Moratorium on the production and trade of weapons

Early day motion 984, tabled 8 October 2020 by Olivia Blake (Labour). Signed by 17 members.

That this House recognises that Article 26 of the Charter of the United Nations, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this month, seeks to promote the establishment and maintenance of international peace and security with the least diversion for armaments of the world’s human and economic resources; notes the destabilisation and disruption arising from the covid-19 pandemic; recognises that peace and security, development and human rights are pillars of the United Nations system and the foundations for collective security; recognises that the catastrophic consequences of the use of nuclear weapons cannot be adequately addressed because they transcend national borders, pose grave implications for human survival, the environment, socio-economic development, the global economy, food security and the health of current and future generations; recognises that military modernisation, procurement and spending budgets of States are vastly disproportionate to contemporary sources of national and human insecurity; believes in the necessity to sustain and strengthen existing weapons control agreements and treaties, one aim of which should be nuclear disarmament; acknowledges that a moratorium on production and trade of weapons should not hamper international co-operation and legitimate trade in equipment and technology for peaceful purposes; recognises the voluntary and active role that civil society, including non-governmental organisations and industry can play in supporting the object and purpose of a moratorium, and in supporting its implementation; and recognises the desirability of achieving universal adherence to such a moratorium.

Signatures by party: Labour 8, Independent 3, Plaid Cymru 3, DUP 1, Green 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.