1. 1,500 people are killed every day by conflict and armed
violence
Deaths resulting from war, armed homicides, extra-judicial
executions and excessive use of force by state security forces amount to over
500,000 per year or 1,500 per day.
2. There’s more international laws regulating the trade of bananas
than weapons
Legal loopholes in the laws governing the trade of weapons
enable states and corporations to sell guns, bullets and teargas to dictators
and tyrants, who've then used them to kill and injure civilians. Weapons are
often traded irresponsibly between countries, with little consideration of
whether they’ll be used to commit human rights abuses.
3. 12 billion bullets are produced every year
That’s almost enough to kill everyone in the world twice.
There’s an estimated 875 million guns in the world right now, and about 8
million ‘light
weapons’ (such as heavy machine guns) are produced each year.
4. Over 26 million people have been forced to flee their homes
Millions of people have been forced to flee their homes in fear
of their lives due to armed conflict. This often pushes people further into
poverty by restricting access to clean water and shelter, while increasing the
likelihood of deadly diseases.
5. Child soldiers are being used in armed conflict in 19 countries
Tens of thousands of children are being used right now by
governments in their armed forces and by non-state armed groups. These children
are often armed using weapons irresponsibly traded by governments and private
corporations.
6. For every death, there’s up to 28 serious injuries
It’s difficult to estimate exactly how many people are injured
in armed conflict, past statistics indicate that as many as 28 people are
injured for every person killed by weapons on battlefields.
7. Damage caused by weapons destroys infrastructure and
perpetuates poverty
As well as killing and harming people, weapons such as missiles
destroy vital infrastructure that people rely on in their daily lives -- such
as access to food, water and shelter. This can push survivors into poverty.
8. 74 per cent of the world’s weapons are supplied by just six
countries
In 2010, almost 3/4 of the world’s weapons have been supplied by
six of the world’s most powerful countries: USA (34.84%), Russia(14.86%), Germany (7.43%), United
Kingdom (6.57%), China (6.29%), and France (4%). All but Germany are the five
permanent members of the UN Security Council. By allowing the trading of
weapons which are then used to commit or facilitate human rights abuses, these
governments are permitting their use for repression, conflict, violence, and
other human rights violations.
9. Systematic rape of women and girls can occur through the use of
weapons
In conflict regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo,
Cote d’Ivore, and Sierra Leone, the scale of rape and sexual violence is
staggeringly high. Many women and girls have been forced into sexual slavery by
fighters, and many are raped at gunpoint. Women and girls are often the
forgotten victims of armed conflict.
10. A strong Arms Trade Treaty could save hundreds of thousands of
lives every year
In July this year, world leaders will come together to decide on
whether to agree to legally binding international standards regulating the
trade of arms between countries. This is a historic opportunity, one too
important for governments to play politics with. We’re using this opportunity
to call for a treaty that:
