Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers blog

“What can we do to stop arms dealing to countries that use weapons against their own people?“

The final week of the Yahoo! Answers Challenge is upon us and to round off the campaign we have the Space Cowboy Jay Kay, asking a question in the Politics and Government category.

Jay Kay? In Politics and Government? Surely he is a musician? Indeed Jay Kay has spent the last 15 years of his life making music in the band Jamiroquai. However he was keen to ask a question on an issue that is affecting many people around the world in countries with unscrupulous governments who often do not have a voice to ask this question themselves.Where are these arms produced and who are the biggest arms dealers in the world? In 2005, Russia, USA, Germany, UK and France controlled 82% of the market. This is quite shocking given that four of these countries are permanent UN members.

The sales of arms to countries with dubious human rights records is supposedly controlled with embargoes, however with the globalization of the arms industry loopholes allow weapons to get through. The use of these weapons on civilians causes human rights violations, death and misery for millions of people.

So how can we make a difference? Later this month, the UN will vote on a resolution towards creating a stronger Arms Trade Treaty. One way you can take action and make a difference is to send a message to the foreign ministers of countries that facilitate the distribution of arms to embargoed countries.

By following this link you can voice your support for the treaty by sending a message to these ministers with just one click of your mouse…

Maybe you have other ideas that can make a difference? If so, we want to hear them, and so does Jay Kay.

In the meantime, if you are a fan of Jay Kay’s music, check out his back catalogue on Yahoo! Music.

–Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers team