The Indian bishops’ office for justice and peace is calling the country’s leaders to sign the Arms Trade Treaty for the responsible trade and use of weapons.

“India, which believes in non-violence, is yet to sign” a timetable to establish the treaty, says commission secretary Capuchin Father Nithiya Sagayam.

“One way of influencing the policy makers and parliamentarians could be through the involvement of the youth,” he wrote in a Jan. 22 letter to people and organizations working for peace and disarmament in India.

Nobel Peace laureates and peace activists launched the campaign in 2003.

They say too little is done to restrict trade in conventional weapons despite the misery and poverty they often cause.

The UN general assembly ga in 2006 passed a resolution setting the process for the treaty in motion.

Finally in October last year, a majority of governments – 153 in all – voted to agree to a timetable to establish a “strong and robust” arms trade treaty.

India and Pakistan, the only nuclear-power nations in South Asia, were among 19 nations that abstained.

Father Sagayam says “taxpayers’ money goes to make weapons while the basic rights of the people are not yet met.” Every third person in India lives below the poverty line, he said “but our defense budget is huge. The focus on peace and human rights is not only essential but also urgent.”

The commission has also contacted around 2,000 colleges in India. The letter seeks to widen the network of advocates for the treaty by sharing the information and contact details of people interested in peace and disarmament.

Source:  Church leads campaign for arms trade treaty (UCAN)

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