The v ita l

m po n en ts
co m s
of an ar
d e t r ea ty
tra Every day, around 2,000 people worldwide die as a result
of armed violence. The suffering must end. An Arms Trade
Treaty is needed now to stop irresponsible arms transfers from
fuelling poverty, conflict and human rights abuses. It must be
strong. It must be stringent. It must look like this:
The treaty must hold governments to account
It must be based on states’ legal obligations and other responsibilities.
States must ensure no transfer is permitted if there is substantial risk that it:
– will be used to violate UN Charter obligations, including UN arms embargoes
– is likely to be diverted
– will be used: in serious violations of international human rights or humanitarian law;
to commit acts of genocide or crimes against humanity; to facilitate terrorist attacks;
to facilitate a pattern of gender-based violence, violent crime or organised crime;
to adversely affect regional security; to seriously impair poverty reduction or socio-
economic development; in corrupt practices.
Child soldier from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Photo: Sven Torfinn / Panos Pictures The treaty must be all-inclusive
It must include all weapons – including all military, security and police arms, related
equipment and ammunition, components, expertise and production equipment.
It must include all types of transfer – including import, export, re-export, temporary
transfer and transhipment, in the state-sanctioned and commercial trade, plus
transfers of technology, loans, gifts and aid.
And it must include all transactions – including those by dealers/brokers and those
providing technical assistance, training, transport, storage, finance and security.

The treaty must be workable and enforceable

It must provide guidelines for full, clear implementation.
It must ensure transparency – including full annual reports.
It must have an effective mechanism to monitor compliance.
It must ensure accountability – with provisions for adjudication,
dispute settlement and sanctions.
And it must include a comprehensive framework for international
cooperation and assistance.

An unexploded bomb in a family house in Lebanon. For detailed NGO position papers on the Arms Trade Treaty,
Photo: Sean Sutton / MAG
go to www.controlarms.org

July 2009

ansa
international action network on small arms