Ban salutes ‘historic’ UN arms treaty
US: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hailed Tuesday's
adoption of a landmark global arms treaty as a milestone that would help
prevent human rights abuses.
“It is a historic diplomatic achievement - the culmination of
long-held dreams and many years of effort. This is a victory for the
world's people,” Ban said in a statement. “It will be a powerful new
tool in our efforts to prevent grave human rights abuses or violations
of international humanitarian law.
“And it will provide much-needed momentum for other global
disarmament and non-proliferation efforts.” The UN General Assembly
earlier Tuesday adopted the first-ever accord to regulate the
$80-billion-a-year conventional arms trade. It aims to force countries
to set up national controls on arms exports.
States would also have to assess whether a weapon could be used for
genocide, war crimes or by terrorists or organized crime before it is
sold.
AFP
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