After a 5 year wait, Brazil finished its national Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) ratification process yesterday, when President Temer signed off the Senate’s approval to the Treaty.  The President noted on social media and main newspapers that this “is an important step towards better control of firearm circulation throughout the world.” He also highlighted that “with more cooperation, we are strengthening public security and preventing human rights violations.”

The accession of Brazil to the ATT is important as Brazil ranks among the top global producers of small arms and ammunition for two decades. In fact, Latin America’s largest firearms manufacturer, Taurus, is Brazilian.

President Temer Tweeted: “I have just signed the instrument of ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty. It is an important step for a better control of firearms circulation throughout the world. With more cooperation, we are strengthening public security and preventing human rights violations.”

Control Arms members in Brazil welcomed this key step towards the Treaty’s ratification. However, they remain cautious  and urge Brazil to assess its arms transfer policies and ensure that they are consistent with their ATT obligations.

Ivan Marques, director of Sou da Paz Institute, calls on the Brazilian government to review its policy on allowing sales that supply governments that are constantly involved in human rights violations towards its own population or feeding conflicts elsewhere – a recent example being Saudi Arabia, known to use Brazilian bombs in the Yemen conflict.

Brazil’s deposit of its instrument of ratification to the UN will bring the #SprintTo100 one step closer to 100 States Parties before the Fourth Conference of States Parties in Tokyo this August.