Edinburgh march for a bulletproof Arms Treaty

Students take to the streets to demand 'no compromise' from UK government

Students from around Scotland will take to Edinburgh's streets this Saturday (12 May 2012) to demand the UK government does not compromise during July's Arms Treaty negotiations and commits to championing a treaty which will save hundreds of thousands of lives every year.

The march, organised by Amnesty's Queen Margaret University Student Society, is part of Amnesty Scotland's campaign for a global, comprehensive Arms Treaty.

Molly Robertson, member of QMU's Amnesty Society, said:

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to save the lives of so many people around the world and stop the horrific abuses that go hand in hand with the global Arms. We need everyone in Scotland to use their voices and demand that our government champions a treaty based on human rights. We need everyone to tell David Cameron that this matters to us."

Shabnum Mustapha, Programme Director for Amnesty in Scotland, said:

"It's great to see so many students speaking out about such a incredibly important issue. An effective Arms Treaty will make a life-changing difference to so many people around the world - and here in Scotland.

"It is mind-boggling to think that we have international treaties governing the selling of postage stamps, bananas, and even dinosaur bones. But nothing governing the sale of weapons which are used to kill, maim and devastate the lives of so many people around the world every day.

"We need the UK government to stay true to their word and ensure that a treaty governing the sale and transfer of arms is comprehensive, is enforced and puts human rights at its heart."

The march will begin outside the City of Edinburgh Council's Council Chambers on Edinburgh's Royal Mile at 2pm on Saturday 12 May. It will make its way down the Mile to Holyrood Park where those taking part in the march will undertake a mass action. Along the route, members of the public will be asked to sign a petition calling on David Cameron to commit to championing an effective global Arms Treaty.

• Briefing: Amnesty's  Arms Treaty campaign in Scotland  (PDF)

March details

When: Saturday 12 May at 2pm
Where: Starts at The City of Edinburgh Council's City Chambers on the Royal Mile. The march will make its way down the Mile finishing at 3pm in Holyrood Park.