23 July 2014

Cambodian Workshop successful, says Labour MP/PGA President

Labour’s Associate Disarmament Spokesperson and Parliamentians for Global Action (PGA) President Ross Robertson is pleased with the successful outcome of the Asia Pacific Regional Parliamentary Workshop held last week in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to promote signature and ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

“More than 2,100 MPs from 114 countries including 89 from New Zealand have signed a declaration in favour of the treaty, and to date 118 countries have signed and 41 have ratified. We need 50 countries to ratify before the Treaty enters into force, and I believe New Zealand will ratify before the end of this year,” said Ross Robertson.

“Since World War 2 over forty million people have died in wars, but it is difficult to fight a war without weapons – that is why the ATT is so vitally important.

“At the Workshop a draft plan of action was unanimously agreed upon, recognising the important role that Members of Parliament can play in promoting signature and ratification of the ATT,” he said.

“Members from New Zealand, Cambodia, Pakistan, Tonga, Laos, Nepal, Bangladesh and Malaysia agreed to continue to advocate for and work towards signature and ratification, together with their colleagues in the executive branch of government in their respective countries.

“We are determined to improve the security and basic welfare of all our peoples, and to this end those members from countries which have already signed and ratified the ATT agreed to reach out to other countries in their respective regions to encourage and facilitate the same course of action.”

“The Members of Parliament from the Asia Pacific region also undertook to report back to the organisers of the Workshop on the steps taken pursuant to the agreed Plan of Action,” said Ross Robertson.

ENDS

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