The DAP has called on Putrajaya to ratify the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
FMT Reporters | March 29, 2015
IPOH: The DAP has called on Putrajaya to ratify the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
By ratifying the international instruments, party vice-chairman M Kula Segaran said Putrajaya could demonstrate Malaysia’s commitment to international peace, security, stability, humanitarian law and reduction of human suffering.
He wanted the federal government to ratify the ATT before the First Conference of States Parties of the ATT meeting is held in Mexico City at the end of August this year.
He said that key decisions on the future trajectory and implementation of the ATT would take place during the conference.
The ATT was enforced last December and 64 countries have ratified it, but not Malaysia.
“Putrajaya should take the vital step soon to ratify the ATT to enable Malaysia to take part in the Mexico meeting in five months’ time,” said Kula said in a statement.
Similarly, he urged the government to ratify another essential international treaty, the Rome Statute of ICC.
Some 123 countries have ratified the statute, which was enforced 15 years ago, and Kula said it was regrettable and embarrassing that Malaysia had not signed it.
“To this day Malaysia has chosen to remain on the sidelines and remained a non-state party in spite of several undertakings and assertions of commitments to ratify the statute,” chided Kula, the Ipoh Barat MP.
Foreign Ministry Deputy Secretary-General Ho May Yong indicated recently that the ATT was an international legal instrument that established common binding international standards to regulate conventional arms trade.
He said that by regulating the international transfer of arms intended to perpetrate widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws in situations of conflict and armed violence, Malaysia hoped that the ATT would achieve its two purposes, namely to contribute to international peace, security and stability, and reduce human suffering.
He said Malaysia was always sensitive and concerned over the horrendous devastation of armed conflicts and its consequences, especially on civilian populations.
“Putrajaya shall manifest its sensitivity, concern and commitment by concrete actions, not mere words, via prompt ratification of the ATT and the Rome Statute,” insisted Kula.