Arms control and human rights

War crimes, unlawful killings, torture and other serious human rights abuses have been committed around the world using a wide range of weapons, munitions and military and security equipment. These are often provided to perpetrators in almost unlimited supply, encouraging and prolonging unlawful violence. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, injured, raped and forced to flee from their homes as a result. Global society has no treaty to ensure the strict control of the international trade in conventional arms, while governments license irresponsible arms flows to fuel human atrocities and abuse.

States must stop allowing irresponsible transfers of arms and be made accountable to the international community. That is why since the 1990s Amnesty International has been campaigning for a global treaty to set rules for the strict regulation of the international arms trade.

Now an international Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is finally within reach. Leading up to the Final ATT UN Conference in March 2013, all governments must complete the negotiations of the text of the treaty. Amnesty International believes it is crucial that the treaty includes:

  • Strong rules that protect human rights, preventing arms from being sent when there is a danger the recipients will use those arms to seriously violate human rights;
  • A control list that includes all types of weapons, munitions and other arms;
  • Clear rules to apply and monitor the Treaty with regular public reporting to ensure the treaty rules are enforced.

Our message is simple – if there is a substantial risk that arms exported to another country will contribute to serious human rights abuses or war crimes, those arms supplies must be stopped.

No more arms for atrocities or abuses!

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The threats to human rights of the international trade in conventional arms is not the only arms control issue addressed by Amnesty International. We also research and take action on problems posed by inhumane weapons of warfare, ‘less lethal’ weapons and inhumane technologies used in policing and prisons.

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News and Updates

Arms proliferation and abuse shatter communities in Côte d'Ivoire

20 March 2013

A new Amnesty International report says that reckless and illegal arms supplies from Europe, Africa and China continue to fuel grave human rights abuses in the country.

UN: Don’t waste historic chance for a lifesaving Arms Trade Treaty

18 March 2013

World leaders must address the poorly regulated global arms trade that fuels grave human rights abuses of tens of millions of people and claims countless lives each year, Amnesty International said from the UN.

From ‘Days of Rage’ to raging conflict - Two years of turmoil in Syria

15 March 2013

Two years since the Syrian uprising began, we speak to Amnesty Researcher Cilina Nasser and Senior Crisis Advisor Donatella Rovera about the conflict so far.

World powers urged to support a robust Arms Trade Treaty

12 March 2013

Arms supplied by the world’s major powers are among those contributing to the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and blighting the livelihoods of millions of people every year.

Global Arms Trade Treaty – a beginners’ guide

11 March 2013

Amnesty International’s arms expert Brian Wood explains how the uncontrolled flow of arms is ruining millions of lives and how it can be stopped.

Reports

Controls on military assistance to Somalia must be tightened

21 January 2010

Arms transfers should be suspended until there are adequate safeguards to prevent weapons from being used to commit war crimes and human rights abuses, says Amnesty International.

How to Apply Human Rights Standards to Arms Transfer Decisions

1 October 2008

In order to achieve a more effective regulation of the international arms trade, all international transfers of conventional weaponry, munitions and equipment should be carried out in accordance with states’ legal obligations. All states have obligations under international human rights law applicable to transfers of conventional arms. The purpose of this document is to assist states and regional organisations in applying their human rights obligations. It proposes guidelines for assessing the risk of a proposed transfer being used for serious violations of human rights.

Arms Trade Treaty could fail without human rights

17 September 2008

Every year, more than 300,000 people are killed with conventional weapons. Millions more are injured, abused, forcibly displaced and bereaved as a result of armed v