Arms Trade
Security
http://www.themorningsidepost.com/2011/04/07/u-n-arms-trade-treaty-uncertain-future/
24 December
2014
Arms
trade treaty takes effect Wednesday
NEW YORK,
Dec. 24, Kyodo
The
first multilateral treaty requiring states to regulate the flow of conventional
weapons to keep them off the black market took effect Wednesday after 61
countries became state parties as of Tuesday.
The
United States, the largest exporter of conventional arms, and Russia have not
joined the pact, and their participation will be an essential factor in gauging
its effectiveness.
The
instrument bans countries from engaging in trade activities such as export,
import, transit and brokering sales of weapons if there are risks that they
could be used for "crimes against humanity." It is expected to curb
civilian casualties in conflicts.
U.N.
Secretary General Ban Ki Moon welcomed the treaty's coming into effect.
"This marks the opening of a new chapter in our collective efforts to
bring responsibility, accountability and transparency to the global arms
trade," he said in a statement.
The
treaty had been ratified by at least 50 states, including Japan, by late
September, the threshold necessary for it to be legally binding. In line with
provisions of the treaty, it came into force on Wednesday.
Subject
to the pact are a broad range of conventional arms including battle tanks,
attack helicopters, warships and firearms. Signatory states are required to
keep a log of traded items and regularly report from it.
These
states are expected to discuss how the treaty will be managed at a meeting
sometime next year, according to the United Nations.
The
idea of regulating the trade of conventional arms was first proposed in the
1990s by international nongovernmental organizations. Britain and Japan took up
the proposal at the United Nations in 2006.
In
April 2013, the U.N. General Assembly adopted the treaty by a majority vote.
Major arms exporters France, Germany and Britain joined the pact in April of
this year and Japan followed suit the following month as the 32nd member state.
The
United States has signed, but it remains unknown if Congress will approve it.
China, North Korea and Iran were among the countries that have not signed it.
Kyodo
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