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UN to decide on new arms treaty UN initiates arms trade treaty
(about 3 hours later)
The UN General Assembly is due to vote later in the day on whether to set up an international arms trade treaty. A committee of the UN General Assembly has voted to begin work on an international arms trade treaty.
A total of 139 states voted for the motion, with one against and 24 abstentions.
The treaty would close loopholes in the existing laws which mean guns still end up in conflict zones despite arms embargoes and export controls.The treaty would close loopholes in the existing laws which mean guns still end up in conflict zones despite arms embargoes and export controls.
Nobel peace prize winners, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, have backed the idea of such a treaty.Nobel peace prize winners, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, have backed the idea of such a treaty.
More than 100 countries are calling for work to begin on the new treaty.
A treaty setting international standards for arms deals could block weapons sales that supply an on-going war or violate a UN arms ban or undermine a country's development because it spends so much of its money on guns.A treaty setting international standards for arms deals could block weapons sales that supply an on-going war or violate a UN arms ban or undermine a country's development because it spends so much of its money on guns.
Suppliers clubSuppliers club
Existing export controls often do not work because arms manufacturers that have their headquarters in one country make the parts in different places where the controls are less strict.Existing export controls often do not work because arms manufacturers that have their headquarters in one country make the parts in different places where the controls are less strict.
Some developing countries fear a treaty will just create a cartel or a suppliers' club for the major weapons exporters.Some developing countries fear a treaty will just create a cartel or a suppliers' club for the major weapons exporters.
Britain, a big manufacturer of arms, is backing the treaty, saying it is time to set responsible international standards.Britain, a big manufacturer of arms, is backing the treaty, saying it is time to set responsible international standards.
It is not clear how Russia, China and the US, also major exporters of arms, will vote.It is not clear how Russia, China and the US, also major exporters of arms, will vote.