Straw calls for new arms trade treaty

Jack Straw has called for an international agreement to restrict the trade in conventional weapons.

The foreign secretary delivered a keynote speech on Tuesday in which he gave government backing to the campaign for a legally binding global arms trade treaty.

He said there is a crucial element missing in the current global framework of rules governing the sale of weapons.

Straw argued that existing treaties covering chemical, biological and nuclear weapons should be matched by a new treaty covering smaller weapons.

And he acknowledged that such weapons "account for far more misery and destruction across the world".

"The new treaty needs to include a wide range of signatories, including the world's major arms exporters," he said.

"I certainly do not underestimate the difficulties of that. Many nations are concerned that a new arms trade treaty may restrict their defence industries; constrain their foreign policy; and lead to constant legal challenge of export licence decisions. Their approach may initially be one of scepticism, at best.

"But in order for it to work properly, a new arms control treaty will need to include as many of the world's nations as possible - especially those with strong defence industries of their own.

"So we need to start by persuading our international partners that a more transparent and effective international regime on arms exports is in all our interests."

'Long needed'

Responding to the speech, campaigners called for the government to show "global leadership" on the issue.

Amnesty International UK campaigns director Stephen Bowen said: "Jack Straw's support for an arms trade treaty is welcome news for the Control Arms campaign and welcome news for human rights.

"The UK government must now show global leadership and carry through its commitment at the G8.

"It must urge other countries to see the desperate need for a legally-binding treaty that stops weapons being sold to people who persecute, torture and massacre.

"And it should press hard to make the treaty a reality. We need action now – every day more lives are lost to armed violence."

The Control Arms campaign - which involves Oxfam, Amnesty International and International Action Network on Small Arms - says there are around 639 million small arms and light weapons around the world, with eight million more produced every year.

The organisation is urging legally binding arms controls which would establish the same international standards for all governments and stop weapons "falling into the hands of indiscriminate killers and human rights abusers".