ARMS TRADE TREATY

That this House strongly supports the negotiation process for an Arms Trade Treaty, which must deliver a robust, legally-binding instrument at the UN in 2012 that effectively tackles the devastating consequences of armed violence and conflict around the globe; notes that the irresponsible and poorly-regulated trade in arms fuels conflict and serious human rights abuses in regions across the world undermines development; recognises that the UK has been instrumental in driving the Arms Trade Treaty process forward; welcomes the strong cross-party support for a robust Arms Trade Treaty; calls on the Government to do all within its power to build international support for a strong treaty that at a minimum establishes that no international transfer of arms and ammunition will be authorised if there is a substantial risk that the weapons will be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international human rights law or international humanitarian law, or will seriously impair poverty reduction or socio-economic development; and further recognises that for an Arms Trade Treaty to have proper impact, its scope must be comprehensive and include all international transfer of conventional weapons and in particular small arms and light weapons, but also all related ammunition and equipment used to deploy potentially lethal force in military and internal security operations.