UN conference on Arms Trade Treaty; Indian Civil Society take positive note
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglun Hanghal

New Delhi, July 11 2012: Beginning from July 2 , the United Nations conference on Arms Trade Treaty is all set to mark a historic conventional arms regulation within the United Nations.

The negotiations will come to a close on July 27 .

Indian delegation led by Sujata Mehta , ambassador and permanent representative of India to the UN conference on Disarmament are taking part in the negotiation.

One of the lead campaigner in India, Secretary of the Control Arms Foundation , Binalakshmi Nepram told reporters here in New Delhi that the UN negotiation process is positive.

Recalling the campaign in India for an international arms treaty, that started in 2006, which initially did not get any response , both in the civil society and the establishment she said " we were treated like an 'untouchable" but today our work is being recognized " said Nepram, " we have the support of 72 members of parliament" .

The process of the Arms Trade Treaty in the United Nation's Office for Disarmament was initiated in 2006 on account of the concerns over misused of weapons , the absence of globally agreed rules for all Countries on arms transfers, most importantly with pressure coming from the civil society around the world.

While India abstained, over a hundred countries submit it their view on such a treaty.

Today there are 150 countries voting for the treaty.

In the current negotiation India views that the Treaty should not prejudice the rights of the States to self defence, right to engage in arms trade.

India support the coverage of seven main categories of Register of conventional arms , but does not support inclusion of components and technology transfer and manufacture under foreign licences, underlining the mandate for arms trade treaty in the UN general assembly resolution.

According to India's position , the parameters in transfer of arms should be objective, non discriminatory, predictable and should be linked to international principles .

India believes that establishing and exercising control over conventional arms trade is primarily a national responsibility and should be discharged with obligations under international law vis a vis national legal framework.

And that the proposed treaty should not prescribe on transfer control system .

India's concluding provision is to consider a traditional numerical approach to entry into force.

India feels that there is no need to specify an instrument on how the State parties to the treaty should relate to State that are not parties to it.

That the treaty should not apply retrospectively or affect pre-existing agreements in any manner.

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