4 April 2013
General Assembly approves Arms Trade Treaty
On 2 April the General Assembly voted in favour of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) with an overwhelming majority of 154 to 3 with 23 abstentions. The ATT addresses the irresponsible international trade in conventional arms, and prohibits states from authorizing the export of conventional weapons if there is an overriding risk that they could be used to commit or facilitate serious human rights abuses and serious violations of international humanitarian law. The ATT will open for signature on 3 June and enter into force 90 days after being ratified by the fiftieth signatory.
Source: UNGA/11354 | Overwhelming Majority of States in General Assembly Say ‘Yes’ to Arms Trade Treaty to Stave off Irresponsible Transfers that Perpetuate Conflict, Human Suffering
Source: The New York Times | U.N. Treaty Is First Aimed at Regulating Global Arms Sales
Source: Reuters | U.N. overwhelmingly approves global arms trade treaty