Ending the illegal arms trade – securing an international Arms Trade Treaty

The UK defence sector operates in one of the strictest regulatory regimes in the world, and complies with all UK, EU and international legislation.  But around the world, there are manufacturers, importers and exporters who do not.

The unregulated trade in arms fuels conflict, poverty and human rights abuses across the world, and provides repressive regimes, criminals and terrorist groups with the means to inflict violence.  According to Control Arms, ‘each year hundreds of thousands of people are unlawfully killed, tortured, raped and displaced through the misuse of arms.’

One of the most destructive aspects of the illegal arms trade is the trafficking of small arms (such as pistols and rifles), which are responsible for more than 1,300 deaths every day.  Because they are small and portable, small arms have been purchased illegally by rebel groups, terrorists and warring factions across Asia, Africa and South America.

The best solution to stamp out the illegal arms trade is a global, legally-binding Arms Trade Treaty – an international instrument which will unify and consolidate the current obligations of states under international law.  An international Arms Trade Treaty would help to ensure that all arms importers and exporters abide by the same high standards regarding the use, management and transfer of arms.

The development of a international Arms Trade Treaty is being led by the United Nations in partnership with Member States, the Defence Industry, NGOs and charities.

Timeline for the development of an international Arms Trade Treaty

2006 The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution, called ‘Towards an Arms Trade Treaty’. A group of governmental experts was convened to report on “the feasibility, scope and draft parameters for a comprehensive, legally binding instrument establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms”.

2008 The report on the feasibility of an international Arms Trade Treaty was published.

2009-11 Meetings of an ATT Working Group to establish a consensus on what the Treaty will eventually look like.

Clarion Events condemns the illegal arms trade and is supporting the United Nations campaign for an international Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). To demonstrate our support and agreement with an international Arms Trade Treaty, DSEi hosted a seminar on the subject at DSEi 2009 just as it did so successfully in 2007.

While it is vital to end the illegal arms trade, it is important to recognise that there is a legitimate use for arms and therefore a legitimate role for a well regulated international defence and security industry.  This position is supported by those campaigning for an international Arms Trade Treaty.

Links to sites with further information about the illegal arms trade and the international Arms Trade Treaty are included in the ‘Find out More’ section.