July 2, 2012 | UN Headquarters, New York City

In the framework of the UN Conference on the ATT, PGA is organizing the Workshop “Making the Arms Trade Treaty a Reality – The Role of Legislators” organized by Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) and hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UN, on 2nd July 2012 from 1:15-2:30 pm in Conference Room D, UN Headquarters in New York (closed event, by invitation only).

In his opening statement, H.E. Ambassador Herman Schaper, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of The Netherlands to the United Nations, mentioned the importance of translating various elements of the treaty into national legislation. In the Netherlands this is a frequent debate in parliament. He himself worked in the area of security and arms control and expressed his high interest in hearing the view points of parliamentarians from many regions of the world. Already the first day of the conference has shown that this is a highly political matter with the issue of Palestine on the table.

H.V. Ross Robertson, MP New Zealand and President of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) thanked the Permanent Mission of the Netherlands. PGA has a close and long standing relationship with the Dutch foreign ministry. President Robertson also thanked SIDA and DANIDA for their core funding which is essential for PGA to carry out its work. At this first day of ATT, Ross Robertson indicated how pleased he was that PGA had brought so many MPs to this essential meeting and that PGA Members are carrying out our duties in an informed way.

H.E. Ms.  Angela Kane, United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affairs stated that this was the first occasion where the international community comes together to negotiate this kind of treaty. Nearly all forms of trades are governed by some rules but there is no set of rules for the international trade of all conventional arms and this situation has resulted in large quantities of weapons falling into the wrong hands. She stressed that what we need is a proactive stand and transparency into accountability on international arms trade. For this to happen, UN Member States will need to adopt an inclusive arms trade treaty. The ATT should also have the highest standards. With good faith good result can be reached and the treaty will have a positive impact on millions of people around the world. Questions on scope of the treaty and criteria and reporting and transparency and other questions remain open. To H.E. Ms. Kane the important role of MPs in implementing this treaty is clear. Parliamentarians, as representatives of the will of the people translate international treaties and can hold colleagues in government accountable. Continued efforts and crucial roles are highly valued and appreciated. She recognized the important role of MPs which have for years advocated for a strong ATT and emphasized that “the status quo is intolerable”.

The chair of the meeting, Ms. Shazia Rafi, PGA Secretary General, reminded participants that PGA was also instrumental in the agreements on the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, where NZ played an important role. At the same time PGA promoted the ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention and was influential in the preparatory work of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, as a Steering Committee member of the Coalition of the International Criminal Court. Ms. Rafi stated that looking at the destruction of the Sufi shrines on this particular day in Mali, this would likely  not have been possible if these militias would not have had access to illegal weapons.

Ms. Rafi than opened the floor for MPs, members of parliamentarians for Global Action, to start the discussion and speak about the experience in their own countries.

Dr. Bernadette Lahai, MP, Sierra Leone, explained that in Sierra Leone in last two decades small arms and light weapons were available and easily handled. It is important that small arms and light weapons are part of the scope of the treaty. If this element were to be lost this would be hard for Africa. Addressing the needs of victims was also important. The current open- nature and discretion of the text of the ATT makes African states worry. Sierra Leone supports the ATT and Dr. Lahai reminds her colleagues that ownership of parliaments can lead to a speedy ratification.

Ms. Irene Naa Torshie Addo, MP, Ghana, explained that in Ghana this topic has not come to the floor of parliament yet. Although regarding its regional position Ghana is very much affected. Mali is on one corner, between Nigeria and Ivory Coast. Ghana is one of the few countries that handed over power quietly. The role that PGA has played is important and this treaty is also important for Ghana, especially before the next, closely contested elections in December.

Mr. Thilanga Sumathipala, MP, Sri Lanka congratulated PGA on the huge achievement of 2000 signatures of MPs for the Control Arms Parliamentarian Declaration, from 96 countries. 40 of these signatures are from Sri Lanka. This has a huge impact since it is about 2.5million people who voted for those 40 MPs! This is a significant representation that we are looking at and whatever happens these legislators have been elected by the people. All the civil wars that Sri Lanka suffered have started with light arms and a small group of people that managed to get hold of these arms. PGA is bringing MPs together who have an important role when going back home. Mr. Thilanga moved the issue of an ATT with a private members motion in his own parliament - which is soon to come out again in Bill format - and encourages others to do so as well.

Mr. Tariq Anwar, MP, India, Chairman of the PGA India National Group stated that India is peace loving country and regarding all the problems it is facing with extremism and terrorism it understands that this issue is very important for world peace. The joint efforts of MPs will certainly lead to succession in this goal. In the future India will take initiatives and although predecessors have done a very good job he will still try to take this opportunity further.

Dr. Donya Aziz, MP, Pakistan repeated that as the PGA Secretary General had already mentioned this is a tricky subject for Pakistan. The number of AK47, left from the Soviet time, in the parking lot of Pakistan’s parliament that are legal, is often shocking for others. This is a problem in society. Dr. Aziz understood that her government in its official function has a problem with ATT but members of parliament can speak for people. For Pakistan a standardized certification for the movement of arms is very much needed. Another issue that needs to be addressed in this framework is corruption. Arms are illegally leaving and entering a parliament. Something that is, unless specifically targeted, difficult to control. This issue needs to be addressed by governments and legislators together.

Mr. Kulaseguran Murugeson, MP Malaysia stated that there is no arms problem in his country. It is nearly impossible since there is the death sentence for owning arms illegally. On this issue opposition and government parties have an agreement. The highest officials of Malaysia are here for negotiations and are very supportive of a strong ATT. In neighboring countries like in Cambodia, millions of people have been killed because of easy access to arms. His biggest concern is the global effect of corruption. The ATT, it is hoped, will bring some sort of control. A lot of politicians are involved in this huge business which is a very lucrative and also one that involves many world leaders directly or indirectly.

Dr. Jackie Blue, MP and Chair of the PGA New Zealand (NZ) National group also congratulated PGA on the over 2000 signatories for the Control Arms Global Parliamentary Declaration on the ATT. NZ took a strong stand in supporting the ATT and hopes for a robust and enduring treaty. PGA has an important role because of its global impact and is therefore a powerful mechanism in supporting a strong ATT. Dr. Blue also acknowledged PGA President Ross Robertson as champion on this issue in the NZ parliament.

PGA Member Katrina Shanks, MP, NZ added that it is an empowering to meet with other MPs that are so committed to the ATT.

Dip. Margarita Stolbizer, MP, Argentina, who has presented the declaration formally to the president of the chamber, expressed her pride to be here and to belong to PGA and be part of the work that PGA is doing on the ATT. Legislators have worked throughout the year on collecting signatures. This is a great support towards democracy and the fight for human rights. It is important to diminish the effect that the arms have on creating violence and the costs. Especially in the Latin American region the trade in arms is closely related to drug trafficking. This endangers future of youth and countries. Argentina wants to work on developing mechanisms to implement a follow up on implementation of the ATT.

Dip. Minou Tavarez Mirabal, MP, Dominican Republic, dwelled on the tradition in arms trafficking in the Caribbean’s, but also on all other forms of trafficking such as the trafficking in human beings and drugs. Therefore it is important to get an agreement that is not only judicial binding but also encompasses the interest of the countries and creates common rules and standards on importation and exportation of weapons. For example in the Dominican Republic 60% of weapon used by people who say they need them for their own personal defense, but this frequently leads to domestic violence involving firearms.

Dip. Felipe Michelini, MP, Uruguay, PGA worked hard for the over 2000 signatures of the Control Arms Parliamentarian declaration, since these signatures shall make a clear statement that PGA has supported this ATT. PGA members want a legal biding instrument that shall be effective but not a decorative treaty. PGA members want a treaty that allows to act! It is the job of parliamentarians to push for this treaty, to implement it and than have a mechanism that works. Dip. Michelini urged members of the international community to do their homework. A society under rule of law needs a treaty of this kind.

Hon. Dr. Ruth Wijdenbosch, Chair of the PGA International Council, MP, Suriname stated that Suriname is well aware of the problems of small arms and light weapons and are working with other countries in the region. Although Suriname is one of the safest countries in the region there are still daily incidents of violence with small weapons. Studies show that there is unmistakably a link between arms distribution, drugs and human trafficking.

Mr. George Payne, MP, Barbados stated that he was grateful for the opportunity to represent MPs from Barbados. He comes from an area referred to as little England, part of the CARICOM grouping of 10 member states. Barbados has no problems with arms and he has never seen an arm except on television. Even tough this treaty has not become a reality the prime minister of Barbados made it clear that Barbados supports this treaty. Personally, he believes that question of corruption has to be dealt with on a separate issue.

Dr. Yusuf Zia Irbec, MP, Turkey, explained that coming from a country suffering under terrorist activities Turkey is fully supporting this treaty. The handing out of arms to illegal troops is harming society. Before going to parliament he received a supportive written comment from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating that it is fully supporting the Control Arms Parliamentarian Declaration that has been launched at PGA’s 33rd Annual Forum in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in October 2011. Dr. Irbec gathered signatures from all groups of parliament and Turkey will fully support this initiative.

Ms. Margareta Cederfelt, MP, Sweden, mentioned that the interest of an ATT is high in Sweden. Almost every week the issue is on the agenda. It is also necessary to have national groups and international groups working on this issue. Sweden has worked with a new law regarding a new inspection that should scrutinize Sweden’s defense export. Things have changed since the time that this agreement had been originally done. She explained that she was grateful to PGA for the possibility to be here for this important conference. It is crucial not only to make the laws but also to scrutinize how they are implemented.

Mr. Martin Horwood, MP, UK, was very interested to hear so many views from so many members of parliament from around the globe. The problem in the UK is slightly different since it is difficult to convince people on the importance of an ATT.

Ms. Kerry McCarthy, MP, UK, stated that in the UK the parliament is spending lots of time discussing Syria and Afghanistan and it can be quite difficult to get people focused on an issue such as the ATT. Over the next view month she sees it as crucial to keep up political will for this treaty. She appreciated this get together and sharing of views and especially thanked the MP from Sri Lanka for sharing his direct experience.

Ms. Shazia Rafi, PGA Secretary General, summed up that the ATT is about controlling the legal trade and in a certain sense, while some of us would of course prefer complete disarmament, in reality it is a major part of the international trade and the only but crucial thing the ATT is doing is bringing some regulation to this international trade of arms. She stressed that these regulations are in everyone’s interest. The PGA Secretary General also specifically thanked Mr. Jeff Abramson, Director of the Control Arms Secretariat and others who participated and showed interest for the global voices of parliamentarians as members of the PGA network. What you put out in the media is also what the general public is seeing. The ATT can seem obscure and detailed in its text so there is a need for clarification.

H.E. High Representative Angela Kane gave a concluding statement on this meeting that she found “extremely interesting” and stated that what struck her in particular was the multiplier effect of how many people one parliamentarian is presenting with each signature (as noted by the MP from Sri Lanka). The United Nations is an organization of many Member States but the ATT is an issue where trade people usually regulate. The ATT is not about disarmament but about regulating the trade of arms. This is often misunderstood and not always sufficiently clarified. There is not much regarding victims support which is the great concern in the Caribbean. The scope of the treaty needs to be tackled in a detailed matter. The voice of parliamentarians needs to be heard.

This report was prepared by Ms. Leyla Nikjou, Program Officer, PGA with Editing by Peter Barcroft, Director of Projects

For further information please contact peter.barcroft@pgaction.org or leyla.nikjou@pgaction.org