by
chrisglos
@ Friday, 17. Nov, 2006 - 15:29:22
I was reminded yesterday about something which, erm, reminded me of Good Deed Friday.
So, why not take 1 minute to click each of the following links and by clicking on the coloured tab you can ensure that foodstuffs, books, or care is donated to each of the groups. And it costs nothing to you:
The Hunger Site
The Animal Rescue Site
The Literacy Site
The Rainforest Site
_________________________________
And as if that wasnt enough of a good deed, I received an email back from the Oxfam Control Arms campaign. Apparently, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office asked that it was forwarded on to ME!! From Margaret Beckett!! Actually, they probably just said to everyone who signed up. Still, it felt impressive and samaritan-like for a few moments.
If you are at all interested, here is the response from the government:
"Dear Chris
Last month we wrote to let you know about a massive victory at the UN General Assembly meeting where governments voted in favour of a UN resolution to start work towards an international Arms Trade Treaty.
Thanks to the pressure that you helped to put on the governments co-authoring the resolution, the final text included references to human rights and to international law.
Below is a response to the email you sent to Margaret Beckett, which the Foreign and Commonwealth Office requested we send to you.
"Thank you for your recent email expressing support for our efforts to secure agreement to a resolution for a UN based process to take forward work towards an Arms Trade Treaty. As you will know, the United Kingdom has been leading calls for an ATT to end the irresponsible trade in arms world-wide. We believe that such a treaty should be legally binding, cover the trade in all conventional arms, set clear standards for when an arms transfer should not take place, including respect for human rights, and have an effective monitoring and enforcement mechanism.
In the run up to the UN First Committee we worked with partners to build support and further refine the draft resolution. This included the addition of a clear reference to international human rights law. We secured the support of 115 co-sponsors - countries firmly committed to an ATT - and on 26 October the First Committee adopted the resolution by a large majority (139 votes for, with 24 abstentions, and 1 no vote). This is an important first step which we would not have reached without the support of the many non-governmental organisations and individuals, throughout the world, like yourself, who have done so much to put this issue on the international agenda.
We have always said this is an ambitious idea and it will mean much hard work in the next few years. It will also mean keeping other countries on board as discussions move ahead, including those countries who still harbour doubts about the initiative. Ultimately our aim is a treaty with broad support and participation by all the major arms exporters. This is why time is needed, for further support to be built, and for the UN Secretary General to seek views on the initiative before the Group of Governmental experts meets in 2008. The British government will remain committed to securing this treaty because we believe it will make a meaningful difference to those millions of people who suffer from the consequences of irresponsible arms trading."
Margaret Beckett
Foreign Secretary"
