Vatican diplomat weighs in on Arms Trade Treaty

February 17, 2012

As diplomats at the United Nations discussed a treaty that would regulate international trade in weapons, Archbishop Francis Chullikatt said that “the quest for a world more respectful of the dignity of human person and the value of human life must be the founding principle of the ATT [Arms Trade Treaty].”

“The Holy See shares the view that the principal objective of the treaty should not be merely the regulation of the conventional arms trade but should be, above all, the disarming of the international illicit market,” he said. “Arms cannot simply be compared with other goods exchanged in global or domestic markets.”

“The Holy See is convinced that the Arms Trade Treaty can provide an important contribution to the promotion of a true culture of peace through responsible cooperation between states, in partnership with the arms industry and in solidarity with civil society,” he added. “Viewed in this light, current efforts to adopt a strong and effective ATT could represent a meaningful sign of the political will of nations and governments to ensure peace, justice, stability and prosperity in the world.”

 

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Further information:

• Intervention of Archbishop Chullikatt on Arms Trade Treaty (Vatican Radio)
• UN officials call for comprehensive arms trade treaty to improve civilian safety (UN News Centre)
• Civil Society Pushing for Arms Trade Treaty (Voice of America)