The UN’s first international treaty regulating the global trade in arms and ammunition enters into force on Christmas Eve.
The World Council of Churches – which has long been campaigning for the introduction of the Arms Trade Treaty – has likened its to a long overdue Christmas gift.
Rev Dr Olav Fyske Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, said the new treaty gives states and societies “a new instrument to protect human lives and human dignity, which are among God’s great gifts to all people”.
“Our prayer and expectation is that the ATT must become a treaty that no government and no arms dealer can ignore. The news reminds us almost daily of how many people need protection from armed violence and it often involves illicit arms.”
The new treaty has so far been ratified by 60 states – including large arms exporters like Germany, France and the UK – and been signed by 125 states including the world’s largest arms exporter, the US. More than 150 states voted for the treaty with countries including Russia, China and India abstaining.
States ratifying the treaty commit themselves to regulating all transfers of conventional arms and components – including tanks and armoured combat vehicles, large-calibre artillery systems, combat aircraft and attack helicopters, warships, missiles and small arms – and banning the export of arms where there is a substantial risk they will be used in war crimes, genocide or attacks against civilians.
As many as 2,000 people die around the world every day as a result of armed violence.
