The roles of parliaments in strengthening multi-lateral regimes for non-proliferation of weapons and for disarmament in the light of the new security challenges by Avril Harding
2004-09-08. The roles of parliaments in strengthening multi-lateral regimes for non-proliferation of weapons and for disarmament in the light of the new security challenges.
Unless there were a change in
political and economic outlook, the end result of the growing pressures
of human demands would, according to Edwin Brooks, writing 20 years
ago, result in a ‘crowded, glowering planet of massive inequalities
of wealth buttressed by stark force and endlessly threatened by
desperate people in the global ghettos of the under-privileged.
World military spending has decreased a little since the Cold War Era but the cutbacks are minute in comparison to the political transformation we witnessed in other parts of the world. According to the Bonn International, Centre for Conversion 'To do a little less of the same is the overriding principle of governments' policy'. We should not be altogether surprised; powerful vested interests, lack of imagination and tunnel vision are enough to ensure that as little as possible changes in the world of arms production.
The savings from small cutbacks in military programmes in the west have been mostly absorbed in the states' fiscal jaws and end up financing the unemployment benefits of redundant arms workers. In the Warsaw Pact countries, the massive cuts in military programmes yield no benefits as the social and economic upheaval produces only deficits. Elsewhere in the world, military expenditure grows, as in East Asia where a local arms race is underway or in the Middle East, military expenditure shows little sign of declining.
Among the most worrisome aspects of this build-up is the widespread proliferation of small arms,the weapon of choice in civil wars. At the same time SA has on a number of occasions been fingered as a culprit. One measure long demanded by human rights organisations and other groups is a binding Code of Conduct to ensure that, at the very least, weapons are not exported to governments that fail to hold free elections, that trample human rights or engage in armed aggression. A voluntary code of conduct was adopted by the European Union in June 1998, but it remains to be seen whether the regions governments will live by it or ignore it when the code proves inconvenient. Establishing effective, binding codes in Europe and elsewhere remains a crucial step toward peace.
>In strengthening the role of Parliaments in multilateral forums, we have to first look at our defence policy, aligning where necessary and giving effect to the signing and ratification of various non-proliferation treaties to which South Africa is part of.
>South Africa, via the Chairperson of the Peace and Security of the African Union must put the issue of disarmament high on the agenda especially in conflict areas such as DRC, Sudan, and Eritrea etc.
>The Pan African Parliament and SADC regional Parliament should play an effective oversight role in monitoring hotspots on the Continent and enforcing provisions.
>There should be more engagement with agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Association via Foreign Affairs and Defence Committees.
>Must strategically use organizations such as Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) to encourage member countries who have not signed anti proliferation treaties and agreements to do so.
In conclusion, SA should actively help to internationalise the Biological and Toxins Convention. All parliaments must use their influence to give expression to concerns of their citizens and build momentum for compliance measures at the sixth Review of the Biologic and Toxins Convention in 2006.
I thank you.
World military spending has decreased a little since the Cold War Era but the cutbacks are minute in comparison to the political transformation we witnessed in other parts of the world. According to the Bonn International, Centre for Conversion 'To do a little less of the same is the overriding principle of governments' policy'. We should not be altogether surprised; powerful vested interests, lack of imagination and tunnel vision are enough to ensure that as little as possible changes in the world of arms production.
The savings from small cutbacks in military programmes in the west have been mostly absorbed in the states' fiscal jaws and end up financing the unemployment benefits of redundant arms workers. In the Warsaw Pact countries, the massive cuts in military programmes yield no benefits as the social and economic upheaval produces only deficits. Elsewhere in the world, military expenditure grows, as in East Asia where a local arms race is underway or in the Middle East, military expenditure shows little sign of declining.
Among the most worrisome aspects of this build-up is the widespread proliferation of small arms,the weapon of choice in civil wars. At the same time SA has on a number of occasions been fingered as a culprit. One measure long demanded by human rights organisations and other groups is a binding Code of Conduct to ensure that, at the very least, weapons are not exported to governments that fail to hold free elections, that trample human rights or engage in armed aggression. A voluntary code of conduct was adopted by the European Union in June 1998, but it remains to be seen whether the regions governments will live by it or ignore it when the code proves inconvenient. Establishing effective, binding codes in Europe and elsewhere remains a crucial step toward peace.
>In strengthening the role of Parliaments in multilateral forums, we have to first look at our defence policy, aligning where necessary and giving effect to the signing and ratification of various non-proliferation treaties to which South Africa is part of.
>South Africa, via the Chairperson of the Peace and Security of the African Union must put the issue of disarmament high on the agenda especially in conflict areas such as DRC, Sudan, and Eritrea etc.
>The Pan African Parliament and SADC regional Parliament should play an effective oversight role in monitoring hotspots on the Continent and enforcing provisions.
>There should be more engagement with agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Association via Foreign Affairs and Defence Committees.
>Must strategically use organizations such as Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) to encourage member countries who have not signed anti proliferation treaties and agreements to do so.
In conclusion, SA should actively help to internationalise the Biological and Toxins Convention. All parliaments must use their influence to give expression to concerns of their citizens and build momentum for compliance measures at the sixth Review of the Biologic and Toxins Convention in 2006.
I thank you.
