CIAO DATE: 11/2009
October 2009
On 6 December 2006, the UN General Assembly first voted to work towards an Arms Trade Treaty to protect civilians worldwide from irresponsible arms transfers. For almost three years, governments have discussed what the treaty might look like. And in that time, Oxfam estimates that almost 2.1 million men, women, and children have died as a result of armed violence. Millions more have been injured, displaced, or impoverished. Had there been an effective Arms Trade Treaty in place, regulating the flow of arms around the world, it could have significantly reduced this human tragedy.
Resource link: Dying for Action: Decision time for an urgent, effective Arms Trade Treaty [PDF] - 314K