Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Moore, move:

That the Senate—

  (a)   notes that international trade in arms, when undertaken irresponsibly, or diverted to illicit markets, contributes to unlawful armed violence, violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, acts of genocide and other crimes against humanity, forced displacement, terrorist attacks, patterns of organised and violent crime and corrupt practices;

  (b)   affirms that an effective arms trade treaty would strengthen the rule of law, peace and peace-building processes, human security, poverty reduction initiatives and prospects for sustainable socio-economic development;

  (c)   acknowledges:

     (i)   that a robust arms trade treaty would assist to reduce the extensive loss of human life and livelihoods caused by illegal weapons while at the same time not impeding the operation of the legitimate global arms trade as carried out with full respect for the rule of law and international legal obligations and standards, and

     (ii)   the important role that Australia has played as a co-author of every United Nations resolution on an arms trade treaty since 2006 and can continue to play as a champion of a robust, comprehensive and legally binding instrument;

  (d)   calls on states to adopt a treaty:

     (i)   at the United Nations in July 2012, whereby international transfers of arms will not be authorised if there is a substantial risk that the weapons will be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international human rights law or international humanitarian law, or will seriously impair poverty reduction or socio-economic development,

     (ii)   that covers a comprehensive scope of conventional arms, including ammunition, small arms and light weapons, as well as a wide range of trade activities, including transfers and transhipments, and

     (iii)   that includes mechanisms to ensure full implementation, including transparent reporting, international cooperation, compliance and accountability; and

  (e)   notes the important contribution of non-government organisations, including Amnesty International, Oxfam and the International Committee of the Red Cross, in working towards the achievement of an effective and robust global arms trade treaty.

Question agreed to.