An overwhelming number of United Nations Member States voted to introduce a global Arms Trade Treaty which would regulate the international trade and transfer of conventional arms. 

For about ten years, several States and civil society groups have lamented the absence of global standards which can regulate the $70 billion business in conventional arms and also stop the transfer of arms to groups and regimes which would use them to cause human suffering. 

UN Secretary General, Ban ki-Moon welcomed the vote, he said "the treaty will help keep warlords, pirates, terrorists, criminals and their like from acquiring deadly arms." In the same note, civil society groups have welcomed the outcome saying the treaty will save lives and that it marks "an incredible moment" signaling the dawn of a new era. 

The official UN tally showed 154 votes in favour, 3 against, and 23 States abstained. The results were remarkable considering that Iran, North Korea and Syria had blocked the Treaty's adoption by consensus only five days earlier on the last day of the Final Conference. 

While many States in explaining their votes were critical of the shortcomings of the treaty and the fact that the treaty seemed to place less burden on exporting States, they were however optimistic that it would create binding obligations for governments to assess all transfers of conventional arms to ensure that their end use will not contribute to violations of human rights, terrorism, transnational organized crime or violations of international humanitarian law. 

Iran, North Korea and Syria which all voted against the resolution, are concerned that their arms imports would be affected as exporters would be mandated by the treaty to  consider some risks before approving a transfer. While Russia and China did not block, they joined Venezuela, India, Nicaragua, Oman and others in abstaining. Another major concern for these States is that the treaty  does not explicitly ban transfers to armed groups which they found to be unacceptable. 

The United States which blocked the adoption of the treaty by consensus in the July 2012 Conference voted in favour of the treaty. While it is unlikely that the United States, which is also the world's largest arms exporter will ratify the treaty, its decision to vote in support despite fierce opposition from the National Rifle Association,  was welcomed by many States. 

All CARICOM Member States voted in favour of the treaty and they are expected to sign when the treaty opens for signature on June 3, 2013. It will enter into force after the 50th signatory ratifies it. 

The unfortunate ending of the Final Conference on the UN Arms Trade Treaty is just another justification for the argument that UN Member States cannot unanimously agree on the most important issues affecting mankind. 

The Conference unceremoniously ended last night having been unable to reach a deal after Iran, North Korea and Syria blocked adoption of the treaty by consensus as required in the Rules of Procedure agreed at the beginning of the Conference. While this was not surprising given that these group of States have traditionally adopted radical and often regressive positions on important global issues, it however reignites further concerns regarding the suitability of 'decision making by consensus' at the United Nations.

All is not lost, several other States including Trinidad and Tobago on behalf of CARICOM Member States, took the floor to support Kenya's proposal to take the text to the General Assembly for a vote after the President of the Conference, Ambassador Woolcott, delivers his report to the Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, on Tuesday 2 April, 2013. 

Oxfam's Head of Arms Control, Anna McDonald said "the world has been held hostage by three States. We have known all along that the consensus process was deeply flawed and today we see it actually dysfunctional. Countries such as Iran, Syria and DPRK should not be allowed to dictate to the rest of the world how the sale of weapons should be regulated." While Campaigners were disappointed with the outcome, the Control Arms Coalition noted that "the historic treaty is still within reach." 

Two More Days to Get It Right 

The final conference on the Arms Trade Treaty kicked off with strong statements during the General Exchange of Views by States on their expectations from the Conference. The conference is being chaired by President-Designate, Ambassador Peter Woolcott of Australia who was unanimously endorsed as President of the conference. 
 In addressing the delegates for the first time, President Ambassador Woolcott said he shared the “broad disappointment” of delegates in July 2012, but that this sentiment had now given way to “determination”. He said the “world is ready for the ATT” and that it was “time to finish the job” and that delegates must now work “towards a consensus outcome.” 
Ban Ki Moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations, also addressed the Conference ( http://www.un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=6662 ). “After a very long journey, our final destination is in sight – a robust Arms Trade Treaty. It is a long time coming” he said. The continuing “absence of the rule of law in the conventional arms trade defies explanation” he remarked. He said that poorly regulated international arms deals ”undermine sustainable development”, “foster armed conflict” and “lead to massive human rights violations and threaten gender empowerment.” He concluded by saying “You are here to strengthen and conclude the work that has been done in earnest since the beginning of the ATT process in 2006.” 
Ambassador Eden Charles, Lead Negotiator for CARICOM, was one of the speakers who took the floor in the morning. He called for a “robust and effective” treaty. He also noted CARICOM's strong views that ammunition and parts and components must be in the scope of the treaty and that the text on diversion needed to be strengthened. CARICOM called for the treaty to include provisions for transparent reporting and an independent Secretariat. CARICOM said it “will not support use of the consensus rule as a way of derailing process.”Members of Caribbean civil society are also participating in the conference.  
 
10 March 2013

CARICOM Member States prepare for the Final Conference 

Following a successful conclusion of the regional preparatory workshop for the Final Arms Trade TreatyConference, CARICOM delegates to the 18-28 March Conference in New York are hopeful that UN States can agree to a Robust Treaty which will not only regulate the global trade in conventional arms and curb the diversions of arms into the illicit market.  

Fourth Regional Workshop on Negotiations for the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty  

The Government of St.Vincent and the Grenadines, in conjunction with the Government of Australia and the Caribbean Coalition for Development and the Reduction of Armed Violence, hosted the Fourth Regional Workshop on Negotiation of an Arms Trade Treaty during the period March 6-7, 2013 in Kingstown. 

The workshop was convened to allow CARICOM Member States to discuss the outcome of the Diplomatic Conference of July 2-27, 2012 and to agree on negotiating positions and strategies in preparation for the Final Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty, which is scheduled to take place at the United Nations Headquarters, New York during the period March 18-28, 2013. 

 

 

New York – July 19, 2012 – With roughly eight (8) more days left, negotiations have intensified at the United Nations in New York as Member States assiduously work towards a treaty that can potentially regulate the global trade in conventional arms. 

CARICOM Member States are hopeful that an agreement can be reached on a robust and legally binding treaty to control the licit trade in conventional arms and prevent the diversion of arms to the illicit market and illegal activities across the region.

The treaty is expected to cover all international transfers of conventional arms including small arms which is a major concern for Caribbean populations given the increasing gun homicides that plague the region.

The Lead Negotiator for CARICOM is Ambassador Eden Charles of Trinidad and Tobago who has emphasised the importance of small arms and ammunition to Caribbean countries.




Civil society organisations from Guyana, Jamaica and St Vincent and the Grenadines are attending the meeting led by the Women's Institute for Alternative Development (WINAD) of Trinidad and Tobago.

Folade Mutota, WINAD stated, "an ATT without small arms and light weapons as well as ammunition is unacceptable to Caribbean people.  Our communities are under siege from the diversion of firearms to the illicit market and the consequent murderous acts and trauma experienced in too many communities.  The ATT must meet our needs".
 
The Diplomatic Conference on the ATT ends July 27.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact WINAD for details including ticket information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Trinidad and Tobago - Parliament debates the Anti-Gang Bill, 2010 as part of its attack on criminal activities in the country.

 

 

 

 

Trinidad and Tobago - The Senate debates the Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2010 which seeks to increase the penalties for certain offences involving a firearm or any prohibited weapon, as defined by the Firearms Act, by up to 50 percent.

 

 

 

 

St. Lucia Non-State Actors Panel -Report on Rising Crime in St. Lucia

 

Turks and Caicos Islands - Statement on the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Legislation

 

In 2010, the Women’s Institute for Alternative Development (WINAD), in collaboration with the Hope Support Group and the European Union embarked on a timely project to document the impact of armed violence on women particularly those who have lost children to armed violence. The primary aim of this project is to investigate and document the challenges of losing a direct relative (child, son, daughter, husband etc) to armed violence and the impact of such loss to women and families. Click for complete summary

 

 

 

 

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To provide civil society leadership in the prevention and alleviation of armed violence and the pursuit of development in the Caribbean, guided by the principles of a rights based approach.

 

 

The development of the region and the reduction of armed violence by mobilizing Caribbean civil society to engage in research and advocacy to influence through collaboration, , and capacity building.

 

 

 Mobilise civil society partners throughout the region around the issue of armed violence.

 

 

1. To build strategic partnerships within individual states and across states

 

 

2. To facilitate cooperation between regional institutions and international agencies

 

 

3. To promote and develop awareness raising campaigns on development and armed violence

 

 

4. To enhance the capacity of partners through on development and armed violence

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