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A robust Arms Trade Treaty to stop transfers when there is a substantial risk that the arms or ammunition are likely to be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law or international human rights law, or fuel armed violence and undermine socio-economic development.
A legally-binding Arms Trade Treaty that holds governments accountable to existing standards of international law and the UN Charter.
A global, comprehensive treaty that includes all conventional weapons and ammunition, all transfers and all transactions.
An enforceable treaty that includes detailed guidelines for full implementation, reporting, international cooperation, compliance and accountability.
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We can win an international Arms Trade Treaty.
After over 10 years of campaigning we are at the edge of making history. Join the Control Arms campaign and keep up the pressure on governments to agree a bullet proof arms trade treaty.
2013 is the make or break year. This is what we want:
• no arms that contribute to human rights abuses
• no arms that contribute to war crimes
• no arms that keep people in poverty
• yes for global regulation of the arms trade
You can join the campaign by signing up below, and “liking” us on facebook.com/controlarms. Tell your friends to join us too by sharing a short tamen like this with your friends:
Thousands of people are killed, injured, raped, and forced to flee from their homes as a result of the unregulated global arms trade. The Control Arms campaign is a global civil society alliance calling for a bulletproof Arms Trade Treaty: a global, legally binding agreement that will ease the suffering caused by irresponsible transfers of conventional weapons and munitions.
To follow the UN negotiations through tracking of State’s positions, blogs and analysis click here.
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Japan commits to be among the first to sign the ATT
Japan is committed to being among the initial signatories of the Arms Trade Treaty when it opens for signature on June 3rd at the United Nations in New York.
Japan has been among the most active proponents of a strong ATT. In addition to their role as a co-author of the original 2006 UNGA resolutions that initiated the ATT process at the United Nations, and others since then, they have facilitated numerous meetings with other supportive countries through their mission in New York and have played a leadership role in promoting the Treaty throughout the Asian region.
In a recent statement, Ambassador Tsueno Nishida said that, “The Arms Trade Treaty will prevent the transfer of arms into the wrong hands, through implementing standards of both international humanitarian law and human rights law.” The Japanese mission to the United Nations has been a proponent of “enhancing transparency and strengthening accountability through a reporting mechanism,” arguing for International cooperation and assistance as essential for the implementation and enforcement of the treaty.
Control Arms applauds Japan’s leadership and commitment.
“You made this happen. This is your victory. Tonight is your night.”
All photos taken by Marie-Anne Ventoura
On Wednesday 15th May in London, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Control Arms hosted a reception to mark the adoption of the ATT, and to build momentum in advance of the 3rd June signing ceremony.
Around 500 guests, including many London-based Ambassadors and High Commissioners, parliamentarians, Control Arms staff and supporters, officials and media attended.
Foreign Secretary William Hague and Minister Alistair Burt both gave speeches welcoming the treaty and calling for wide signature and rapid entry into force, alongside Amnesty’s Kate Allen and Oxfam’s Anna Macdonald who thanked all who have worked hard over the last decade to achieve the success. Watch the speeches here.
Many campaigners from across the UK attended, including school and university students who supported the campaign, and organized Control Arms actions. Thanks to everyone for a great night!
Sweden Commits to Sign the Arms Trade Treaty on Day 1
Sweden has joined the growing number of States to go on record and confirm that they will be signing the Arms Trade Treaty on 3 June as part of the historic signing ceremony at United Nations Headquarters.
Sweden’s announcement comes days after the European Council proposed a Council decision authorizing all European Union Member States to sign the Treaty. Sweden’s announcement is expected to be the first of many for the EU with additional announcements expected as soon as the end of this week.
The Arms Trade Treaty has been widely supported within Sweden with backing from all eight political parties including 57 Members of Parliament who signed the Control Arms Parliamentarian Declaration on the ATT. During negotiations Ambassador Paul Beijer, who will be signing on behalf of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was a strong advocate of an effective Arms Trade Treaty.
“We believe that a legally binding, universal instrument aimed at better regulating the legal trade in arms represents an essential step in addressing what can only be describes as one of the most serious challenges facing the global community today,” Beijer stated in a speech from the ATT negotiations last July.
Control Arms welcomes Sweden as the first of many European countries to publicly commit to signing the Arms Trade Treaty and looks forward to other countries following suit in the coming weeks.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO COMMITS TO SIGN ARMS TRADE TREATY ON JUNE 3
Trinidad and Tobago has publicly confirmed that they will be adding their signature to the Arms Trade Treaty on 3 June when the Treaty officially opens for signature.
As a signal of their high level of support, Winston Dookeran [pictured left], Foreign Minister of Trinidad and Tobago will officially sign the Treaty on behalf of the Caribbean State. Dookeran is the first of many expected high level ministers to signal their attendance at the event.
Trinidad and Tobago has been one of the leading proponents of the Arms Trade Treaty throughout negotiations on the Arms Trade Treaty and often coordinated the efforts of the wider Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
In March, Ambassador Eden Charles, lead Arms Trade Treaty negotiator for Trinidad and Tobago, made clear what an effective Arms Trade Treaty would mean for the world. “It is undeniable that regulation of the global arms trade would ultimately assist in reducing, if not preventing, armed conflict and armed violence which have caused tremendous human suffering in many regions of the world,” he said.
Trinidad and Tobago continues to lead by example. Control Arms welcomes their trail blazing efforts and encourages other countries to sign, ratify, and send high level ministers to the history signing ceremony next month.
Momentum builds ahead of ATT signing conference
With less than one month remaining until the Arms Trade Treaty signing ceremony, members of the Control Arms coalition are mobilizing around the globe to call on states to publicly announce their intention to sign. The ceremony will take place on 3 June at the United Nations in New York and Control Arms is hopeful that most of the 156 governments who voted in favour of the Treaty will sign it.
Yesterday, the coalition issued an Action Alert to its membership. Over the next four weeks, campaigners will meet with governments, connect with media, and get online as part of the coalition’s drive to rally public and political support for the Treaty. Members in several countries are planning events and activities during this time while in New York plans are getting underway for the ceremony itself.
The event on 3 June will be a historic and symbolic moment as well as an excellent time to get a high number of signatories at one time to help to ensure swift entry into force. It is also an opportunity for States to deliver strong interpretative statements and establish high customary norms.
Control Arms calls on all states to show leadership and prove their commitment by signing the treaty when it opens for signature on June 3.
Click here for more stories from the Control Arms campaign!
A Step by Step Guide to Signing and Ratifying the Arms Trade Treaty
The United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs has just released a publication titled “Arms Trade Treaty: Signature and Ratification.” This brochure acts as a step by step guide that describes the procedures that States must follow in order to sign, ratify, accept, approve, or accede to the Arms Trade Treaty. Click here to read the full brochure.
Trinidad and Tobago has publicly confirmed that they will be adding their signature to the Arms Trade Treaty on 3 June when the Treaty officially opens for signature.
