TAKE ACTION FOR INDIA - No arms for atrocities - Call on India to put human rights first.

India has a unique and historic opportunity to help reduce the human suffering and instability caused by the reckless and poorly regulated trade in weapons, munitions and military and security equipment.

In July 2012, India along with other States will gather at the UN for the final round of negotiations on an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). India must ensure the treaty has a “Golden Rule” to help protect human rights. This rule should require States to employ a rigorous, objective, case-by-case risk assessment of a proposed transfer or sale of arms. Such assessments should ensure that these arms will not be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. An ATT without the Golden Rule will be meaningless. The treaty must also cover all conventional arms, all types of trade, transfers and transactions and have strong implementation mechanisms.

Disturbingly, global society has no treaty to ensure the strict control of the international trade in conventional arms. That's why governments can easily license irresponsible arms flows to fuel human atrocities and abuse.

India’s citizens have suffered repeated armed attacks and India has stated that its security interests have been “affected by illicit and irresponsible transfers, especially of small arms, light weapons and explosives.”

By signing up to a “Golden Rule” in the Arms Trade Treaty, India will show that it is truly committed to ensuring the security of its own citizens and that of the world.

Please sign this petition to the Indian Minister of External Affairs S.M. Krishna urging India to support the “Golden Rule”:

http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/India-Arms-Trade-Treaty