Arms Trade

The unregulated global arms trade inflicts misery worldwide. Every year thousands of people are killed, injured, raped and/or forced to flee their homes as a result.

There are at least 640 million firearms in existence in the world today.  That’s one for every ten people on the planet.

Amnesty International has joined with Oxfam and the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) to set up the Control Arms campaign.

The campaign calls for an international, legally binding Arms Trade Treaty that could save thousands of lives and hold irresponsible arms dealers to account.

The Control Arms campaign has published many reports and has organized more than 100 People’s Consultations in more than 40 countries around the world to give people and communities a forum to demand that their governments take action for tough international arms controls.

Since it started in October 2003, Control Arms has gathered the support of more than one million people worldwide.

An historic vote at the UN General Assembly in December 2006, saw 153 governments vote for a resolution to start the process for a global Arms Trade Treaty, in 2007.

You can find out more, and add your voice and face to the campaign, at:

www.controlarms.org

 

News and Updates

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.

Photo exhibition promotes Arms Trade Treaty at the UN

30 October 2009

A photo exhibition compiled and staged at the UN by the Control Arms Campaign aims to influence negotiations for an effective International Arms Trade Treaty.

World's biggest arms traders promise global arms treaty

30 October 2009

The vast majority of governments – 153 in total - agreed a timetable to establish a "strong and robust" Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) at the United Nations on Friday.

US Joins Arms Trade Treaty Talks, But At High Price

15 October 2009

NGOs welcome US support but warn that proposal to give every Member State veto power would weaken not strengthen future Treaty.

UN event hears the need for human rights in global Arms Trade Treaty

8 October 2009

More than 100 government officials from around the world attended an event at the United Nations where Amnesty International launched a new briefing on the arms trade.