More

    The Arms Trade Treaty Must Be Faithfully Implemented

    GovernanceGlobal GovernanceThe Arms Trade Treaty Must Be Faithfully Implemented
    - Advertisment -

    The Arms Trade Treaty Must Be Faithfully Implemented

    The Arms Trade Treaty was designed to prevent the recurrence of horrors of preceding wars. When faithfully implemented, it plays an indispensable part in States’ efforts to prevent serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law.

    By Mirjana Spoljaric

    Every day, the ICRC witnesses the immense human suffering caused by armed violence and conflict, fuelled by the widespread availability and misuse of arms and ammunition.

    In many places, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Israel and the occupied territories, the Sahel, Somalia, Ukraine and Yemen, to mention but a few, this influx of weapons exacts an unacceptable human toll and hinders the prospects of building lasting peace. 

    With global arms sales on the rise, driven by growing international tensions, resurgent arms race dynamics and commercial incentives, the promotion of responsible action and restraint in the international arms trade is an ever more pressing humanitarian imperative. 

    Can the international community accept that vast quantities of conventional arms and ammunition continue to flow – overtly and covertly – to some of the most brutal armed conflicts, where there is a clear or overriding risk that they could be used to commit or facilitate international humanitarian law violations?

    - Advertisement -

    The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) was designed to prevent the recurrence of horrors of preceding wars. When faithfully implemented, it plays an indispensable part in States’ efforts to prevent serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law.

    States Parties to the ATT have shown leadership in adhering to the first global treaty to regulate the international trade in conventional arms. 

    Any State as an arms supplier must apply greater diligence in assessing the risks posed by the arms they transfer, and implement timely, robust and practical measures that can realistically offset such risks.

    Foster respect for IHL

    Respect for international humanitarian law in arms transfer decisions must apply at all levels of decision-making and must not be trumped by economic or political considerations. 

    Where there is a clear risk that arms would be used to commit international humanitarian law violations, States Parties to the ATT must refrain from transferring them. 

    Exporting States should, furthermore, use their influence to foster respect for international humanitarian law by the arms recipient.

    Second, the Treaty’s humanitarian aspirations must be operationalized to yield tangible impact on the ground.

    The humanitarian purpose of the Treaty is evident. It recognizes the human cost of arms availability and spells out the aim of contributing to international and regional peace and security.

    The attention given to the effective implementation of the provisions of the Arms Trade Treaty and the role of interagency cooperation in achieving this is welcome.

    This should effectively mark the start of a renewed focus on practical issues in ATT implementation including the establishment of national control systems, greater control on arms flows and responsible arms transfer practices.

    Finally, the international community must restore a vision of disarmament and arms control as a crucial path toward sustainable peace and security.

    We might witness the first ever and highly regrettable withdrawal of a state party from a humanitarian disarmament treaty, it is more urgent than ever to uphold and strengthen the norms that safeguard humanity and preserve prospects for peace. 

    Adapted from ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric’s addresses the Tenth Conference of State Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty on World Humanitarian Day.

    - Advertisement -

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Latest news

    India Among Six Most Affected Countries by Extreme Weather Events

    The long-term assessment of the CRI 2025, covering data from 1993 to 2022, places India as the sixth most affected country globally due to extreme weather events. Over this period, India reported a staggering loss of 80,000 lives and economic damages amounting to $200 billion.

    Calculated, Coordinated Crackdown – UN Report Uncovers Systematic Repression in Bangladesh Protests

    The mass mobilisation saw participation from people across different backgrounds, including women and children. Faced with this growing opposition, the former government resorted to increasingly violent means to maintain power. The UN report describes a deliberate strategy orchestrated at the highest levels of the former administration.

    Adani Green Energy Withdraws from $1 Billion Wind Power Project in Sri Lanka

    There has been a raging debate in Sri Lanka on the deal, citing it as an expensive deal. The earlier government had agreed to purchase power from Adani’s 484-megawatt wind power project at a rate of 8.26 US cents per unit under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

    IMF Chief Reaffirms Support for Pakistan’s Reforms in Meeting with Shehbaz Sharif

    Georgieva praised Pakistan’s efforts in implementing the IMF-supported program, acknowledging the country’s improving economic performance with rising growth and declining inflation. She recognized Pakistan’s economic recovery and noted that it is on a positive trajectory.
    - Advertisement -

    In the Lok Sabha: Government Reports Significant Progress on Agriculture Infrastructure Fund

    Eligible projects include warehouses, silos, cold chains, logistics facilities, and smart precision agriculture infrastructure. Loan applicants must contribute at least 10 per cent of the project cost, and an entity can apply for up to 25 projects, each eligible for a loan of up to Rs. 2 crore.

    In the Lok Sabha: Over 68,000 Lakes Constructed as Part of Mission Amrit Sarovar

    With the successful completion of more than 68,000 Sarovars ahead of schedule, the government has now launched the second phase of Mission Amrit Sarovar. This phase will emphasise ensuring sustainable water availability and climate resilience, with community participation (Jan Bhagidari) being the core focus.

    Must read

    India Among Six Most Affected Countries by Extreme Weather Events

    The long-term assessment of the CRI 2025, covering data from 1993 to 2022, places India as the sixth most affected country globally due to extreme weather events. Over this period, India reported a staggering loss of 80,000 lives and economic damages amounting to $200 billion.

    Calculated, Coordinated Crackdown – UN Report Uncovers Systematic Repression in Bangladesh Protests

    The mass mobilisation saw participation from people across different backgrounds, including women and children. Faced with this growing opposition, the former government resorted to increasingly violent means to maintain power. The UN report describes a deliberate strategy orchestrated at the highest levels of the former administration.
    - Advertisement -

    More from the sectionRELATED
    Recommended to you