July 2012
On 2-27 of July, the UN Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty will occur in New York. In 2006 the UN General Assembly decided to convene this conference after gathering from over 100 countries their views on such a treaty in 2006. According to the
UN website, the purpose of the conference is “to elaborate a legally binding instrument on the highest possible common international standards for the transfer of conventional arms.” According to the
UN conference website, “Virtually all international trade in goods is regulated. But no globally agreed standards exist for the international arms trade.”
According to paragraph two of the preparatory report, the absence of commonly agreed international standards for the transfer of conventional arms and their diversion to the illicit market are contributory factors to:
- armed conflict
- serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law
- gender-based violence
- displacement of people
- transnational organized crime
- terrorism
- the illicit trade in narcotics
Without guidelines, peacekeeping, fighting crime and terrorism are challenging to governments, non-governmental groups and civil society groups aimed at protecting and helping civilians. While governments exist to protect their citizens, they would do well to assess the risk before such arms transfers. However, this is often not the current reality.
One of the above, gender-based violence, is often synonymous with the use of arms. Rape is often used when governments or groups use arms in war. According to an article entitled,
Violence Against Women: Wars Overlooked Victims, rape is as old as war itself. If women are able to escape rape as a conflict of war, women are often forced to exchange sex for survival of their children. According to the above article, the “range of sexual violence in war has become apparent: the abduction of women as sex slaves, sexualised torture and mutilation, rape in public or private.” If those coming through a certain geographic area hear rape is likely, often the village evacuates leaving women and families displaced and vulnerable to domestic violence.
The article further points out that:
- The conditions of war are often conducive to rape. Young, ill-trained men, fighting far from home, are freed from social and religious constraints.
- As wars have moved from battlefields to villages, women and girls have become more vulnerable.
- Rape is often part of ethnic cleansing.
- Though wartime rape is prohibited under the Geneva rules, sexual violence has often been prosecuted less fiercely than other war crimes.
As nations examine these and other risks, there is great need for an Arms Trade Treaty. According to an
article in mid-June, the United States is set to surpass defense sales for this year having hit a record already in $50 billion in government-to-government military sales. The article reads, "To put this in context, fiscal year 2011 was a record-setting year at just over 30 billion. This fiscal year will be at least 70 percent greater." While the article questions the fact that the U.S. has placed economic income over security issues, Andrew J. Shapiro, an assistant secretary in the U.S. State Department noted that, “the U.S. only allows a sale after we carefully examine issues like human rights.” The U.S. currently has contracts for weapons with the following countries: Saudi Arabia, Japan, United Kingdom, India, and Brazil.
What does the U.S. think about the upcoming Arms Trade Treaty? According to an article entitled, “
U.S. Sets Another Record on Defense Sales, Already,” the Obama Administration supports passage of the treaty. However, the treaty also highlights the need to cover small-scale ammunition which the U.S. currently opposes. Oxfam International, an advocacy group, “warns that if the treaty does not control ammunition, the treaty will not have achieved its purposes, leaving the international trade in ammunition less accountable and transparent than the trade in arms.”
Reflection and Action:
- Additional reading on the Arms Trade Treaty is located here and Oxfam International has some excellent material located here.
- In addition to U.S. partial agreement of the treaty, India and Belize support the Arms Trade Treaty. Citizens of Botswana, Nepal and the U.S. are invited to urge government leaders to support the Arms Trade Treaty and work toward ratification of the treaty. International action is available.
- What steps can be taken to promote an alternative economy when it comes to divesting in military equipment?
- What responsibility am I being called to make in an effort to stand in solidarity with women who are raped, starved, displaced, or robbed in war-torn countries?
- The U.S. State Department released the 2012 Trafficking in Persons Report recently. This year’s report emphasizes victim protection and how to effectively help survivors restore their lives from the traumas of exploitation.
- In the fall of 2011, a five part series was shared on Women and War located here.
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Follow-up to Rio+20
While Rio+20 was far from a success by many; it was not a total failure. One individual phrased it well when he stated that, “while no major outcomes appeared, there was great progress in the connections made and the examples of leadership with regard to sustainability provided at all levels.” Others proclaim that thinking was changed as a result of Rio+20. No doubt many groups will continue to analyze the outcome document for glimpses of hope and advocate points as the heads of government continue their work on sustainability. Whatever the outlook from analysis, Earth depends on each of us to make good on sustainability.
Among the public responses, the following have been deemed hopeful:
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were given the go ahead after 2015 so as not to take from work currently being done with the Millennium Development Goals.
- A new global indicator of wealth beyond the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was given the go ahead. The UN Statistical Commission has been directed to work with other UN bodies to identify new approaches for measuring progress.
- A 10-year framework on sustainable consumption and production is within the outcome text.
- Agreement to strengthen and upgrade the United Nations Environment Program in order to strengthen the environmental pillar of sustainable development was also agreed upon.
- The term “green economy” was not defined leaving each country to define the term. This left many wondering if it will ever become reality.
Most disappointing was the lack of ambition in the section on the means of implementation. Financing and technology transfer was an area of disagreement. Although in the final text, it remains to be seen if finances or technology transfer will become reality.
Many say it is a bit foolish to believe that 192 world leaders will agree to concrete actions. A sensible approach would include a balance of government, business, community and individual as necessary to empower Earth and all citizens toward sustainability. Perhaps, each individual would do well to write notes on their desired future (similar to the title of the outcome document, The Future We Want) and then reflect upon the action needed within each of these spheres (i.e. government, business, community and individual) that are imperative for this plan to become reality.
Reflection and Action:
- Watch for more articles to read and reflect upon the many analyses of Rio+20.
- What does the term "ecological citizenship" mean to you?
- British political theorist, Andrew Dobson, emphasizes that those who live in regions of greater negative impact on the ecosystem have a greater obligation to reduce their own ecological impact. Individuals who do not choose to act have as much impact as those who choose to act. Write your own The Future We Want and determine what is necessary from government, business, community, and individual to implement this desired future.
- Write your own Sustainable Development Goals or make a list of items you are willing to do to become more sustainable. Examine them each year and create new goals for ever-deepening commitment to sustainability.
- How can I/we work with businesses and governments in our local areas to make a more sustainable way of life for those living on Earth?
- What networks exist for collaboration on this desired future?
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U.S. Legislative Updates
The Senate recently passed the
Farm Bill (S. 3240) and now the House will work on a version of the Farm Bill with debate likely to begin mid-July. Advocacy will be needed throughout the process to produce legislation that feeds hungry, poor and vulnerable people and promotes stewardship of creation. Individuals are invited to be
alert to progress in the House with regard to the Farm Bill.
The
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has yet to be reauthorized. This law improves responses to sexual and domestic violence. Among other things, it provides funding for victim services, law enforcement agencies, court personnel, training and more.
Urge U.S. Senators and Representatives to reauthorize the VAWA as soon as possible.
