Worrying Trends on ‘Conventional Weapons Horizon’, Speaker Tells First Committee, Alleging Devastation of Entire Regions from Arms Manufactured Elsewhere
It was ironic that the weapons that propelled and sustained conflict, causing a series of regional arms races in volatile parts of the world where non-State actors wreaked havoc on civilian populations, came from areas that enjoyed peace and stability, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) heard today as it embarked on its thematic debate on conventional weapons.
Several worrying trends were emerging on the “conventional weapons horizon”, the representative of Pakistan said. Rising military expenditures were accompanied by increasing sophistication in conventional weaponry and technology, the likes of which were being traded in large quantities. New markets were being explored, created and sought after, with little regard for the destabilizing impact of those weapons on regional security and stability.
She said that senior officials from the selling nations, while trying to facilitate talks to ease tensions, used such occasions to lobby for the sale of sophisticated military equipment produced by their national manufacturers, marketing their weapons even as they sought to mediate peace.
It was a sad reality, said South Africa’s representative, that suffering in some regions, such as on the African continent, was often caused by weapons manufactured elsewhere. The Arms Trade Treaty would contribute to promoting international and regional peace, security and stability and to reducing human suffering by addressing the scourge of armed violence, which was too often directed at innocent women and children.
Speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, the representative of Indonesia pointed to a serious imbalance in the possession and trade in conventional weapons between the industrialized and non-aligned countries. He called for a significant reduction in the production, possession and trade of conventional weapons by industrialized nations, while also reaffirming the sovereign right of States to acquire, manufacture, import, export and retain conventional weapons for their self-defence and security needs.
It remained to be seen, said India’s representative, whether the Arms Trade Treaty’s entry into force would have a meaningful impact on the ground, especially in terms of correcting the imbalance between the rights of exporting and importing States and in stemming the flow of arms to terrorists and non-State armed groups. Perhaps it was too early to draw definitive conclusions, but “current trends do not offer much hope”. Illicit transfers, including of small arms and light weapons, to terrorists and non-State actors, was still a major threat.
The global illicit arms trade was dangerously out of control, the representative of Singapore asserted. There had been more than 250 armed conflicts in the past decade, leading to more than 50,000 deaths each year, record levels of displacement, lost livelihoods and lost opportunities to eliminate poverty. The widespread availability of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition, particularly their misuse, diversion and illicit circulation, had been a key enabler of such conflicts.
Indeed, there was a growing awareness of the gravity of violence to individuals and communities caused or facilitated by weapons misuse, Australia’s representative said. His country had strengthened its national regulations of the private use of firearms in 1996, and the results were measurably clear in the reduction of homicides and suicides. His country took the threat posed by the proliferation and misuse of conventional arms seriously; violence diminished everyone, hampered development and threatened stability, security and well-being, and addressing those challenges would require a common commitment and vision.
The representative of Iraq, whose territory had been “hardest hit” from some 25 million land mines on its territory, said the situation was further compounded by the presence of terrorist groups, including the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/Sham (ISIL/ ISIS), which planted explosive devices in large parts of the country. He called on the international community to provide assistance to Iraq to eliminate that scourge once and for all.
During the meeting, the representative of South Africa introduced a draft on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects; the representative of Nigeria introduced a draft on the United Nationals Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa on behalf of the African Group; and the representative of Croatia tabled a draft on the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Also speaking were the representatives of Egypt (on behalf of the Arab Group), Uruguay (on behalf of UNASUR), Republic of Moldova, Guyana (on behalf of the Caribbean Community), Algeria, United States, France, Israel, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Japan, Switzerland, Senegal, China, Ireland, Croatia, Italy, Egypt (national capacity), New Zealand, Cuba, Nigeria (on behalf of the African Group), Thailand, Libya, Romania, Austria, Republic of Korea, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Ecuador, United Kingdom, Mexico, Bangladesh, Serbia, Spain, Zambia, Turkey, Slovakia, Jamaica, Russian Federation, Ghana, Liberia, Mozambique, Morocco, Finland, Eritrea, Lithuania, Kuwait, Sweden, Iran, as well as a representative of the European Union.
The Chair of the Second Open-Ended Meeting of Governmental Experts on the Implementation of the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects delivered an address at the start of the meeting.
The representatives of Syria and the United States spoke in exercise of the right of reply.
The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 27 October, to continue its thematic debate.
Introduction of Governmental Experts on Small Arms Programme of Action
VLAD LUPAN (Republic of Moldova), Chair of the Second Open-Ended Meeting of Governmental Experts under the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects, said that the meeting had had four agenda items, including the implications of recent developments in the manufacturing, technology and design for the effective marking, record-keeping and tracing of such weapons and practical steps to ensure the effectiveness of those processes. States agreed that recent technological developments had the potential to both positively and negatively impact the illicit arms trade. Some might assist States in fulfilling their obligations under the Programme of Action. However, challenges such as the “3D printing” of weapons, now offered the possibility of new forms of “craft production”. The meeting had also focused on the adequacy of existing voluntary trust fund mechanisms for international cooperation and assistance, including technology transfer.
Thematic Debate, Conventional Weapons
EMAD MORCOS MATTAR (Egypt), speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, called on the international community to combat the dangerous phenomenon of the illegal conventional weapons trade. The Group urged implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty, in line with the individual rights of States to possess and manufacture conventional weapons for national defence. The Group was deeply concerned about the remaining mines and explosives on their lands, particularly those left over from the Second World War, which had grave impacts. He called on the States responsible for placing those mines and explosives to identify their locations. It was important to discuss the issue with all its dimensions, including legal, humanitarian, military and moral, applying the agreed principles and rules.
CLAUDIA GARCIA MOYANO (Uruguay), speaking on behalf of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), drew attention to the multidimensional nature of the small arms and light weapons problem. She was concerned about their uncontrolled spread and effect on civilians, which was having adverse consequences in many countries and was impeding their implementation of the new development goals. Any instruments governing the illicit trafficking in weapons must include munitions and explosives. The non-binding nature of the Programme of Action was an obstacle to its effective implementation, and the international community should closely follow up on an ongoing basis. In 2001, the Union had created a working group on firearms and munitions to exchange national experiences and harmonize legislation. Coordinated international responses were the only way forward in tackling that transnational phenomenon. UNASUR supported the regulation of cluster munitions as well, to substantially reduce the humanitarian fallout from their use. In particular, she welcomed the outcome of the first Review Conference on the Convention on Cluster Munitions, in Dubrovnik. Anti-personnel mines also must be eliminated, and she highlighted mine clearance efforts under way in the region, owing to cooperation among UNASUR’s member States.
VLAD LUPAN (Republic of Moldova), speaking in his national capacity and associating with the European Union, said that when effectively implemented, the Arms Trade Treaty could make trade in conventional weapons more responsible and transparent, reduce human suffering, and contribute noticeably to international peace, security and stability. He stressed that the Treaty should not only ensure the transparency and accountability of transfers in those weapons, but should also help to prevent their illicit trafficking, particularly to separatist entities. That was of vital importance to his country and in the current complex regional security context. In that connection, he called for a combination of both legally binding as well as political commitments in Europe that would clearly include the principle of host-nation consent to the stationing of foreign military forces.
GEORGE TALBOT (Guyana), speaking for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said that the proliferation and misuse of conventional weapons continued to cause a devastating and lasting impact, endangering security and development everywhere. Member States of the Caribbean Community were not a host to arms manufacturing, but bore the consequences of the unregulated arms trade, which required a coordinated and holistic approach and the assistance of all partners. Manufacturing States, in particular, bore an ethical responsibility and should carry the greater burden in addressing the negative consequences of such weapons. The road to Arms Trade Treaty — the first legally binding instrument regulating those weapons — was not an easy one, but those that supported it saw it as a means to save lives and maintain peace and security. The effective implementation of its normative standards would contribute to weakening the arms trade regime.
He said the second convening of the governmental expert group had reaffirmed the international community’s commitment to the Programme of Action and had identified action-oriented approaches to recent trends in weapons manufacturing and technology as well as implementation challenges. An important issue for the Caribbean Community was the widening technological gap between developed and developing countries. It was imperative that developing countries advance their tracing and record-keeping systems. Equipment transfers were another major challenge. Implementation of the Action Programme remained uneven within and across regions, he added.
IOANNIS VRAILAS (European Union) hailed the Arms Trade Treaty as a landmark instrument, which provided for robust and effective international standards for regulating the international trade, making it more responsible and transparent in reducing the illicit flows. Importantly, the Arms Trade Treaty introduced the concept of gender-based violence as a factor to be taken into account when assessing exports. The United Nations Programme of Action was an important tool with which to respond to the challenges posed by the illicit trade and excessive accumulation of small arms and light weapons. The Union was also strongly committed to the implementation of the International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons, which it believed could be strengthened by taking into account new developments in technology in the marking, record-keeping and tracing.
The European Union and its member States were united in pursuing the objectives of the Mine-Ban Convention, he said, noting their commitment as well to providing resources to fund mine action including clearance, as well as concrete and sustainable assistance to the survivors of those attacks, their families and communities. That would pave the way for reconstruction as well as economic and social development. The Union was also concerned by the worldwide indiscriminate use of improvised explosive devices and their effects, particularly on civilians, and highly valued the discussions and substantive exchange of views on that topic in the Convention on Conventional Weapons.
KARIM AIT-ABDESLAM (Algeria), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement, the African Group and the Arab Group, said that the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons represented a constant source of major concern for the international community because they continued to fuel terrorism and organized crime. The United Nations Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument should be implemented in a balanced and effective way, for which international cooperation and assistance were essential. In that respect, Algeria continued to engage with the countries of the Sahel on security matters as well as technical assistance programmes. Affected by the landmine problem since the colonial era, Algeria continued to devote great efforts to ensure their total elimination. The Mine-Ban Convention remained the appropriate regulatory framework to defeat that scourge, and its implementation and universality, therefore, were necessary steps to eliminating forever the danger of those deadly weapons.
TEHMINA JANJUA (Pakistan) said that for over a century now, the international community had undertaken several efforts to regulate conventional armaments, before, between and after the First and Second World Wars, in Asia, Europe and elsewhere. However, due to the complex interplay of strategic, political, commercial and security interest of States and other actors, those attempts so far, had been partially successful. As a result, those weapons continued to fuel conflicts, destabilize States and societies, and inflict enormous pain and suffering. Several worrying trends were emerging on the “conventional weapons horizon”. Global military expenditures were rising again, and spending on conventional weapons had increased 50 per cent in the last decade. The growing military expenditure was accompanied by the increasing sophistication in conventional weaponry and technology, the likes of which were being traded in large quantities.
Developing countries were the primary recipients and “favoured” destination for arms sales, she said. New markets were being explored, created and sought after, with little regard to the destabilizing impact of those weapons on regional security and stability. The result was a series of regional arms races, mostly in volatile parts of the world, including where non-State actors wreaked havoc on civilian populations. While trying to facilitate talks to ease tensions, senior officials of the selling nations had used such occasions to lobby for the sale of sophisticated military equipment produced by their national manufacturers, marketing their weapons even as they sought to mediate peace. It was ironic that the weapons that propelled and sustained conflict came from areas that enjoyed peace and stability.
CHRISTOPHER L. BUCK (United States) said his country would work on the Arms Trade Treaty process to keep the door open to States that were not yet ready to join. He called on those countries that had not signed it to consider doing so as soon as possible. The Treaty was not a solution by itself to the problems of armed conflict that plagued the world, but it was a tool that States could use energetically and effectively, to address that problem. The United States would also continue to urge fellow Member States to fully implement the United Nations Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons and the International Tracing Instrument. He said the threat posed by Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) had increased significantly in recent years, and his country was cooperating with partners around the globe to secure those missiles, prevent their smuggling by extremists, and protect the targets that terrorists sought to attack.
ALICE GUITTON (France), associating with the European Union, said that the decisions made at the first meeting of States parties to the Arms Trade Treaty in Cancun had addressed the goals set by negotiators. Indeed, a new chapter was being written for that Treaty. Small arms and light weapons had a profoundly destabilizing effect and hindered development in the “most fragile States”. France was carrying out projects to secure arms depots and destroy excess munitions in Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, the Central African Republic, Guinea and South Sudan.
Within the framework of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, her country, she said, had continued discussions on lethal autonomous weapons systems, which it had initiated in 2014. Also in the framework of that Convention, France would continue to coordinate, with the Republic of Moldova, discussions of the informal group of experts on improvised explosive devices, which were a threat, not only to civilians and security forces, but also to the stability of affected societies. In Syria, “indiscriminate bombing” with barrels of explosives was the primary cause of numerous victims and significant refugee flows. France condemned those attacks which had “dramatic consequences” for civilians.
FOO KHEE LOON (Singapore), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement, said “the global illicit arms trade remains dangerously out of control”. There had been over 250 armed conflicts in the past decade, leading to more than 50,000 deaths each year, record levels of displacement, lost livelihoods and lost opportunities to eliminate poverty. The widespread availability of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition, particularly their misuse, diversion and illicit circulation, had been a key enabler of such conflicts. The international community must not let up on its efforts to address that problem.
While his delegation reaffirmed the sovereign right of States to acquire weapons for legitimate self-defence and responsible law enforcement, it also believed, he said, that States must fulfil their broader responsibilities and legal obligations with respect to arms transfers. He welcomed the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty and the convening of the First Conference of States Parties, adding that enhanced international and regional cooperation coupled with national efforts would successfully contribute to the reduction of uncontrolled and destabilizing flows of conventional arms to unintended end-users.
MICHAL SEHAYEK-SOROKA (Israel) said that, over the course of the past year, the strategic situation in the Middle East had continued to deteriorate and its stability had become unpredictable and more fragile than ever. Weapons were acquired and proliferated in the region through numerous illicit routes and means, for example, through smuggling, looting and even local production by terrorist groups. Vigilance should be accorded to the transfer of know-how, technology and expertise and to Iran’s continued weapons transfers to terrorist organizations, which were violations of numerous Security Council resolutions and international norms.
The threat of man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS), short-range rockets, mortars and surface-to-air missiles deserved special attention, he said, stressing that those weapons systems, mainly MANPADS, could cause grave tragedies and should only be in the hands of responsible sovereign States under appropriate stockpile management arrangements. Welcoming the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty, to which Israel was a signatory, he said that the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons was also an important instrument and the right forum for discussing many challenges in the conventional sphere. He welcomed the work undertaken by that body on the issue of lethal autonomous weapons systems, as well as on improvised explosive devices. The issue of lethal autonomous weapons, in particular, needed to be explored further in both its technical and legal aspects.
HENK COR VAN DER KWAST (Netherlands), associating with the European Union, welcomed the fact that 77 States had already ratified the Arms Trade Treaty and called upon all others to do so as soon as possible. It was now time to “turn our attention to the substance” and to begin implementing the Treaty. Transparency and reporting by States would be a determining element for the instrument’s eventual success. The Netherlands looked forward to assuming the presidency of the Convention on Cluster Munitions — one the “success stories” in conventional disarmament — in January 2016. The country would contribute 250,000 Euros to that Convention’s Implementation Support Unit over the next five years.
Turning to anti-personnel mines, whose use had decreased considerably over the last 15 years, he said that more remained to be done. In that regard, it was up to all States to implement the Maputo Action Plan and to assist countries with mine fields. On the issue of lethal autonomous weapons systems, he said that one thing was clear: international law and, in particular, international humanitarian law was the framework through which States must consider the legality of such weapon systems. To make progress, discussions could focus on deepening the international community’s understanding of what was meant by “meaningful human control”. The Netherlands had started a multi-year research programme to develop its own national perspective on that issue.
DAVID ROBIN WENSLEY (South Africa) said that the implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty would contribute to promoting international and regional peace, security and stability and to reducing human suffering by addressing the scourge of armed violence, which was too often directed at innocent women and children. He welcomed the appointment of South Africa’s Dumisani Dladla as head of that Treaty’s secretariat for the coming year, and called on States that had not yet ratified or acceded to the Treaty, especially major conventional arms producers and exporters, to do so. His country had become the ninety-second State party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions earlier this year, he noted, adding that it was a “sad reality” that suffering on the African continent had often been caused by weapons manufactured elsewhere. At this session, South Africa introduced, on behalf of its two main sponsors and co-authors, Colombia and Japan, an annual draft resolution titled “The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects”.
JOHN QUINN (Australia) said that over the past year, the international community had seen encouraging forward movement in conventional weapons control. Small arms and light weapons continued to pose a grave threat to civilians, peacekeepers, humanitarian workers, and civil society organizations. Australia remained firmly committed to curbing that threat through the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 2117 (2013). There was a growing awareness of the gravity of violence to individuals and communities caused or facilitated by weapons misuse. Australia had strengthened its regulations of the private use of firearms in 1996, and the results were measurably clear in the reduction of homicides and suicides in the country. Australia remained committed to all protocols of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, and strongly supported the need for continued international efforts to reduce the inhumane suffering those weapons caused. Australia took seriously the threat posed by the proliferation and misuse of conventional arms. Violence diminished everyone, hampered development and threatened stability, security and well-being. Addressing those challenges required a common commitment and vision.
VÁCLAV BÁLEK (Czech Republic) welcomed the success of the First Conference of the States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty, and urged further work on several other disarmament negotiations. The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons remained among the highest priorities. The Czech delegation urged additional momentum on regulating autonomous weapons systems, with the understanding that the international community must establish a shared set of norms regarding the ways in which those weapons should perform, in line with international humanitarian law and other legal frameworks, as technology developed.
On the Mine-Ban Convention, he said that the Maputo Action Plan had set out an ambitious road map for clearance, which remained a considerable challenge. The First Review of the Convention on Cluster Munitions had highlighted, once more, its need for guiding documents, such as the declaration and action plan agreed in Dubrovnik. Lastly, the Czech Republic was committed to working with all Member States to address the challenge of regulating small arms and light weapons within the framework of the United Nations Programme of Action. At the same time, his country supported measures to ensure adequate marking and record-keeping and to strengthen cooperation in those weapons’ illicit trade. Emerging technologies offered new opportunities for improved control and should be further considered in the implementation of the 2005 International Tracing Instrument.
MILOŠ VUKAŠINOVIĆ (Bosnia and Herzegovina) said today’s conflicts were aggravated by a complex combination of factors, including weak State institutions, ethnic strife, transnational crime, terrorism and extremists threats, as well as serious humanitarian and public health crises. Illicit trade in small arms and light weapons fuelled conflicts, undermined peace initiatives and lingered long after conflicts had ended. That also adversely impacted restoring and keeping the public peace in post-conflict countries. Illicit transfers and misuse of those weapons and their ammunition affected local and regional security and stability, causing human suffering, especially for the most vulnerable populations, in particular, displaced persons, returnees, women and children. He strongly supported the full implementation of international humanitarian and human rights laws that protected women’s rights in both armed conflict and peacetime.
He said that his country, as a post-conflict society, faced several challenges related to the control of small arms and light weapons. Although significant progress had been made, there was still a need for educational, financial and technical assistance in terms of the training and education of personnel, the provision of equipment and storage locations, and the destruction of small arms and light weapons.
TOSHIO SANO (Japan) said the administrative arrangement of the Arms Trade Treaty secretariat and reporting mechanism remained a central issue to be addressed in the coming year. That arrangement should be comprised of a small and efficient secretariat. Also essential was for States parties to agree on that arrangement at the extraordinary session of the Conference of States Parties early next year. A reporting mechanism was conducive to ensuring transparency. The Treaty’s universalization was an important challenge, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, and Japan would work towards a wider adherence to the Treaty in cooperation with other States and civil society. He attached importance to mine-action programmes, and said Japan had donated approximately $622 million towards that effort since 1998. It would continue its support with an emphasis on the clearance of unexploded ordnance, risk reduction education, and especially on the role of women.
BENNO LAGGNER (Switzerland) said that conventional weapons as primary tools of violence in armed conflicts required the world’s attention, as they remained an important factor in disarmament and international security. The early entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty was an important milestone because it established, for the first time, global standards regulating that trade and had, as its aim, reducing human suffering. The first Conference of States Parties, held in August, had resulted in several key procedural and administrative decisions for the Treaty’s proper functioning. While robots and other unmanned vehicles and technologies represented both challenges and opportunities, and raised fundamental ethical, legal, operational and political questions. The international community should focus on the possible development of weapon systems that attacked targets without appropriate human involvement. The issue should be discussed in the context of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.
GORGUI CISS (Senegal), associating with the African Group, said the Arms Trade Treaty was the first international convention to regulate the arms trade, and all States parties should implement its norms for weapons transactions, including those weapons used to commit crimes against humanity or war crimes. With the support of the majority of export and import States, the implementation of norms defined for conventional weapons transfers would assure arms control and help prevent genocide. The proliferation, illicit transfer, and storage of small arms and light weapons continued to jeopardize international peace and security and to have devastating consequences in conflict and post-conflict situations. The implementation of the Mine-Ban Convention was a priority aimed at ridding the world of those devices that “blindly spread death”. Particular attention must be paid to the socio-economic rehabilitation of victims.
KAUTHER AL-NADAWI (Iraq), associating with the Arab Group and the Non-Aligned Movement, said the challenges of conventional weapons were similar to those for weapons of mass destruction, as both had devastating effects. Iraq had joined most the relevant international control instruments, most recently the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, and it was regularly reporting on the obligations contained therein. Small arms and light weapons proliferation, illicit trafficking and stockpiling remained worrying for States, communities and the international community, given their lethal and destabilizing effects.
Of particular concern, he said, was the proliferation of anti-personnel land mines, explosive remnants of war and cluster munitions due to their detrimental impact on the environment and economic development. Everyone was aware that Iraq had been hardest-hit from the great number of land mines on its territory; more than 25 million had been planted in various regions, which gravely affected the lives of citizens and de-railed the return of internally displaced persons. The situation was further compounded by the presence of terrorist groups, including the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/Sham (ISIL/ ISIS), which planted explosive devices in large parts of the country. She called on the international community to provide assistance to Iraq to eliminate that scourge once and for all.
SUN LEI (China) attached great importance to conventional weapons-related issues, and said his Government was dedicated to addressing the humanitarian concerns caused by the indiscriminate use of certain conventional weapons. Humanitarian concerns and the legitimate military security needs of each nation must be addressed in a balanced way. As the main legal framework dealing with the humanitarian issues in that context, the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons had played an irreplaceable role. China, while seeking to promote domestic implementation, was actively devoted to international humanitarian mine clearance assistance. It had supplied more than 40 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America with mine-clearance equipment, technical training and victim assistance. A holistic approach should be taken to address both the root causes and symptoms of violence, he said, urging that international cooperation strengthened, with the United Nations as the main channel. Full and effective implementation of the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Document held the key to addressing the problems.
PATRICIA O’BRIEN (Ireland), associating with the European Union, noted the aim set by the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda to achieve a significant reduction in illicit arms flows. The Arms Trade Treaty was groundbreaking in its recognition of the gendered impact of illicit arms proliferation, and States should also recognize women’s agency as a “powerful force for change” in disarmament. Ireland had been a major contributor to mine clearance in affected countries for many years and was heartened to see tangible progress, but the use of depleted uranium deserved further research. She was appalled to hear well-substantiated reports of the recent use of cluster munitions in Libya, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen and South Sudan, and called on all parties to cease using those weapons, which a growing number of States had now recognized as inhumane and indiscriminate. She paid tribute to the crucial role played by civil society, which had helped achieve progress on “these old and new challenges” in conventional arms, which continued to “trouble the conscience of humanity”.
VLADIMIR DROBNJAK (Croatia), associating with the European Union, said the uncontrolled spread of conventional weapons posed a significant threat to security and stability. His country’s commitment to conventional arms control treaties lay primarily in the fact that those instruments made a tangible difference on the ground and demonstrated the impact that multilateral approaches could have on disarmament. He introduced the draft entitled “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions”, which would urge all States outside that Convention — of which there were many — to join it as soon as possible. The resolution would also express strong concern regarding recent allegations, reports or documented evidence of the use of cluster munitions in different parts of the world. The goal of the resolution was to contribute to universalizing and raising levels of implementation of the Convention’s provision on a global scale.
VINICIO MATI (Italy), associating with the European Union, expressed pleasure that destruction of his country’s cluster munitions stockpile would be completed at the end of the month, five years ahead of the deadline established by the Convention. Since 2001, Italy had supported mine action through a special fund, which had, to date, disbursed a total of 45 million Euros. It had also provided technical and material assistance, including training, and conducted direct mine-clearance activities. Mine action was part of national development efforts, rather than a strictly humanitarian concern. The full realization of victims’ political rights, their economic inclusion and adequate social protection should also be promoted. The specific needs of women must be taken into account when addressing the impacts of cluster munitions, mines and enhanced radiation weapons.
EMAD MORCOS MATTAR (Egypt), speaking in his national capacity and associating with the Non-Aligned Movement and Arab Group, urged all States to accede to the Arms Trade Treaty and implement it in good faith. The international community should continue to fill in its remaining gaps. The production and stockpiles of major arms-producing States must be brought under international scrutiny. International accountability was the only guarantee against the possible abuse of the imbalance that existed between major arms producers and the rest of the world. There was no more profound threat to peace and stability and the core principles of the United Nations Charter than the crimes of aggression and foreign occupation, which employed conventional arms arsenals to threaten and dominate peoples and deny them their basic human rights. The problem was spreading by the advancement in conventional weapons, and Egypt reiterated that “technology should not overtake humanity”.
DELL HIGGIE (New Zealand) said that all Member States wishing to advance human security and humanitarian outcomes had welcomed the fact that 2015 had been a year in which several important milestones had been achieved in the field of conventional arms. Her delegation had drawn satisfaction from the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty, and looked forward to the Nigerian presidency of the Second Conference of States Parties. All those placing a premium on protecting civilians, whether it was framed within or outside the United Nations, were pleased by the First Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. She shared the concerns of many regarding the complex legal and political challenges posed by lethal autonomous weapons systems. Given the pace of technological advances, the international community must ensure that decision-making and accountability in the development and use of those systems were in line with international law, including, in particular, international humanitarian law.
IVIAN DEL SOL (Cuba), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement, said that it was ironic that military expenditure was in the billions and trillions while countries complained of a lack of resources for economic and social development. Priority was given to certain categories of conventional weapons, such as small arms and light weapons, to the detriment of other weapons of greater sophistication with significantly more devastating effects. States had the right to manufacture and store conventional weapons to meet their defence needs. However, more was needed to combat the illicit trade. The United Nations had before it a historic opportunity to tackle that trade through the Arms Trade Treaty, however, the vote on its adoption had been divided, and thus, the treaty was not commensurate with the just needs of States. The Treaty’s limitations and imbalances favoured exporting States at the expense of the needs of other States. Cuba firmly supported the prohibition and total elimination of cluster munitions, and condemned their use as inconsistent with the international humanitarian law. Cuba hoped that it would soon be able to accede to the Convention.
VENKATESH VARMA (India), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement, said the illicit transfer of conventional weapons, including small arms and light weapons, to terrorists and non-State actors, remained a major threat to international peace and security and an impediment to the full realization of the 2030 Agenda. On landmines, India supported the approach enshrined in the amended Protocol II of the Certain Conventional Weapons convention, which addressed the legitimate defence requirements of States with long borders. That Protocol was also a useful framework for addressing improvised explosive devices, increasingly being used by terrorists and illegal armed groups.
He said that India continued to keep the Arms Trade Treaty under review from the perspective of the country’s defence, security and foreign policy interests. During that Treaty’s negotiations, India had raised concerns on a number of gaps, and those had not been resolved in the final text. It remained to be seen whether the Treaty’s entry into force would have a meaningful impact on the ground, in particular, in terms of correcting the imbalance between the rights of exporting and importing States and in stemming the flow of arms to terrorists and non-State armed groups. Perhaps it was too early to draw definitive conclusions, but “current trends do not offer much hope”.
KAMAPRADIPTA ISNOMO (Indonesia), speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, reaffirmed the sovereign right of States to acquire, manufacture, import, export and retain conventional weapons for their self-defence and security needs, and no undue restriction should be placed on such transfers. At the same time, the Movement remained concerned over the wide range of security, humanitarian and socio-economic consequences arising from the illicit manufacture, transfer and circulation of such weapons. He called on all States, particularly arms-producing States, to ensure that the supply of small arms and light weapons was limited only to Governments or to entities duly authorized by them. There was a significant imbalance in the possession and trade in conventional weapons between the industrialized and non-aligned countries, and he thus called for a significant reduction in the production, possession and trade of conventional weapons by the industrialized States with a view to enhancing international and regional peace and security.
He said the Movement continued to deplore the use of anti-personnel mines in conflict situations; those sought to maim, kill and terrorize innocent civilians. He also called on States in a position to do so to provide the necessary financial, technical and humanitarian assistance for mine clearance, as well as the social and economic rehabilitation of victims. Affected countries should have full access to equipment, technology and financial resources for that mission.
USMAN SARKI (Nigeria), speaking on behalf of the African Group and associating with the Non-Aligned Movement, said that the full implementation of the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument were key elements in promoting long-term security and creating conditions for sustainable development in Africa. He highlighted extensive regional pacts aimed at addressing the illicit small arms and light weapons trade, such as the Bamako Declaration, the Nairobi Protocol, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Convention, and others. However, broader-scale international assistance and cooperation remained essential ingredients to the full implementation of the Programme of Action. A confidence-building measure would be the reduction of military spending by major arms-producing countries, and he urged them to devote those resources to global economic and social development, particularly the fight against poverty and disease.
He also urged appropriate implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty in a balanced and objective manner that protected the interests of all States, and not just the major producing and exporting States. The Group reaffirmed the sovereign right of States to acquire, manufacture, export, import and retain conventional arms and their components for legitimate self-defence and security needs. His delegation introduced the draft resolution titled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa”, on behalf of the African Group.
VORAPONG VADHANASINDHU (Thailand), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement, stated that small arms and light weapons were the real weapons of mass destruction. Thailand had signed the Arms Trade Treaty, and the key to its success would be transparency and the involvement of as many actors as possible across regions. That Treaty and the Programme of Action should complement and strengthen each other, without duplicating one another. Thailand was committed to its obligations under the Mine-Ban Convention and, despite some unforeseen difficulties, was doing its utmost to reduce mine-affected areas within its extended deadline. This year, Thailand had hosted the Bangkok Symposium on Landmine Victim Assistance, aimed at realizing the victim assistance section of the Maputo Action Plan. He noted the gender and age element in the conventional weapons agenda, and urged all victim-assistance efforts to include their voices and perspectives in decision-making processes where relevant.
HAMZA A. B. ALOKLY (Libya) said the demise of the previous Libyan regime had led to a huge security vacuum. Libya was still suffering from that, as well as from the spread of weapons throughout the country. Conventional weapons were among the most common in armed conflicts and were the reasons for the terrifying number of victims, their hardship and suffering. The Arms Trade Treaty was a good way to curb the illicit trade, and Libya was keen to demonstrate support for that and other instruments aimed at curtailing the illicit trafficking. At the same time, he stressed the sovereign right of each State to control and regulate the trade of conventional weapons in line with their domestic legislation and laws. The international community should continue to build upon the results achieved so far. He shared the concern over landmines, which continued to create huge environmental damage and stifle development. Libya had been suffering from those weapons since the end of the Second World War. While voicing support for the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, he said it did not provide enough support to those nations that had suffered from those weapons and still needed to recover.
NARCISA VLADULESCU (Romania), associating with the European Union, said that the Arms Trade Treaty was an essential milestone in the development of internationally agreed standards regulating the global trade in conventional weapons. Her country had a robust national export control system and participated in global export control regime activities, including the Wassenaar Arrangement. Without strict adherence to legal commitments, the international security architecture risked being undermined. Regarding ballistic missile proliferation, the increased interest in curbing it would contribute to international security and stability. However, efforts by States and non-State actors to acquire such technology were worrying, as was the ballistic missile defence capability of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which had a site in Romania. That base was aimed at countering ballistic threats from outside the Euro-Atlantic area, and according to provisions of the agreement signed between Romania and the United States, the characteristics of the system could not be changed, nor could it be used for purposes other than those stipulated. A resolution on military expenditures would be tabled this year by Germany and Romania.
ALEXANDER KMENTT (Austria), associating with the European Union, said that victims of armed conflict and armed violence must remain at the heart of the deliberations. The international community had further developed its response to the gender implications of violence, although the issue deserved more attention. The gender perspective should be incorporated into all disarmament and arms control efforts and the equal participation of women and men at all levels should be ensured. The indiscriminate effects of anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions had led to a ban on those weapons. However, they continued to cost human lives and cause human tragedy. All States had an obligation to protect civilians from unnecessary harm. He was concerned about the continued use of cluster munitions in several countries, and he called on them to refrain. It was a humanitarian problem of severe gravity, as was stipulated by international humanitarian law. The growing number of refugees leaving their war-torn regions testified to the fact that they were desperate to find shelter from the violence in their countries of origin, and the lack or breakdown there of protection.
YOUNG-MOO KIM (Republic of Korea) said that small arms and light weapons had emerged as the real weapons of mass destruction, posing grave challenges to all humanity. The international community could and must do more to address those challenges. There were purportedly more than 900 million small arms in circulation worldwide, and those were involved in almost all armed conflicts that threatened international peace and security today. The vast majority of more than 500,000 violent deaths every year were attributable to the use of small arms in conflicts. Illicit transfers, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of those weapons had deep, cross-cutting ramifications for all three pillars of the United Nations, namely peace and security, development and human rights. Above all, small arms flows into conflict zones fuelled violence, undermined peacebuilding, and had a catastrophic humanitarian effect on civilians, especially women and children.
SOULIKONE SAMOUNTY (Lao People’s Democratic Republic), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement, said that although conventional weapons did not have the same effect as weapons of mass destruction, their widespread use, as well as that of explosive remnants of war, resulted in long-term consequences. They had a serious humanitarian impact on the civilian population and also impeded social and economic development in many countries, including his own. He supported the Programme of Action in tackling that issue. His country was one of the most heavily contaminated in the world with unexploded ordnance, as more than 2 million tonnes of bombs had been dropped on its soil from 1964 to 1973. The explosive remnants of war continued to kill or maim innocent people, including women and children. Their clearance would take a long time and required a huge amount of resources. He called for greater funding and technical support.
FERNANDO LUQUE MARQUEZ (Ecuador), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement and UNASUR, welcomed this year’s ratifications and accessions to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. His country condemned those weapons due to their injurious and indiscriminate nature; they did not distinguish between soldiers, farmers or children, even years after their use. He supported the Mine-Ban Convention, especially projects under way at shared borders. He pointed in particular to Ecuador’s mine-clearance project with Peru at their common border. Serious discussions were required on unmanned aerial vehicles and armed robots, as the high number of victims and extra-judicial killings, which raised ethical questions about their use. He noted the first Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty. Ecuador would continue analysing implementation means, by countries that were producers and exporters, and would take a final decision on the Treaty accession following that.
ELEONORA SAGGESE (United Kingdom), associating with the European Union, said it had been a momentous year for international action on conventional arms control. The First Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty had been successful, and she looked forward to an effective Extraordinary Conference of States Parties early next year to finalize budgetary and administrative arrangements. Ambitions for that Treaty should focus on its potential to enhance peace, security and prosperity, for which its universalization and fully effective implementation were paramount. The United Kingdom continued to offer technical expertise and financial assistance, where possible, to States seeking to accede to the Treaty and develop their export control systems. The misuse of small arms and light weapons, fuelled by their illicit trade, was responsible for more human rights violations and other heinous crimes than any other type of weaponry. The Programme of Action remained a vital tool in the efforts to address that and to prevent combat and eradicate the illicit trade.
JUAN SANDOVAL MENDIOLEA (Mexico) said that his country had successfully hosted the first States Parties Conference of the Arms Trade Treaty this year, and it recognized the commitment and determination contributing to its success. Mexico would continue advocating for the Treaty’s effective implementation to ensure the responsible trade of conventional weapons. He congratulated the 72 States that had ratified it thus far as well as those that had signed it. The Convention on Cluster Munitions had held its first Review Conference in Dubrovnik and demonstrated an appropriate legal framework for the condemnation and elimination of that indiscriminate weapon. While the progress achieved to date showed strong commitment by States, efforts needed to be stepped up to achieve universality, decontaminate affected countries and to coordinate victim care and assistance.
SHAMEEM AHSAN (Bangladesh), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement, said “horrific consequences” of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons endangered many societies. International consensus on their regulation was crucial and could best be achieved through cooperation, consultation and mutual trust. He deplored in the strongest terms the use of anti-personnel mines in conflict situations. As a State party to the Mine-Ban Convention, Bangladesh had accepted certain obligations, including the destruction of existing stockpiles, reporting on compliance and enacting national legislation banning the use, production of and transfer of anti-personnel mines. He called for strict adherence to the Convention by other States parties as well as for its universality. He also urged full implementation of the Cartagena Action Plan.
At the same time, he expressed his delegation’s support for the Non-Aligned Movement’s position that States had the sovereign right to acquire, manufacture, import, export and retain such arms and their components for safety and self-defence. He aligned himself with the Movement’s call for a balanced, transparent and objective implementation of the Arms Control Treaty, in line with the Charter and the inherent right to self-defence and security of all States. No unilateral coercive measures should be taken on the transfer of such arms. An imbalance already existed between developed and developing countries, which should be addressed through unilateral disarmament measures by the industrialized countries in order to minimize threats to global peace and security.
MARIJA PERISIC (Serbia), aligning with the European Union, recalled that her country had ratified the Arms Trade Treaty in October 2014 and had actively participated in the First Conference of States Parties in August. Her delegation also attached great importance to the Programme of Action, and remained strongly committed to its full implementation as a matter of high priority. The Government of Serbia had adopted a strategy on the control of small arms and light weapons to prevent and combat their unlawful production, possession and trade. Additionally, all the criteria of the European Union Code of Conduct had been incorporated into Serbia’s new law on the export and import of arms and military equipment. Another draft law on the implementation of international restrictive measures was expected to be adopted very soon.
JULIO HERRAIZ (Spain), associating with the European Union, said that half a million people died each year as a result of firearms. Conventional weapons in their various forms were the real weapons of mass destruction and their illicit trafficking had terrible consequences. Noting the signing by 130 States of the Arms Trade Treaty and its 77 ratifications, he said its universalization should ensure that conventional weapons were no longer used to undermine, not only the security of entire regions, but international humanitarian law and human rights. Spain shared the widely-held view that the approach to controlling firearms should be two-fold. First, it was necessary to regulate legal trade, and second, to combat illicit trafficking. Thus, his delegation supported the full implementation of the Programme of Action along with related instruments, such as the International Tracing Instrument. He stressed the need to strengthen the control of munitions. Spain had passed a new law prohibiting anti-personnel mines and other weapons that caused unacceptable suffering to civilians.
ERICK MWEWA (Zambia), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement and the African Group, said the biggest challenge facing the international community on small arms and light weapons was the silence in the face of the global production of those weapons. Little was voiced on regulating the manufacturers. Africa bore the brunt of the negative effects of small arms and light weapons, despite contributing little to their manufacture. It was for that reason that the Arms Trade Treaty should cut across the length and breadth of small arms and light weapons production. In that connection, Zambia had not been spared by those weapons, which were usually used by criminal syndicates in terrorizing innocent citizens. The fact that most weapons used in such acts had been traced to regional liberation struggles and armed conflicts in the Great Lakes region, pointed to a reality that past interventions had not been fully successful and that the time had come for re-igniting multilateral disarmament efforts.
ENGIN TURESIN (Turkey), associating with the European Union, said that given the rampant use of conventional weapons and their toll on human lives, those could be considered weapons of mass destruction in many parts of the world. The issue could be considered from two broad and distinct, yet closely interrelated dimensions: the security perspective, making it a disarmament issue, as well as from a socio-economic perspective, making it a humanitarian and development issue. Confidence building and transparency played an important role, and he valued such instruments as the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms and the United Nations Report on Military Expenditures, supporting the inclusion of small arms and light weapons as a mandatory category of the Register. Turkey was party to all international non-proliferation instruments and export-control regimes and wished to see their universalization and effective implementation. However, the most effective method for addressing the ill-effects of conventional weapons was to tackle the root causes of conflict.
FRANTIŠEK RUŽIČKA (Slovakia), associating with the European Union, said the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty was a remarkable milestone in the long-term efforts to establish robust and effective common international and legally binding standards for the regulation of the international trade in conventional arms. The Treaty was an effective, responsible and transparent tool in the fight against the illicit arms trade. This year, Slovakia had acceded to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and would become a full-fledged member on 1 January 2016. Those weapons caused unacceptable harm to civilians and must be banned. Small arms and light weapons remained a very complex issue as the international community continued to develop appropriate policy responses at the global level. In that regard he emphasized the importance of implementing the Programme of Action.
SHORNA-KAY RICHARDS (Jamaica), associating with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said the trade in small arms and light weapons and their diversion into the illicit trade continued to have a destabilizing impact on her region. The violent effects of the trade were most tragically evident in conflict zones and areas where peace was fragile. The ongoing conflict in Syria, growing instability in Afghanistan and recurring crises in Africa came to mind. Her concern was exacerbated by the increased flow of weapons to non-State actors. Welcoming the rapid entry into force of the landmark Arms Trade Treaty, she recognized the efforts of those States, international organizations and civil society groups that had been providing support and technical assistance for implementation in those States that lacked the capacity to do so. The Treaty and the Programme of Action were mutually reinforcing. The latter instrument required international support “now more than ever”, she said, stressing the need to make real progress in its domestic implementation even as measures for inter-State cooperation and capacity building were strengthened.
VLADIMIR YERMAKOV (Russian Federation) said many delegations had rightfully noted that the indiscriminate use of force had led to unacceptable humanitarian losses. They key word was “indiscriminate” use, which was not the case at the State level. Moreover, any expert would say that the Arms Trade Treaty, despite its potential, did not and could not solve the main issue facing the international community, namely, the irresponsible, massive transfer of weapons to non-State actors. That resulted in the worst violations of humanitarian norms and international law, and one did not have to go far for examples. Not long ago, Iraq, Libya and Syria were stable countries with high levels of social and economic development, and were successful in preventing terrorist threats. It was well known who was sending weapons to eliminate the statehood of those countries, and as a result, there had been bloody wars, hundreds of thousands of victims and hundreds of thousands of refugees.
His country, he noted, had called for the inclusion in the Arms Trade Treaty of a complete ban on weapons transfers to non-State actors. However, one country in particular said that provision would “hinder influential people”. He asked nations to assess the real value and not the mythical value of the Arms Trade Treaty. The difference was of extreme importance. The majority of States were calling for an instrument to ban the placement of conventional weapons in space. However, one State had launched a powerful campaign to oppose all Member States in the United Nations that were calling for that ban. It was sad but true. Since the distinguished partner States from the European Union, for whom preventing an arms race in space had always been a priority, gave in to the pressure, and as a result, they lost their national sovereignty and had abstained. Or, to be more exact, being influenced by one country, they were against the United Nations dialogue on the non-first placement of weapons in outer space.
MARTHA A. A. POBEE (Ghana), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement and the African Group, said the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons remained a major threat to stability and security. In West Africa, the proliferation of illicitly acquired conventional weapons had fuelled the rise in terrorism and other forms of armed violence, transnational organized crime, corruption and drugs. Their devastating impact on women and children compelled her delegation to urgently address the issue. She reiterated appeals made to arms-producing countries to ensure that the supply of small arms and light weapons was limited only to Governments and entities duly authorized. She could not stress enough that the illicit transfer of those weapons to non-State actors continued to pose a grave threat to the peace and security of many countries in Africa.
MARJON V. KAMARA (Liberia), associating with the African Group and the Non-Aligned Movement, said that while continuous calls for the total elimination of weapons of mass destruction reflected a serious and legitimate priority among the non-nuclear weapon States, including Liberia, the devastating impact of a poorly regulated trade in conventional weapons and their use fuelled conflicts across the regions of the world. That was an equally serious threat to global peace, security and socio-economic development. The world now witnessed the unprecedented use of illicit small arms and light weapons in conflict zones by terrorist groups, other non-State actors and authoritarian regimes. Such use wreaked havoc on innocent civilians, especially the most vulnerable members of society, including women and children. He welcomed the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty, and called on all States that had not yet ratified it to do so.
ANTONIO GUMENDE (Mozambique), associating with African Group and the Non-Aligned Movement, said his country’s approach to engaging with the Programme of Action was holistic, involving all relevant stakeholders including civil society organizations. The Arms Trade Treaty would complement the ongoing activities under the Programme of Action framework and contribute to regulating conventional weapons transfers, in order to promote responsible trade and prevent their diversion to the illicit market and non-State groups. Mozambique had for a long time been one of the countries most affected by anti-personnel mines. As a State party of the Mine-Ban Convention, it had developed a mine clearance programme and had now cleared all known mined areas. On 17 September, it was officially declared a country free of landmines.
ABDESSAMMAD TAJERRAMT (Morocco), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement, the Arab Group and the African Group, said that the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, beyond the human suffering they caused, represented a challenge to stability, particularly in Africa. Regional and subregional cooperation was an essential lever with which to combat that problem. Securing borders was possible through a revitalization of relations between neighbouring countries in the framework of positive dialogue. His country had hosted the inaugural conference of the Border Security Initiative, developed by Morocco and the United States. He noted the success of the First Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty, and said it was essential to ensure transparent and just implementation, while recognizing the rights of States to obtain weapons for defensive purposes. Restrictive interpretations would damage the Treaty’s credibility and objectives.
TITTA MAJA (Finland), associating with the European Union, commended the role of civil society, non-governmental organizations and industry in the Arms Trade Treaty process, and welcomed the fact that over 70 countries had ratified the Treaty and that many others were implementing its provisions, in practice. Many positive events had taken place recently, including that Treaty’s entry into force and the successful First Conference of States Parties, in Mexico, at which substantive and operational decisions were taken that would provide a sound basis for the text’s smooth implementation. However, work was far from finished, as there remained multiple consequences of the irresponsible and unregulated arms trade. Everyone should rest assured that with the Arms Trade Treaty, the international community could take steps to reverse them.
ELSA HAILE (Eritrea), associating with the African Group and the Non-Aligned Movement, said the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons continued to endanger peace, fuel violence, and impede economic and social progress in many parts of the world, including the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region. Organized transnational criminals, such as terrorists and traffickers, were intrinsically intertwined with the unrestricted flow of illicit arms in the region. The challenges posed by illicit small arms and light weapons were complex and international in nature, and no single country could address those on its own. The importance of cooperation and balanced implementation of the Action Programme and other regional and global commitments could not be overstated.
NIDA JAKUBONE (Lithuania), associating with the European Union, said that following a comprehensive report by the Secretary-General on small arms and light weapons, her country had initiated a process leading to the adoption of Security Council resolution 2220 (2015), with a strong focus on the human cost of small arms and the need to protect victims. The text had included significant new language recognizing the importance of preventing illicit transfers and sales of weapons and ammunition to armed groups and criminal networks that targeted civilians, among other new provisions. She noted the “persistent violations of international law” in eastern Ukraine, and called on the Russian Federation to stop the flow of weaponry and equipment into the sovereign territory of Ukraine, secure its borders and urgently end all support to the illegal armed groups.
ABDULAZIZ ALAJMI (Kuwait), associating with Arab Group and the Non-Aligned Movement, called on all Member States, particularly those exporting and producing small arms and light weapons to make every effort to contain that serious problem. His country’s commitment to the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument was demonstrated by a national campaign to collect unauthorized weapons, allowing a period of time for all citizens to hand in all small arms and light weapons. It had included an educational programme on the destructive impact of those weapons and their destabilizing role in the spread of crime. The campaign had enjoyed a wide-ranging response embodied by the huge quantities of weapons and ammunitions collected. He welcomed the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty, given the importance of regulating that category of weapons. However, its implementation should be in line with United Nations principles, including the maintenance of territorial integrity.
ANNIKA THUNBORG (Sweden), associating with the European Union, said the Arms Trade Treaty was the fruit of political will and international commitment. For the first time, gender-based violence had been included as a factor in the field of export control. It was paramount to address the male social roles, which, in many ways shaped armed violence, and the increased levels against women that followed in its wake. Sweden would continue to work hard to ensure that international instruments aiming to control small arms and light weapons took into account the control of ammunition. For the ban on cluster munitions to be effective, the world’s largest manufacturers and users also must join the Convention. The speaker highlighted Mozambique’s mine-free status as an example of the real possibility of achieving a mine-free world. Over the last decade, Sweden had contributed more than 100 million Euros to mine action worldwide.
REZA POURMAND TEHRANI (Iran), associating with Non-Aligned Movement, said his country was actively engaged in combatting the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and would continue to support the full implementation of the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument. The excessive production of arms by major producers with aim of exporting them to other countries was matter of serious concern. The major arms producers needed to take responsibility and reduce production, as those weapons would find their way into markets located in conflict-stricken regions. Armed conflict in the Middle East represented a clear example of such a problem. An unlimited amount of offensive weapons had been transferred to the Israeli regime, fuelling an expansionist and destabilising regime, which had committed war crimes in violation of the Charter. Iran had actively participated in the conference on the Arms Trade Treaty negotiations in the hope of concluding a robust and balanced treaty to reduce human suffering. However, the end result was a legally binding instrument with flaws, loopholes and other deficiencies.
Adding to his earlier statement, the representative of South Africa associated fully with the Non-Aligned Movement and said that now that the Arms Trade Treaty had entered into force, his country, as a State party, would fully implement its obligations, and no one else would prescribe how it should do so. If the Treaty was implemented in a balanced and objective manner, South Africa would do so as well.
Right of Reply
Exercising his right of reply, the representative of Syria, responding to the statement made by France, said that his country had assumed its full role to protect its people from crimes against them. Some States denied the Syrian State the right to fight terrorism on its own territory while those same States joined alliances many miles away to fight on its territory. Syria was committed to international law and to doing everything possible to avoid casualties among its people whom other groups were using as human shields. He could not understand how the French representative who had wrongfully accused his country did not even mention the looting of artefacts and other crimes by terrorists in exchange for funding weapons.
Furthermore, he said, the French representative had disregarded fully the daily shelling by those groups of the Syrian people, using mortars, which was the main reason for their displacement. The French representative, international media and others were depending on the work of amateur bloggers, and mistakenly adopted their assertions. One such blogger was Eliot Higgins who had said that “before the Arab Spring, he knew no more about the Middle East than the average Xbox owner”. Yet some still depended on such biased sources. Before the terrorist fire spread further and burned more around the planet, he urged States to follow a Syrian-led solution that would preserve the integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic.
Also exercising his right of reply, the representative of the United States responded to the Russian Federation by saying that the no-first placement proposal was flawed, as it did not define space-based weapons. Without a confirmation mechanism, it did not meet the criteria of the group of governmental experts, and was “the wrong proposal at the wrong time”. He agreed with the Russian Federation representative about the need to be responsible about arms transfers. There were growing concerns about weapons transfers to regimes that indiscriminately killed their own people and also about those that provided weapons and training to non-State actors in Ukraine.