Independent views and reports from the Arms Trade Treaty negotiations
You might notice a few changes to this blog over the next few weeks and during the UN conference (2-27 July). It's really important, for the campaign to gain momentum in the run-up to July, to build our audience and make the Arms Trade Treaty something that everyone understands as a no-brainer, from academics, to diplomats, to the ordinary woman or man in your local pub.
“We will not enjoy development without security, we will not enjoy security without development, and we will not enjoy either without respect for human rights. Unless all these causes are advanced, none will succeed.”Former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan
Every day our TV screens are full of images of the horror from several cities in Syria where civilians are being abused and killed. Despite worldwide condemnation, the abuse continues, and appallingly, arms and ammunition that are being used to commit human rights abuses continue to be supplied.
Small Arms Survey Research Note 15:
The UN calendar for 2012 includes important markers in international arms control, with eight weeks of UN meetings assigned to two separate processes: the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (PoA). The fact that both processes include arms control measures has led some diplomats and members of the arms control community to speculate as to the relationship between the two and the future role of the PoA should an ATT be agreed.
The final day of the Prep Com was devoted to a review of the latest Draft Chair's Summary prepared by the Chair , which incorporated much of the previous days' discussions and seemed to find considerable informal and formal support by states.
by Dr. Robert Zuber, Global Action to Prevent War
Tuesday afternoon’s discussion at the UN Programme of Action (UNPoA) preparatory committee (PrepCom) focused on follow-up mechanisms to the Second Review Conference, to be held later in 2012. At stake is the effective implementation of the UNPoA and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI); many states are keen to develop a six-year implementation plan leading up to the 2018 Review Conference in order to seize key opportunities and tackle key challenges in making sure the UNPoA achieves its objectives. However, as dialogue continued throughout the afternoon, it became clear that at least a few states are hesitant to consider new formulas for moving ahead, arguing that any new mechanisms for implementation would be outside the scope or mandate of the original UNPoA.
by Ray Acheson, Reaching Critical Will of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
Independent views, reports and analysis on the Arms Trade Treaty Negotiations at the United Nations.
NOTE: All views expressed on this blog are solely those of the contributing authors only and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the supporting organizations.
Independent views, reports and analysis on the Arms Trade Treaty Negotiations at the United Nations.
NOTE: All views expressed on this blog are solely those of the contributing authors only and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the supporting organizations.
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