DOCSLIB.ORG

2013 Arms Trade Treaty

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
2013 Arms Trade Treaty ADVISORY SERVICE ON INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW ____________________________________ 2013 Arms Trade Treaty The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) regulates international transfers of conventional arms, as well as their ammunition, parts and components, with a view to reducing human suffering. The ATT makes arms transfer decisions subject to humanitarian concerns by forbidding transfers when there is a defined level of risk that war crimes or serious violations of international human rights law will be committed. The ATT was adopted on 2 April 2013 and opened for signature on 3 June 2013. It will enter into force when 50 States have adhered to it. What is the object and purpose of the treaty (Article 4). Only the core components are also prohibited if the ATT? obligations of the ATT (found in the State Party has knowledge at Articles 6 and 7 on transfer the time of authorization that the prohibitions and export criteria arms or items would be used in the The object of the ATT is to establish respectively) apply to commission of genocide, crimes the highest possible common ammunition/munitions and parts and against humanity, grave breaches of international standards for regulating components. the four Geneva Conventions, the international trade in attacks directed against civilian conventional arms, to prevent and objects or civilians protected as eradicate the illicit trade in To what transactions does the such, or other war crimes as defined conventional arms, and to prevent ATT apply? by international agreements to the diversion of such arms. This, in which it is a Party (Article 6(3)). turn, is for the purpose of contributing to regional and The ATT applies to the activities of For instance, if an ATT State Party international peace, security and the international trade comprising were also party to the Statute of the stability, reducing human suffering, export, import, transit, trans- International Criminal Court or to and promoting cooperation, shipment and brokering, which are Protocol I of 8 June 1977 additional transparency and responsible action referred to in the treaty as 'transfer' to the Geneva Conventions, it would by States Parties (Article 1). (Article 2(2)). be required to take into consideration a wider range of war crimes than an ATT State Party that To what arms does the ATT What arms transfer criteria does is not party to these instruments. apply? the ATT impose? It applies, at a minimum, to the A. Transfer prohibitions B. Criteria for export following categories of conventional It prohibits transfers of arms, If an export has not been prohibited arms: battle tanks, armoured ammunition/munitions and parts and under Article 6, then each State combat vehicles, large-calibre components where the transfer Party must assess whether the artillery systems, combat aircraft, would violate obligations in arms, ammunition/munitions or parts attack helicopters, warships, measures adopted under Chapter and components would contribute to missiles and missile launchers and VII of the Charter of the United or undermine peace and security, small arms and light weapons Nations, "in particular arms and whether there is a “potential” (Article 2(1)). States are encouraged embargoes" (Article 6(1)). The ATT that they could be used to commit or to voluntarily apply the treaty to an also prohibits transfers of such facilitate a serious violation of even broader range of conventional weapons and items where the international humanitarian law, a arms (Article 5(3)). transfer would violate a State Party's serious violation of international The ATT also partly applies to "relevant international obligations human rights law, an act constituting ammunition/munitions that are fired, under international agreements to an offence under international launched, or delivered by the which it is a Party, in particular those instruments relating to terrorism to conventional arms covered in the relating to the transfer of, or illicit which the State is a Party, or an act treaty (Article 3), and to the parts trafficking in, conventional arms" constituting an offence under and components that are in a form (Article 6(2)). international instruments relating to transnational organized crime to that makes it possible to assemble Transfers of arms, the conventional arms covered in ammunition/munitions and parts and which the State is a Party (Article taking measures to regulate the requires that the records be kept for 7(1)). export, import, transit, trans- at least 10 years (Article 12). shipment of, and brokering activities In this assessment, each State Party States Parties must also report on related to, conventional arms, and to must also take into account the risk the implementation measures they regulate the exports of related of the conventional arms or items have undertaken. A State Party ammunition and parts and being used to commit or facilitate must submit, within a year after the components (Articles 5(2), 8, 9 and serious acts of gender-based treaty’s entry into force, an initial 10). violence or serious acts of violence report on implementation measures against women and children (Article As part of its national control (such as national laws, control lists 7(4)). system, each State Party must and administrative measures). After establish and maintain a national that, States must report on any new With regard to the consequences control list of the weapons and items implementation measures identified in Article 7(1), the State covered. This list will be made undertaken "when appropriate." Party must also consider whether available to other States Parties States Parties must also report there are risk mitigation measures (Article 5(2) and (4)). annually on authorized or actual that could be undertaken (Article exports and imports of conventional 7(2)). In addition, so as to have an arms (but not of effective and transparent control If, after conducting this assessment ammunition/munitions or parts and system, each State Party must and considering available mitigating components). All reports will be designate competent national measures, the exporting State Party shared with other States Parties authorities (Article 5(5)). States determines that there is an (Article 13). Parties must also designate one or overriding risk of any of the adverse more national points of contact to A conference of States Parties must consequences in Article 7(1), it must exchange information on matters be convened no later than one year not authorize the export (Article related to the treaty's after the ATT’s entry into force. The 7(3)). implementation (Article 5(6)). conference will, among other things, It is important to note that the treaty review the implementation of the The ATT gives each State Party the encourages a State Party to treaty, and consider amendments to discretion to determine the form, reassess its authorization if it it as well as issues related to its structure and legislative becomes aware of relevant new interpretation (Article 17). underpinning of its national control information (Article 7(7)). system. In practice, implementation As Article 7 relates only to exports, will require a series of legislative, What support is available for the activities of import, transit, trans- administrative and practical adherence and implementation? shipment and brokering are not measures, and an assessment of subject to such an assessment or to whether new measures are any of the criteria set out in this necessary to comply with ATT The status of signatures and provision. obligations. For instance, States will ratifications is available online: need to ensure that their domestic http://www.un.org/disarmament/ATT laws include ATT-compliant /. The United Nations has published What must States do to become administrative and criminal penalties a ratification guide describing the party to the ATT? as well as implementing regulations. procedures that States must follow States will need to ensure that they in order to sign, ratify, accept, To become a party to the ATT, a have an ATT-compliant licensing approve, or accede to the ATT. The State must adhere to it and the process and authorities with the guide also contains model treaty must then enter into force for required technical expertise. instruments of adherence for States that State. For the first 50 States to deposit with the Secretary- that ratify, accept or approve it, the An exporting State Party must seek General of the United Nations. The ATT will enter into force 90 days to prevent diversion of the guide is available in English, French after the deposit of the 50th conventional arms it has transferred. and Spanish on the same website. instrument of ratification, States involved in export, transit, The ICRC is ready to assist States acceptance, or approval. For any trans-shipment, and import must in implementing the Treaty, within State that submits its instrument of cooperate and exchange information the limits of its mandate and ratification, acceptance, approval or in order to mitigate the risk of expertise in international accession after this moment, the diversion of conventional arms humanitarian law. It will do so ATT will enter into force 90 days covered under the ATT. States through its Advisory Service on after the date of submission (Article Parties must take appropriate International Humanitarian Law, 22). measures to address such diversion if detected, and are encouraged to which can provide guidance to share information on effective governments on incorporating the What must States do to ATT’s requirements in domestic implement the ATT? measures taken to address diversion of transferred conventional legislation. The ICRC has also put arms (Article 11). out publications to assist States in Each State Party must implement understanding the treaty's the ATT in a consistent, objective States Parties must maintain requirements and in adopting and non-discriminatory manner, national records of export effective implementation measures. bearing in mind the principles authorizations or actual exports of referred to in the treaty (Article 5(1)).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Understanding the Arms Trade Treaty
    UNDERSTANDING THE ARMS TRADE TREATY FROM A HUMANITARIAN PERSPECTIVE International Committee of the Red Cross 19, avenue de la Paix 1202 Geneva, Switzerland T +41 22 734 60 01 F +41 22 733 20 57 E-mail: [email protected] www.icrc.org © ICRC, September 2016 UNDERSTANDING THE ARMS TRADE TREATY FROM A HUMANITARIAN PERSPECTIVE 2 UNDERSTANDING THE ARMS TRADE TREATY TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 4 2. REDUCING HUMAN SUFFERING THROUGH RESPONSIBLE ARMS TRANSFERS: THE ROAD TO THE ARMS TRADE TREATY 7 2.1 Responsible arms transfers as a humanitarian imperative 8 2.2 The Arms Trade Treaty process 10 2.3 Responsible arms transfers outside of the ATT 11 2.4 Faithfully implementing the ATT 13 3. THE ARMS TRADE TREATY: OVERVIEW OF KEY PROVISIONS 17 3.1 The scope of the ATT 19 3.1.1 Weapons and items covered by the Treaty - Articles 2 (1), 3, 4, 5 (2) and 5 (3) 19 3.1.2 Transfers covered by the Treaty – Article 2 (2) and 2 (3) 23 3.2 The Treaty’s core obligations 24 3.2.1 Transfer prohibitions – Article 6 25 3.2.2 Export assessments – Article 7 34 3.3 Obligations relating to import, transit or trans-shipment, and brokering – Articles 8, 9, 10 40 3.4 Preventing diversion – Article 11 43 3.5 Ensuring implementation and compliance 46 3.5.1 National control system and national enforcement – Articles 5, 12 and 14 48 3.5.2 Transparency, international cooperation and assistance and confidence-building – Articles 13, 15, 16 and 17 50 UNDERSTANDING THE ARMS TRADE TREATY 3 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Number 31 January 2018
    Number 31 January 2018 www.facebook.com/odaunrec www.twitter.com/odaunrec UNREC NEWS UNREC supports the mainstreaming of gender perspectives in preventing the acquisition of arms by terrorist groups in the Lake Chad Basin, 18-20 December 2017 Lomé, Togo Organized by UNREC, this capacity building workshop brought together representatives from four lake chad basin countries, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, and experts from the civil society. Participants were trained on several themes that emphasized the relevance of the involvement of women in the fight against the proliferation of arms and ammunition. The workshop is the main activity of the project: “Mainstreaming Gender Perspectives in Prevent- ing the Acquisition of Arms and Ammunitions by Terrorists Groups in the Lake Chad Basin". For more information: www.goo.gl/zRL2EV Physical Security and Stockpile Management Project in the Sahel (PSSM): Senior Policy and Technical Workshops, 12-15 December 2017, Abuja, Nigeria, 24 – 27 October, N'Djamena, Chad A policy workshop for senior government officials, and a technical workshop for experts and practitioners directly responsible for PSSM in Ni- geria and Chad these respective countries. These workshops brought together participants from the Ministries of Defense, Interior, Justice, Environ- ment, and the National Assembly. Other partici- pating state agencies included the Military, Police, National Guard, Gendarmerie and Customs services. The aim was to define PSSM norms for each country in conformity with the International Small Arms Control Standards (ISASCs) and International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATGs).For more information:www.goo.gl/vSCFWb SEASON’S GREETINGS The team of the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) wishes you a Happy New Year 2018.
    [Show full text]
  • THE HUMAN COST of UNCONTROLLED ARMS in AFRICA Cross-National Research on Seven African Countries
    OXFAM RESEARCH REPORTS MARCH 2017 Photo: Sven Torfinn/Oxfam THE HUMAN COST OF UNCONTROLLED ARMS IN AFRICA Cross-national research on seven African countries ADESOJI ADENIYI, Ph.D. Prolonged conflict, proxy wars, and inter-communal strife characterize many regions in Africa. This violence has caused untold atrocities, deaths, sexual violence, and displacement, as well as accelerating poverty and shattering lives and communities across the continent. Uncontrolled arms in Africa fuel this violence and are increasingly putting lives at immense risk. This report provides evidence about the human costs of uncontrolled arms: injuries and fatalities, internally displaced people and refugees, gender-based violence, and erosion of social cohesion and communal trust. Covering Mali, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Libya, it provides arms control recommendations to African states, the African Union and Regional Economic Communities, donor communities, and the private sector. www.oxfam.org CONTENTS Executive summary 3 1 Introduction 6 2 Uncontrolled arms in Africa 11 3 The human cost of uncontrolled arms in Africa 18 4 Combating uncontrolled arms in Africa: The relevance of the ATT 25 5 Conclusion 28 2 The Human Cost of Uncontrolled Arms in Africa EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The question of uncontrolled arms, their illicit acquisition and their transfer is a recurring security dilemma in Africa. The concentration of most of Africa’s estimated 100 million uncontrolled small arms and light weapons (SALW) in crisis zones and other security-challenged environments often exacerbates and elongates conflicts. This brings devastating costs to individuals, families, and communities who experience displacement, erosion of social cohesion and trust, gender based violence (GBV), injuries and fatalities.
    [Show full text]
  • SOUTH AFRICA Tel (212) 213-5583 Fax (212) 692-2498 to the UNITED NATIONS E-Ma11 Prnun@Southafnca-Newyork Net
    333 East 38th Street THE PERMANENT MISSION OF 9th Floor New York. NY 10016 SOUTH AFRICA Tel (212) 213-5583 Fax (212) 692-2498 TO THE UNITED NATIONS E-ma11 prnun@southafnca-newyork net STATEMENT BY MR. JOHANN KELLERMAN DIRECTOR: DISARMAMENT AND NON-PROLIFERATION DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON THE ARMS TRADE TREATY UNITED NATIONS NEW YORK 05 JULY 2012 Check against delivery Mr President, At the outset, allow me to congratulate you and the members of your Bureau upon your appointment to lead us through this United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty (AT). We continue to have the greatest confidence in your experience and well- demonstrated diplomatic skills that guided us through the Preparatory Committee Process, to lead us to the successful conclusion of a strong and robust Treaty to regulate the global trade in conventional arms. My delegation wishes to associate itself with the statement delivered earlier by Nigeria on behalf of the African Group. Mr President, South Africa's approach continues to be that in order for us to achieve a strong and robust Treaty, States should endeavour to enter these negotiations with an open mind, an ambitious attitude and a goal to adopt an instrument that is as comprehensive as possible. It remains our goal that this Treaty should make a meaningful difference in the international legal arms trade. Any final product that would merely mirror the UN Register of Conventional Arms, as important a purpose which that instrument has served to date, would amount to failure. The ATT should be an international instrument that fills a glaring gap that currently exists in the global arms control system.
    [Show full text]
  • The Arms Trade Treaty: Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Prospects for Arms Embargoes on Human Rights Violators
    The Arms Trade Treaty: Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Prospects for Arms Embargoes on Human Rights Violators David B. Kopel,* Paul Gallant** and Joanne D. Eisen*** Abstract: Advocates of the proposed United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) promise that it will prevent the flow of arms to human rights violators. This Article first examines the ATT and observes that the ATT, if implemented as promised, would require dozens of additional arms embargoes, including embargoes on much of Africa. The Article then provides case studies of the current supply of arms to the dictatorship in Zimbabwe and to the warlords in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Article argues that the ATT would do nothing to remediate the conditions that have allowed so many arms to be acquired by human rights violators. The ATT would have no more effective force than the embargoes that are already imposed by the U.N. Security Council; therefore U.N. member states, including China, which violate current Security Council embargoes, could just as well violate ATT embargoes. Accordingly, the ATT is a distraction, and human rights activists should instead examine alternative methods of addressing the problem of arms in the hands of human rights violators. At the end of this Article, there is an abstract in Spanish, and a detailed summary of the Article in French. * Adjunct Professor of Advanced Constitutional Law, Denver University Sturm College of Law. Research Director, Independence Institute, Golden, Colo.; Associate Policy Analyst, Cato Institute, Washington, D.C. We would like to thank Dave Heal (University of Michigan Law School, class of 2010) and Trevor Burrus (Denver University Sturm College of Law, class of 2010) for research assistance.
    [Show full text]
  • 15 September 2017 Respectively, in Japan, 20 – 24 August 2018, and in Switzerland, 26-30 August 2019
    ATT/CSP6/2020/SEC/635/Conf.FinRep.Rev1 21 August 2020 Submitted by: the ATT Secretariat Original: English Arms Trade Treaty Sixth Conference of States Parties Geneva, 17 – 21 August 2020 (By written procedure) FINAL REPORT The Final Report of the Sixth Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty, which took place through written procedure, consists of four parts and an Annex as follows: I Introduction II Organization of the Conference III Documentation submitted to Conference IV Decisions and Recommendations Annex List of Documents I. INTRODUCTION 1. The Arms Trade Treaty entered into force on 24 December 2014 in line with the provisions of Article 22(1) of the Treaty. 2. Article 17(1) of the Treaty states that “A Conference of States Parties shall be convened by the provisional Secretariat, established under Article 18, no later than one year following the entry into force of this Treaty and thereafter at such other times as may be decided by the Conference of States Parties”. Article 17(4) (a-g) further states that “The Conference of States Parties shall: (a) Review the implementation of this Treaty, including developments in the field of conventional arms; (b) Consider and adopt recommendations regarding the implementation and operation of this Treaty, in particular the promotion of its universality; (c) Consider amendments to this Treaty in accordance with Article 20; (d) Consider issues arising from the interpretation of this Treaty; (e) Consider and decide the tasks and budget of the Secretariat; (f) Consider the establishment of any subsidiary bodies as may be necessary to improve the functioning of this Treaty; and (g) Perform any other function consistent with this Treaty.” 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
    PERMANENT MISSION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA to THE UNITED NATIONS STATEMENT by H.E. Mr. Milos VukaSinovic Pennanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations at the First Committee of the 7I st Session of the United Nations General Assembly General Debate CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY New York, 5 October 2016 LEXINTON AVENUE. SUIT!: 607. NEW YORK. NY 10170-TEL(212)7SI-90IS-FAX(212)7SI-9019 Mr. Chairman, Since my delegation is taking the floor for the first time, let me begin by extending my congratulations to you upon election as Chairperson of the First Committee for the seventy-first session of the UN General Assembly as well as the other members of the Bureau for their respective elections. 1 would like to assure you of the full support and cooperation of the delegation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina fully aligned itself with the statement delivered by the European Union, and now, I wish to deliver remarks in my national capacity. Mr. Chairman, The weapons of mass destruction, as most destructive weapons ever created, constitute an enormous challenge for global peace and stability. A growing threat from terrorist groups, criminals and other non-state actors and their intention to use weapons of mass destruction seriously challenge the non-proliferation regime. Bosnia and Hercegovina is committed to disarmament in all its aspects and we condemn, in the strongest possible terms the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). International community should be more united with regard to the idea to build the safe and more secure world.
    [Show full text]
  • FACT SHEET ARMS TRADE TREATY the Historic Adoption of the Arms
    FACT SHEET ARMS TRADE TREATY The historic adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) marks a turning point in the international community’s efforts to regulate the global trade in conventional arms and to promote peace and security. Virtually two-thirds of States have signed the ATT. In all parts of the world, the ready availability of weapons and ammunition leads to human suffering, political repression, crime and terror among civilian populations. Irresponsible arms transfers can destabilise an entire region, enable violations of arms embargoes and contribute to human rights abuses. Investment is discouraged and development disrupted in countries experiencing conflict and high levels of violence. Countries affected by conflict or pervasive crime have the most difficulty attaining internationally agreed development goals. Adoption of the ATT at the UN General Assembly, 2 April 2013 Setting global norms Virtually all areas of world trade are covered by regulations that bind countries into agreed conduct. Before the adoption of the ATT by the General Assembly of the United Nations, there was no global set of rules governing the trade in conventional weapons. The ATT sets robust international standards to help guide governments in deciding whether or not to authorise arms transfers. It provides for cooperation and assistance to help countries develop adequate regulatory systems and safe weapons stockpiles. For the United Nations, the Arms Trade Treaty holds powerful promises Reduce armed conflict and violence, which impact millions of civilians every year; Help create a more conducive environment for the UN to carry out its mandates in peacekeeping, peacemaking and post-conflict peacebuilding and in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; Foster a safer environment for humanitarian actors – those delivering food aid, protecting refugees, empowering of women, etc – operating in volatile areas across the globe.
    [Show full text]
  • Arms Trade Treaty Cell: +254 72 860 7642 Cell: +254 73 565 0300 [email protected] Ratification and Implementation
    About the author ISS Pretoria Ben Coetzee is the Programme Manager of the Arms Block C, Brooklyn Court Management Programme and a senior researcher at the 361 Veale Street ISS in Pretoria. He has worked with governments across New Muckleneuk Africa on matters relating to arms control. His efforts Pretoria, South Africa are dedicated to improve arms control measures and to Tel: +27 12 346 9500 reduce the flow of illicit arms to and across Africa. Fax: +27 12 460 0998 [email protected] ISS Addis Ababa 5th Floor, Get House Building About the ISS Africa Avenue Addis Ababa ARM The Institute for Security Studies is an African organisation Ethiopia that aims to enhance human security on the continent. Tel: +251 11 515 6320 It does independent and authoritative research, provides Fax: +251 11 515 6449 S TR expert policy analysis and advice, and delivers practical [email protected] training and technical assistance. A ISS Dakar DE TRE 4th Floor, Immeuble Atryum Route de Ouakam Dakar, Senegal Acknowledgements Tel: +221 33 860 3304/42 at This guide was made possible with support from the Fax: +221 33 860 3343 British High Commission. The ISS is also grateful for [email protected] Y support from the members of the ISS Partnership Forum: • the governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, ISS Nairobi Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the USA. Braeside Gardens off Muthangari Road Ben Coetzee Lavington, Nairobi, Kenya Arms Trade Treaty Cell: +254 72 860 7642 Cell: +254 73 565 0300 [email protected] Ratification and implementation www.issafrica.org guide for African States Ben Coetzee © 2014, Institute for Security Studies Copyright in the volume as a whole is vested in the author and in ISS Guide the Institute for Security Studies, and no part may be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission, in writing, of both the authors and the publishers.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 1.2: Arms Control 30 Initiatives in Action in Africa
    ATT MONITOR 2016 CHAPTER 1.2: ARMS CONTROL 30 INITIATIVES IN ACTION IN AFRICA CHAPTER 1.2: In the absence of publicly available reports it becomes necessary to draw on a range of complementary and relevant ARMS CONTROL INITIATIVES sources in order to build up a more detailed picture of IN ACTION IN AFRICA implementation progress made by African States Parties. For example, over the past decade-and-a-half, a relatively large This chapter questions why action to implement the number of African countries have voluntarily contributed obligations in the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) has been far National Reports to the UN Programme of Action on small more convincing in some African countries and sub-regions arms and light weapons (PoA).3 The institutions, regulations than in others. This chapter explores some of the possible and procedures that countries detail in these reports will also impediments to implementation and ratification among African be relevant to the control of the wider range of conventional countries, which include but are not limited to, institutional will, arms as contained in the scope of the ATT. capacity and resources, and political contexts within countries and regions. Each country faces its own unique context and set of implementation challenges, and this chapter outlines some SUB-REGIONAL ACTION case studies that explore the most pervasive challenges in This chapter provides a brief snapshot of the status of the ATT putting the ATT into action more effectively. across each region of Africa, presented in order of the level of political support for the Treaty as of 31 May 2016.
    [Show full text]
  • EU Statement Treaty Implementation Arms Trade Treaty Seventh Conference of State Parties Geneva, 30 August – 3 September 2021
    EU Statement Treaty Implementation Arms Trade Treaty Seventh Conference of State Parties Geneva, 30 August – 3 September 2021 Mr. President, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The Candidate Countries Turkey, the Republic of North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia* and Albania*, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Georgia align themselves with this statement. The EU underlines the essential contribution that a responsible arms trade policy makes to the maintenance of international peace and security and respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. Since the adoption of the 2008/944 EU Common Position on arms exports, EU Member States are legally bound to assess license applications for the export of conventional arms against eight criteria. These criteria are in line with the ATT. Among other cases, EU Member States deny licenses whenever there is a clear risk that the export of military technology and equipment might be used for internal repression, contribute to regional instability, or violate international human rights or humanitarian law. The ATT is the first arms- regulation treaty to recognise the link between conventional arms transfers and gender-based violence, mandating that gender based violence be considered in the course of export risk assessments. Its effective implementation can contribute to eliminating violence against women and girls, as set out in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 5.2. * The Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding the Role of U.S. Industry in the Arms Trade Treaty
    Understanding the Role of U.S. Industry in the Arms Trade Treaty AUGUST 2019 This report was written by Rachel Stohl, Managing Director at the Stimson Center and Director of the Conventional Defense Program who has led the U.S. Industry Working Group on the Arms Trade Treaty since 2010. U.S. NAVY (BOTTOM LEFT); LEFT); (BOTTOM NAVY U.S. Copyright © 2019 by the Stimson Center. Published August 2019. Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved. Produced by Masters Group Design COVER: U.S. AIR FORCE (TOP); AIR FORCE U.S. COVER: FLICKER.COM/ DOD INSPECTOR GENERAL (BOTTOM RIGHT) GENERAL (BOTTOM DOD INSPECTOR FLICKER.COM/ 1211 Connecticut Avenue NW, 8th Floor Washington, DC 20036 Tel: 202.223.5956 | Fax: 202.238.9604 www.stimson.org PHOTO: FLICKER.COM/ THE U.S. ARMY 2 UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF U.S. INDUSTRY IN THE ARMS TRADE TREATY INTRODUCTION Adopted by the United Nations in 2013, the Arms Trade Treaty entered into force on 24 December 2014. The ATT is the first legally binding international agreement to regulate the global trade in conventional arms by establishing common international standards for countries to incorporate into their national transfer control systems. As of 1 July 2019, the ATT has 104 States Parties and an additional 33 signatories. The ATT aims to stop the irresponsible and illegal transfer of conventional arms, which are often used to commit violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. The treaty promotes cooperation in the global arms trade by establishing clear elements for national control systems and facilitating transparency to build confidence among trading partners.
    [Show full text]