The text of the arms trade treaty recognizes the legitimate political, security, economic, and commercial purposes of the international trade in conventional arms, as well as the legitimate trade and lawful ownership and use of certain arms for recreational, cultural, historical, and sporting activities. If britain has disregarded the arms trade treaty, then the united states which is a signatory but not a party has been even more dismissive. News china advances plans to join arms trade treaty spurned by trump. The arms trade treaty att is an international treaty that regulates the international trade in conventional arms and seeks to prevent and eradicate illicit trade and diversion of conventional arms by establishing international standards governing arms transfers. The att is premised on an elegantly simple, but farreaching, insight. Arms control treaties overview arms control list of chemical arms control agreements list of weapons of mass destruction treaties treaties 1990 chemical weapons accord 2003 protocol on explosive remnants of war agreement on subregional arms control anglogerman naval agreement antarctic treaty system antiballistic missile treaty arms trade treaty.
Evolution of arms control instruments and potential of the arms trade treaty 355 states andor nonstate actors alongside illegal, black market trade. To find out the status of the treaty, including the number of signatories and parties, any declarations or reservations, and entry into force information, consult the arms trade treaty entry in the status of. The control of arms is essential for the maintenance of international peace and security. Donald trump has announced that the us will withdraw its support for a united nations treaty regulating the multibilliondollar global arms trade addressing the national rifle association nra. On 2 april 20, the general assembly of the united nations unga adopted the arms trade treaty att. We assessed what had gone wrong, refined our approach, and helped bring the us around. The arms trade treaty att is a multilateral treaty to regulate the international trade in conventional arms. In may, president trump sealed the largest arms deal in american history with saudi arabia, helping the state department to set an alltime record for arms sales in the 2017 fiscal year. On 2 april 20, history was made as the arms trade treaty the first agreement to control global arms sales received an overwhelming yes vote at the united nations in new york. The first round of preparatory meetings of the sixth conference of states parties to the arms trade treaty met in geneva, switzerland from 47 february 2020.
The defence industry, investors and the arms trade treaty. Opinion brazils merchants of death the new york times. Time for an arms trade treaty governments are getting closer to a new treaty to regulate weapons exports, but civil society groups have a vital role to play david miliband and bernard kouchner. The united nations arms trade treaty became binding international law in late 2014, and although the text of the treaty is a relatively concise framework for assessing whether to authorize or deny proposed conventional weapons transfers by states parties, there exists controversy as to the meaning of certain key provisions. The arms trade treaty at a glance arms control association. What unsigning the arms trade treaty means for american gun. The first book on the subject in nearly a decade, the international arms trade provides an engaging introduction to the trade, the effects, and the consequences of these weapons. May 05, 2019 instead, the treaty included language in its preamble that treaty parties be mindful of the legitimate trade and lawful ownership, and use of certain conventional arms for recreational. President donald trump shows off a signed document rejecting the u. Us president donald trump has rejected the united nations 20 arms trade treaty aimed at regulating the global arms trade. The arms trade treaty will establish a common international standard for the national regulation of the international trade in conventional arms.
China advances plans to join arms trade treaty spurned by. The arms trade treaty rapture ready dark charisma by matt ward for i am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hooves. This momentous treaty is the culmination of more than ten years of campaigning to rein in the irresponsible trade in arms that causes so much human suffering. Secretary general ban kimoon described the adoption of the arms trade treaty as historic. While the arms trade treaty cannot reverse history, it could prevent the further fueling of conflict if states begin living up to its principles immediately and refuse to supply arms to countries where they are likely to be used to commit atrocities or other serious human rights abuses.
The evolution of arms control instruments and the potential. Permanent representative of australia to the united nations in geneva and ambassador for disarmament. The international trade in conventional arms is a global business and is as old as the history of war. Special event to mark the opening for signature of the arms trade treaty, 3 june 20. In the case of the arms trade treaty, the historic archives include an introductory note by peter woolcott and related videos and photos. Arms trade treaty at the annual meeting of the national rifle association on. The arms trade treaty att is a multilateral treaty that regulates the international trade in conventional weapons it entered into force on 24 december 2014. Yet many campaigners now believe it could do more harm than good. Implications and consequences of the arms trade treaty.
One of the treatys core principles is the respect for the legitimate interests of states to acquire conventional arms to exercise their right to selfdefence and to produce, export, import and transfer conventional arms. Ireland held its second informal consultation for a political declaration on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas on 10 february 2020 in geneva. Time for an arms trade treaty david miliband and bernard. Earlier this month, the uns adoption of an arms trade treaty was celebrated as a historic success by amnesty and oxfam. Arms trade treaty united states department of state. The treaty is blocked from consensus approval by iran, north korea, and syria. The united states was the 91st state to sign the treaty. The arms trade treaty establishes common international standards for the regulation of the international trade in conventional arms, ammunition, parts and components for the purpose of contributing to peace and security, reducing human suffering, and promoting cooperation and transparency.
Therefore, ensuring that arms in private ownership do not enter illicit circuits must be part of the equation for every country. Instead, the treaty included language in its preamble that treaty parties be mindful of the legitimate trade and lawful ownership, and use of certain conventional arms for recreational. On september 25, the united states became the 91st state to sign the treaty. The arms trade treaty is the first legallybinding instrument ever negotiated in the united nations to establish common standards for the international transfer of conventional weapons. Arms trade treaty the swift entry into force of the att would be a clear indication of its signatories willingness and determination to address the poorly regulated international arms trade. In accordance with its article 21, the treaty shall be open for signature at the united nations headquarters in new york by all states from monday, 3 june. Just over eight months later, the worlds first international arms trade treaty was passed. For treaties where the secretarygeneral of the united nations is not the depository, the records in this database rely on information provided to the united nations by the depository states of those treaties. For years, diplomats and arms control specialists argued that the world was awash in weapons due to thriving black markets and unscrupulous arms dealers.
The first round of preparatory meetings of the sixth conference of states parties to the arms trade treaty met in geneva, switzerland from 4. The arms trade treaty 10 list of boxes and tables boxes 2. Where can i find documents related to the arms trade treaty. Oxfam sought an international arms trade treaty att. Nov 11, 2009 time for an arms trade treaty governments are getting closer to a new treaty to regulate weapons exports, but civil society groups have a vital role to play david miliband and bernard kouchner. The arms trade treaty is a multilateral treaty designed to regulate international trade in conventional arms. Apr 26, 2019 donald trump has announced that the us will withdraw its support for a united nations treaty regulating the multibilliondollar global arms trade addressing the national rifle association nra. Speech at the national rifle associations annual meeting, president trump said he would end u. The united nations arms trade treaty became binding international law in late 2014, and although the text of the treaty is a relatively concise framework for assessing whether to authorize or deny proposed conventional weapons transfers by states parties, there exists. Oct 24, 2016 a country that was once famous for its peacekeeping has become a deadly player in the global arms industry. A practical guide to national implementation the arms trade treaty 4 about the authors and contributors stuart caseymaslen is an honorary professor with the faculty of law at the university of pretoria in south africa. Leaving the arms trade treaty would be another shot in. At a disarmament meeting, the united nations assured americans that the arms trade treaty would have no effect on the second amendment.
What unsigning the arms trade treaty means for american. The treaty was adopted by the united nations general assembly on april 2, 20 and opened for signature on june 3, 20. The arms trade treaty was adopted by the general assembly in its resolution 67234b of 2 april 20. Dec 31, 2014 the control of arms is essential for the maintenance of international peace and security. The att promotes transparency in the weapons trade, and is an arms transfers control and a trade agreement based upon the notion that arms transfers should not fuel instability and protracted conflicts around the world. In mid2012, the us walked away from an arms trade treaty in the 11th hour. The authors trace the history of the arms trade and examine how it has evolved since the end of the cold war. Is your state in a position to provide assistance to other states to enable implementation of the provisions of the arms trade treaty.
89 1333 674 244 1501 403 27 1337 289 572 1114 476 806 989 140 826 374 1310 550 91 248 789 138 1154 160 564 873 791 275 1061 809 280 106 1366