UN expert says time is ripe for robust arms trade treaty
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Light and heavy weapons collected from disarmed fighters
Negotiations on the first legally-binding Arms Trade Treaty are expected to wrap up on Friday at the United Nations in New York.
A UN independent expert is urging countries to use the opportunity to regulate the small arms trade so that grave human rights violations can be averted.
Special Rapporteur Alfred de Zayas says conventional weapons have threatened world peace as they have fuelled armed conflict around the world.
Charles Appel reports.
Alfred de Zayas is the UN Special Rapporteur, or independent expert, on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order.
In a statement, he welcomed efforts to agree on globally binding rules to control the arms trade.
However, he said the current draft text leaves too much flexibility when it comes to authorizing arms sales between countries.
De Zayas believes more needs to be done so that arms and ammunition are not transferred to countries where there is what he called "substantial risk" that they will be used to violate international human rights law.
The ultimate goal, he says, must be to significantly reduce arms production.
Charles Appel, United Nations
Duration: 43″
