Arms Trade Treaty

The formal preparatory stage of treaty negotiations is now complete. Five weeks of Preparatory Committee meetings (PrepComs) have been held and states are now positioning themselves ahead of the Diplomatic Conference to negotiate the treaty scheduled for July 2012. 

The concept of a treaty has now received widespread support. Delegates have discussed possible principles, goals and objectives of the treaty, as well as specific elements that an ATT would need to include. For example, the range of equipment and types of transactions a treaty should cover (scope), the rules states should apply when deciding whether to authorise arms transfers (parameters or criteria) and the means by which an ATT should be implemented.

There are still plenty of details to be worked out on all key issues, and no guarantee that agreement will be reached on a treaty that would have the impact so desperately needed.  Even the negotiating rules could work against a powerful treaty. The provisional Rules of Procedure agreed at the final PrepCom provide for decisions at the negotiating conference to be taken ‘by consensus’ and for the work of the conference to be conducted ‘on the basis of consensus’ – an ambiguous outcome that could unravel in July. In addition, the unclear meaning of ‘consensus’ raises the unwelcome prospect that in the event of states taking a narrow interpretation of the term, the will of the vast majority of states could be frustrated by the objections of a few.

Saferworld was present throughout the final PrepCom in February 2012. This PrepCom was dominated by intense wrangling over the Rules of Procedure for the negotiating conference, which at one point threatened to derail the entire ATT process. Ultimately, an agreement was reached on rules for negotiations in July. However, the Chair’s Paper, regarded by most states as a good basis for discussion, was relegated to being one of several background papers for the Diplomatic Conference. This means it will require tough negotiation by delegations to get positive content such as human rights and international humanitarian law incorporated into the treaty text.

The final PrepCom report invites states to submit ‘focused views’, of no more than 1,500 words on the elements of an ATT, which will be compiled and made available as an additional background document for the July conference.  It will be important that as many states as possible submit views which reflect the overwhelming support for a robust treaty, using the Chair’s Paper as a starting point, so that negotiations begin from a high base.

With just a few short months until the final ATT negotiations begin, much work needs to be done to lay the groundwork to negotiate a strong treaty.  In addition to making 1,500 word submissions on ATT elements, all states in favour of a robust and effective ATT must ensure that they are fully prepared to speak out so that all supporting voices are heard at the Diplomatic Conference. It is incumbent on all ATT supporters to redouble their efforts to fight for a strong ATT, one that will make a concrete difference to those suffering at the sharp end of the poorly regulated trade in conventional arms. Saferworld will continue to work with government, parliamentary and non-governmental partners towards achieving a robust and effective ATT.

Add your voice to the Speak Out Campaign

Find out more about the Control Arms campaign

Visit the website of the ATT Preparatory Committee

Implementation Framework for the ATT

Saferworld has been at the forefront of civil society efforts for an international Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), since a group of Nobel Laureates first articulated their vision for a global treaty to tackle this issue in 1996. We undertake research, develop policy, and advocate with governments and international institutions to make the case for an effective treaty based on international humanitarian and human rights law.

Saferworld was present when the UN General Assembly passed its first resolution on the ATT in 2006 and again in December 2009 when, in a significant breakthrough, the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of a resolution to negotiate a 'strong and robust' ATT. The resolution mandates four weeks of substantive preparatory meetings (Preparatory Committees, or PrepComs) leading to a UN negotiating conference in 2012 to elaborate a legally-binding instrument on the highest possible common international standards for the transfer of conventional arms.

Read Saferworld and the history of the Arms Trade Treaty briefing

Find out more about the Control Arms campaign

Visit the website of the ATT Preparatory Committee

Saferworld's recent work on the ATT has focused on the issues of scope and particularly implementation. Since November 2011 Saferworld has held several seminars at which, working with a variety of states, it has explored in detail how implementation should be organised to ensure an effective Treaty. Through this work, Saferworld has developed an implementation framework for the ATT which was launched at the July 2011 PrepCom. And working with Control Arms partners, Saferworld has helped develop a series of position papers on the scope, parameters and implementation of an ATT.

Read 'Saferworld reflections on the February 2012 ATT Prepcom'

Read 'Saferworld report card on the July 2011 ATT prepcom'

Visit the website of the ATT Preparatory Committee