Small Arms will also be regulated by the Arms Trade Treaty

The fourth and last Arms Trade Treaty PrepCom in New York started on a high note with most of the states and civil society organizations represented at this important and historical meeting. The conference hall was filled to capacity but this is not surprising given that the ATT negotiations are on their final leg as the date - 27th July 2012- of signing the treaty draws nigh.

The Global trade in conventional weapons from warships and battle tanks to fighter jets and machine guns remains poorly regulated. No set of internationally agreed standards exist to ensure that arms are only transferred for appropriate use. Many governments have voiced concerns about the absence of globally agreed rules for all states to guard their decisions on arms transfers. This is the basis of negotiating an Arms Trade Treaty.

Delegates are calling up on all states to fully participate in the ATT negotiations.  The guiding principle or slogan is that “we should not disagree until everything is agreed.”

For the first time in the history of ATT Preparation committee meetings, Zimbabwe and USA have joined the rest of the world to support the ATT process.

Another important achievement  is the inclusion of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and ammunitions (which were previously opposed) among the weapons that the ATT seeks to regulate.  The proposal to include SALW was highlighted in the statement from Uganda which was read by head of the delegation Mr. Ahmed Wafuba, the coordinator of the NFP, Kampala Uganda.

EASSI formed part of the delegation from Uganda and we are pleased to have SALW on the list of arms to be regulated by the treaty. We continue to advocate against illicit proliferation of arms in Eastern Africa and to urge member states not to ignore the gender dimensions of these arms.This, we have done through the establishment of a gender and SALW institute that takes place once every year. The Institute enhances the capacity of participants to implement their programmes with gender lens.