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Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)

The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is an important global agreement focused on controlling the international trade of conventional weapons. It was adopted by the United Nations on April 2, 2013, and came into force on December 24, 2014. So far, 113 countries have ratified the treaty, with another 28 having signed but not yet ratified it.

Goals Of The ATT

The ATT aims to:

  • Promote Global Peace: By regulating arms transfers, the treaty helps maintain regional and international stability.
  • Reduce Human Suffering: Controlling the flow of weapons helps limit violence and human rights violations linked to conflicts.
  • Encourage Cooperation: The treaty fosters responsible behaviour and transparency among states regarding arms trade.

The ATT plays a crucial role in addressing the dangers of the illicit arms trade and ensuring that weapons are not used to commit human rights violations or acts of terrorism. It requires states to put in place strict monitoring systems to oversee arms imports and exports, in line with existing arms embargoes.

Historical Background

The treaty traces its origins to a movement started by Nobel Peace Prize winner Óscar Arias in 1997. Arias pushed for ethical standards in arms trade, leading to a global initiative. After years of negotiation, conferences were held in New York in 2012 and 2013 to finalise the ATT.

Key Provisions Of The Arms Trade Treaty

The ATT requires all participating countries to establish regulations for the transfer of weapons across borders and set common standards that must be met before approving arms exports. Some of the treaty’s main requirements include:

  • National Control Systems: Countries must set up a control system to manage and monitor arms transfers and appoint national authorities to ensure transparency.
  • Prohibiting Transfers: States are forbidden from transferring weapons if it violates UN Security Council measures (such as arms embargoes) or if the arms could be used to commit serious crimes like genocide, war crimes, or attacks on civilians.
  • Risk Assessment: Before exporting weapons, countries must assess the potential risks, including whether the arms could be used to violate international law or contribute to terrorism or organised crime. If there is a significant risk, the export must be denied.
  • Scope of Arms Covered: The treaty applies to conventional weapons such as battle tanks, helicopters, artillery systems, and small arms. It also covers ammunition and weapon parts.
  • Reporting Obligations: Countries must report their arms exports and imports annually to the treaty secretariat, though they may exclude sensitive security information.

Implementation And Challenges

The ATT does not interfere with domestic arms laws or a state’s right to self-defence. Instead, it sets international guidelines to prevent weapons from being diverted to illicit channels. One challenge, however, is the treaty’s lack of universal acceptance. Several large arms-exporting nations have yet to sign or ratify the treaty, limiting its full effectiveness.

Current Status

As of December 2022, 110 countries have formally joined the ATT. Ongoing efforts are being made to encourage more countries to ratify the treaty, with the next major event being the Tenth Conference of States Parties, scheduled for August 2024.

India’s Position On The ATT

India is not a signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty. When the treaty was being adopted, India abstained from voting, citing concerns about its implications, particularly regarding terrorism and non-state actors. India, along with other major arms-producing countries like Russia and China, has chosen not to sign or ratify the treaty.

Reasons For India’s Non-Ratification

India has not joined the ATT for several reasons:

  1. Terrorism and Non-State Actors: India believes the treaty does not effectively address the threat posed by terrorist groups and non-state actors. India’s ongoing battle with cross-border terrorism makes it cautious about any treaty that could limit its ability to import arms for national defence while not preventing arms from reaching terrorists.
  2. Unequal Obligations: India argues that the treaty unfairly favours arms-exporting countries, allowing them to impose restrictions on importing nations without being held accountable. This could weaken India’s defence capabilities.
  3. National Security: India emphasises the importance of maintaining autonomy in arms procurement to protect its national security. The treaty’s requirements could complicate India’s military strategy, especially in a region with ongoing tensions.
  4. Regional Considerations: India also criticises the treaty for failing to account for regional security needs. Countries like India, which face prolonged conflicts, argue that the ATT does not fully consider their specific security challenges.

Summing Up

The Arms Trade Treaty is a significant step towards creating a more responsible global framework for the international arms trade. It seeks to enhance global security and protect human rights by preventing the misuse of conventional weapons. However, challenges remain in its implementation, particularly with some major nations choosing not to participate.

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