Introduction
The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is the first legally binding global agreement regulating the international trade of conventional arms, including small arms, battle tanks, combat aircraft, warships, and ammunition. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on April 2, 2013 (Resolution 67/234 B) and officially came into force on December 24, 2014. The primary objective of the treaty is to curb human suffering caused by the illicit and irresponsible transfer of arms, strengthen regional stability, and enhance transparency in the global arms trade.
Key Dates:
| Adoption: | April 2, 2013 (154 votes in favor, 3 against, 23 abstentions) |
| Entry into Force: | December 24, 2014 (90 days after ratified by 50 states) |
| Signatories: | Over 130 nations (as of 2023) |
| States Parties: | with 113 to 116 States Parties that have ratified the treaty as of 2024. |
Core Provisions of the ATT
The ATT imposes binding obligations on its States Parties to regulate arms transfers and prevent their diversion of weapons into illicit markets.
Objectives
Primary Goals:
- Curtail illicit arms flows and diversion.
- Prevent arms use in human rights violations, terrorism, and transnational crime.
- Enhance transparency and responsibility in arms transfers.
Humanitarian Focus:
- Reduce human suffering caused by irresponsible arms trade.
Scope of the Treaty
The treaty covers eight categories of conventional weapons, including:
- Tanks
- Armored combat vehicles
- Large-caliber artillery systems
- Combat aircraft
- Attack helicopters
- Warships
- Missiles and missile launchers
- Small arms and light weapons
Additionally, the treaty includes regulations on ammunition, munitions, and key components necessary for assembling such weapons.
Key Obligations for States Parties
Risk Assessments:
- Exporting states must evaluate if arms could be used to violate international law (e.g., war crimes, genocide) or undermine peace.
Prohibitions:
- Transfers are banned if they violate UN embargoes or facilitate severe human rights abuses.
Reporting:
- Annual reports on arms exports/imports to promote transparency.
Diversion Prevention:
- Measures to curb arms rerouting to unauthorized users.
Membership
States Parties:
- 110 as of 2023, including major exporters like France, Germany, and the UK.
Key Absences:
- The U.S. (signed but unratified), Russia, China, and India remain non-parties, citing sovereignty or efficacy concerns.
Governance
Secretariat:
- Based in Geneva, supports implementation and coordination.
Conference of States Parties (CSP):
- Annual meetings for review, compliance, and policy updates.
Criticisms and Support
Criticisms:
- Vague language and reliance on self-reporting.
- Lack of enforcement mechanisms.
- Perceived infringement on national sovereignty.
Support:
- Praised by NGOs (Amnesty International, Control Arms Coalition) as a critical step toward accountability.
Recent Developments
Accessions:
- Ongoing efforts to expand membership, particularly in Africa and Latin America.
References:
Primary Treaty Text & UN Documents
- https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-8&chapter=26&clang=_en
UN General Assembly Resolution 67/234B (2013)
ATT Secretariat
- https://thearmstradetreaty.org/
UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)
Timeline of ATT negotiations and implementation:
- https://www.un.org/disarmament/convarms/arms-trade-treaty-2/
Control Arms Coalition
NGO coalition instrumental in advocating for the ATT:
- https://controlarms.org/en/about/history/
ATT States Parties
Updated list of signatories and ratifications:
- https://thearmstradetreaty.org/membership.html
U.S. Position
U.S. Department of State statements on ATT
- https://www.state.gov/arms-trade-treaty/
Conference of States Parties (CSP) Reports
Annual meeting documents and decisions:
- https://thearmstradetreaty.org/csp.html
SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute)
Analysis of arms trade trends and ATT impact:
- https://www.sipri.org/research/armament-and-disarmament/arms-transfers-and-military-spending/arms-trade-treaty
Amnesty International
Reports on ATT implementation gaps and human rights:
- https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/arms-control/
Human Rights Watch
Assessments of arms transfers and violations:
- https://www.hrw.org/topic/arms
UNODC Global Study on Firearms Trafficking
- https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/firearms-protocol/index.html
Small Arms Survey
Annual reports on illicit small arms trade:
- https://www.smallarmssurvey.org/
Books
- The Arms Trade Treaty: A Commentary (2016) by Andrew Clapham, Stuart Casey-Maslen, et al.
- The Global Arms Trade: A Handbook (2019) by Andrew T. H. Tan.
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- “Effectiveness of the Arms Trade Treaty” (Journal of Conflict & Security Law).
- “The ATT and Human Security” (Global Policy Journal).