Mizzima News

As the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly convenes in New York, Amnesty International has released a detailed account as to why it is imperative that the countries of the world come together now to enact an Arms Trade Treaty.

The study, Blood at the Crossroads: Making the case for a global arms trade treaty, draws heavily on nine case studies to drive home the immediacy of the issue, including the case of Burma.

"Under such a treaty, all States would be required to suspend arms transfers to governments such as the Myanmar [Burma] government until concrete independently verified steps are taken to demonstrate that there is no substantial risk of using armed force to facilitate serious human rights violations," concluded the report following a look at the recent history of arms transfers between member states of the United Nations and Burma.

China is stipulated to be the biggest arms supplier of the junta, followed by India. Among ASEAN nations accused of contributing to the dire human rights situation inside Burma, Singapore is singled out for its reported role in assisting in the construction of "a purpose-built factory to manufacture assault rifles and ammunition."

Other countries named for their military relations with Burma are Russia, Serbia and Ukraine.

Amnesty International goes on to suggest that certain "safeguards" should be implemented to ensure that arms transfers and sales are not to be used in the violation of human rights.

In the case of Burma, the global rights organization points out that one such "safeguard" should be that the recipient country holds no prisoners of conscience.

Last September's violent crackdown on monk-led protests and continuing rights violations against democracy activists across Burma, argues Amnesty International, is yet one additional clear indication of the importance in signing a pact such as an ATT.

"The time for an Arms Trade Treaty is now. Sixty years after the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the same governments can and should deliver an effective agreement on international arms transfers with human rights at its heart." Brian Wood, Amnesty International's arms control manager, is quoted as saying.

However, the study is not solely critical of the practices of commonly perceived allies of the Burmese regime, but also singles out other major world powers – including the United States – for their roles in the supplying of weapons to external authorities who then use the arms to commit human rights violations.

The United States, China and Russia have all already voiced concerns over the proposed treaty.