UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Global rights and aid groups, ahead of U.N. debate on the subject, seek a clampdown on globalization of arms industries they say contribute to rights abuses.
The "Arms Without Borders" report was issued by the umbrella Control Arms Campaign, whose members include Oxfam International, Amnesty International and International Action Network on Small Arms. Its release coincided with the beginning of U.N. debate on an arms trade treaty.
The report claims some U.S., European and Canadian companies are circumventing arms regulations by selling weapon components and subcontracting arms manufacturing overseas, which are ending up being used in fighting in such places as Colombia, Sudan and Uzbekistan.
"Europe and North America are fast becoming the IKEA of the arms industry, supplying parts for human rights abusers to assemble at home, with the morals not included," said Jeremy Hobbs, director of Oxfam International. "Arms companies are global, yet arms regulations are not, and the result is the arming of abusive regimes."
