INDEPENDENT NEWS

NZ to ratify global arms trade treaty

Published: Tue 2 Sep 2014 09:17 AM
NZ to ratify global arms trade treaty
Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed news that New Zealand will ratify the Arms Trade Treaty - a world-first agreement aimed at regulating and controlling the trade in conventional arms.
Prime Minister John Key made the announcement when he met with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Auckland this morning.
“The Arms Trade Treaty is a major step forward in global efforts to reduce the harm caused by the illicit arms trade,” Mr McCully says.
“New Zealand has supported the Treaty from its inception. We have also developed a model law to assist Pacific states, and small states in other regions, to implement the Treaty.
“We will be among the first 50 states to ratify - an important milestone in terms of bringing the Treaty into force globally.
“All parties to the Treaty must adopt basic regulations and processes to control the flow of weapons across international borders. These include prohibiting the transfer of arms that may be used to commit genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes.
“New Zealand is internationally recognised for our role in promoting disarmament, including nuclear disarmament and we are proud to be playing a similar role in addressing the trade in conventional arms,” Mr McCully says.
ends

Next in New Zealand politics

Penny Drops – But What About Seymour And Peters?
By: New Zealand Labour Party
PM Announces Changes To Portfolios
By: New Zealand Government
Just 1 In 6 Oppose ‘Three Strikes’ - Poll
By: Family First New Zealand
Budget Blunder Shows Nicola Willis Could Cut Recovery Funding
By: New Zealand Labour Party
Urgent Changes To System Through First RMA Amendment Bill
By: New Zealand Government
Global Military Spending Increase Threatens Humanity And The Planet
By: Peace Movement Aotearoa
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media