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By Kirsten Harmon*
After years of intensive negotiations, the U.N. General Assembly adopted the Arms Trade Treaty on April 2, 2013, by an overwhelming vote of 154 to 3 (with 23 States abstaining). Only Syria, Iran, and North Korea opposed.
After years of intensive negotiations, the U.N. General Assembly adopted the Arms Trade Treaty on April 2, 2013, by an overwhelming vote of 154 to 3 (with 23 States abstaining). Only Syria, Iran, and North Korea opposed.
This groundbreaking agreement is the
first to establish binding common standards for the international transfer of all
conventional arms.
It expressly prohibits Parties from
authorizing international transfers of conventional arms that would violate
measures adopted by the U.N. Security Council; contravene the Party’s
obligations under other relevant international arms control agreements; or
would be used to commit genocide, crimes against humanity, grave breaches of
the Geneva Conventions of 1949, or other war crimes. Parties are also required
to refrain from authorizing transfers that would undermine peace and security; commit
or facilitate serious violations of international human rights or international
humanitarian law, acts of terrorism, or organized crime.
