Take Action Now – Amnesty International USA.
Forwarded by Michael. Note, people from any country can sign this letter.
Right now world leaders are meeting in New York to negotiate the first ever Treaty that will prevent weapons from ending up in the hands of tyrants and child soldiers. But if the $60 billion arms trade industry has its way, the Treaty will be watered down and ineffective.
Detractors, like the NRA, are drawing false connection between the arms trade treaty and the 2nd Amendment to protect the lucrative weapons industry have even taken to the Internet spreading misinformation to stop the treaty.
Don’t let powerful lobbyists stop the US from supporting a strong Arms Trade Treaty.
I call on the United States Government to ensure that the “Golden Rule” on human rights is included in the Arms Trade Treaty. This rule stipulates that arms transfers shall not be permitted where there is a substantial risk the arms are likely to be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international human rights law or international humanitarian law.
Additionally, I urge President Obama to play a leading role in the historic treaty talks, to champion human rights protection and ensure that a broad scope of weapons, all types of arms transfers as well as ammunition are included in the scope of the treaty. These elements are critical to achieving a “bullet proof” treaty that will stop weapons from reaching the wrong hands.
