TAKE ACTION: Interreligious action for the Arms Trade Treaty

Religious leaders and communities have the potential to play an instrumental role in the success of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). They are frequently the first to recognize and speak up about the devastating impact of irresponsible arms use on communities and the moral duty to regulate the trade of these deadly devices. These communities can be critical in providing education and information about the Treaty and building networks for advocacy and monitoring.

As the world’s governments come together to negotiate an Arms Trade Treaty, it is important that the world’s faith communities also give voice to their concern about the humanitarian suffering caused by irresponsible arms transfers and urge governments to remain mindful of their responsibility to negotiate the strongest possible treaty. The Interfaith Declaration is a sign-on letter created by several member organizations of the Control Arms Coalition.

The Declaration was originally drafted by Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation (SweFOR), Caritas France and CCFD -Terre Solidaire and recently revised by a working group of approximately 15 organizations, who constitute the Interfaith Working Group of the Control Arms Coalition.

Since the launch of the Interfaith Declaration with the Dozen Days of Action (September 21-October 2), the declaration has been signed by more than 298 religious leaders and 77 faith-based organizations located in 44 countries. The declaration will remain available for signature until it is presented to governments ahead of the 2012 treaty negotiations.

Click here for links to read the declaration and take action.