UNITED NATIONS: A global Arms Trade Treaty to regulate the $85bn industry and keep weapons out of the hands of human rights abusers and criminals will come into force on December 24 after the 50th country ratified the agreement yesterday, the United Nations said.
The 193-member UN General Assembly adopted the treaty in April last year. Argentina, Bahamas, Portugal, Czech Republic, St. Lucia, Senegal and Uruguay deposited their ratifications with the world body yesterday, taking the total to 52.
UN disarmament chief Angela Kane told an Arms Trade Treaty event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that Bosnia and Herzegovina was due to also deposit its ratification later.
“The need for the ATT remains abundantly clear. Deadly weaponry continues to find its way into irresponsible hands. Unscrupulous arms brokers defy UN arms embargoes. Ruthless leaders turn their arsenals on their own citizens,” Kane said, delivering remarks on behalf of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The Arms Trade Treaty aims to set standards for all cross-border transfers of conventional weapons ranging from small firearms to tanks and attack helicopters. It would create binding requirements for states to review cross-border contracts to ensure that weapons will not be used in human rights abuses, terrorism, violations of humanitarian law or organised crime. Reuters
