Today, Control Arms releases a new report specifically addressing import and transit issues in a future Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Whereas much of the attention in ATT discussions has been placed on the export aspect of the international arms trade and the major arms exporting states, a majority of states are primarily or even exclusively arms importers, with many also being states through which arms transit.

In the report, “Import and Transit Considerations in An Arms Trade Treaty,” the authors provide an array of recommendations for how to responsibly include and implement import and transit controls under an Arms Trade Treaty. Key findings include the need for coordinated and transparent regulatory and reporting structures, brokering legislation, and the establishment of authority to control items passing through national territory. While there are concerns about the capacity of states to implement a robust control system under an ATT, the report indicates that much is already in place that can be used and amplified.

The report is based on case studies of Barbados, Estonia, and Namibia — three states representing different geographical, institutional and economical contexts – each located near major trade routes and thus familiar with the transit trade, while at the same time not major arms producers or exporters.

The report was authored by experts from Project Ploughshares (Canada), the Institute for Security Studies (South Africa), and the Center for International Trade and Security – University of Georgia (United States), with financial support from the United Kingdom. Each case study is primarily reliant on open source data and interviews conducted by researchers.

More than 1,300 parliamentarians from 54 countries have signed the Control Arms Global Parliamentarian Declaration on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). The Members of Parliament, Senators, and other legislators who have become signatories endorse the notion of a strong Arms Trade Treaty and have pledged their support in making the robust, legally binding instrument a global reality.

Parliamentarians are the voices and representatives of the citizens who vote for them. Which means that their endorsement includes the support of hundreds of thousands of citizens worldwide. As well, this wide support from national level legislators also opens up possibilities for rapid ratification processes after ATT negotiations conclude in July.

More and more parliamentarians are supporting the Declaration every day, proclaiming their support for a Treaty that protects lives and livelihoods around the world. Has yours?

Check the Control Arms Parliamentarians page for updated signatory additions, resources for contacting your local Member of Parliament, and to read the full Declaration.

The following statement may be attributed to Jeff Abramson, Director of the Control Arms Secretariat:

“The sentencing of an arms dealer, even one as notorious as Viktor Bout, does not undo suffering already caused or bring anyone back to life.

“What Bout’s sentencing does, however, is prove that it is possible to fight the irresponsible arms trade. It also shows that the world must have a better system for doing so. The fact that the United States needed to mount a complex sting operation proves the need for global regulations to limit the actions of dealers like Bout.

“Luckily, states are on target to negotiate an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) this July that would make stopping the next Viktor Bout much easier. A robust ATT will lead all countries to adopting arms brokering and arms trade laws, thereby closing the legal loopholes that continue to let the black market thrive. Until such a treaty is agreed and functioning, the global arms trade essentially remains out of control.”