barbara Frey
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the prevention of human rights violations

Dear Professor Barbara Frey

Call for Arms Trade Treaty

Millions of people are being killed, injured, raped, repressed and forced to flee their homes every year as a result of the irresponsible and poorly regulated arms trade. Health, education and other services are being denied and livelihoods destroyed.

The world needs a strong Arms Trade Treaty that will prevent arms transfers if they are likely to contribute directly to serious human rights abuses or poverty. The treaty must cover all conventional arms including ammunition.

The Celtic League, a NGO with Roster Status with ECOSOC call on the UN to coordinate the setting up of an Arms Trade Treaty that effectively prevents arms from fuelling such atrocities and abuses.

We also ask the UN to pursue the enactment of this Treaty with all the powers at its disposal.

We want a 'golden rule' written into the treaty so that arms will not be sold to governments and people who will use them to abuse human rights. It's simple, no arms for atrocities.

Yours sincerely

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot and Cathal Ó Luain
General Secretary and Convenor
Celtic League

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For comment or clarification on this news item in the first instance contact:

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot,
General Secretary,
Celtic League
Tel: 0044 (0)1209 319912
M: 0044 (0)7787318666
gensec@celticleague.net

The General Secretary will determine the appropriate branch or General Council Officer to respond to your query.

ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE

01/06/12

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues.