Enough Is Enough: Oxfam Calls For Real International Action on Small Arms at Conference

Posted: 7 July 2003

For more information, contact:
Adrienne Leicester Smith
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asmith@oxfamamerica.org

NEW YORK, NY (June 7, 2003) - On the opening day of the UN Conference on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Oxfam calls on all nations to take action to stop the illicit worldwide trade in small arms, especially the permanent members of the UN Security Council, USA, Britain, China, Russia and France.

The conference begins this week as US President George W. Bush tours Western and Southern Africa, regions where some of the nations most affected by the unchecked flow of small arms suffer the consequences of gun violence everyday. Internal conflicts in Liberia and DRC alone, wars fueled by the illicit transfer of small arms, have lead to the deaths of millions of civilians.

"Over one million people have lost their lives in incidents involving these weapons since the last UN conference on small arms in 2001," said Oxfam's Nicola Reindorp. "The international community must act now to stop the trade in small arms before the death toll rises even further."

In the aftermath of September 11, some developed countries have relaxed export policies to arm countries deemed to be friends, regardless of their human rights record. This comes at the time when it is more critical than ever for states to uphold the principles of international law in order to increase regional stability, and prevent arms being used to commit human rights abuses.

"The illicit trade in small arms stymies development, deepening poverty by fueling conflict," said Reindorp. "Civilians around the world need more than what the program of action can provide. They need all governments to agree to binding international standards for arms transfers."

"This conference is the ideal moment for nations, especially the UNSC permanent members, to address a problem that makes the world's poorest nations and people worse off and more insecure with each passing year," Reindorp stated.

Oxfam has been working in conflict zones around the world for over sixty years, providing water and sanitation and emergency assistance in wars ranging from Kosovo to Afghanistan. We are currently providing assistance in the DRC, Liberia, Iraq and many other conflict zones. Oxfam staff and partners have witnessed firsthand, again and again, the destruction caused by the proliferation of small arms at the community level. The high level of small arms affects those most vulnerable in the community, impedes agricultural and economic development and hinders the process of reconstruction.