UPDATED, 9/18 — The 11th Conference of State Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT CSP11) took place Aug. 25-29 in Geneva Switzerland, and according to Rick Patterson, president and CEO of Liberty’s Keystone, who was in attendance, “There is widespread recognition the ATT is failing.”
Patterson was representing the Second Amendment Foundation, the organization which has become a legal and educational powerhouse in the gun rights movement over the past 15 years. SAF and its sister organization, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, will co-host the 40th annual Gun Rights Policy Conference Sept. 26-28 in Salt Lake City. SAF was also a driving force behind creation of the International Association for the Protection of Civilian Arms Rights (IAPCAR), cementing its keen interest in the Arms Trade Treaty.
In a report to TGM, Patterson stated, “As will be discussed shortly, the UK has proposed creating a 5-year plan [sic strategic plan] to get the ATT ‘on track.’ In their meeting to discuss the concept there was a directly stated recognition among many of the participants the ATT is failing.”
According to Patterson, the theme of this year’s conference was focused on “Treaty Universalization.” Interventions followed similar messaging:
- Universalization is essential to the success of the ATT
- Communication is essential
- Strong “Regional Champions” are needed to promote the ATT
- Message importing states that becoming a party to the ATT does not adversely impact a state’s rights nor ability to acquire the arms to protect itself.
Argentina stood out during the opening remarks segment by supporting the lawful transfer of arms, and it also supported civilian possession of arms, a position which was not echoed by other guest speakers, Patterson reported.
The United Nations Office of Disarmament Affaires (UNODA) repeated the narrative that “guns cause crime, undermining peace and human rights,” he said. They contend that disarmament “saves lives,” and they argued that industry has a responsibility, under human rights laws, and should therefore be doing due diligence.
On the other hand, the Small Arms Survey said the arms treaty favors exporters, and that the ATT is a “threat” to the emerging arms industry.
According to Patterson, one of the main threats is creation of a guide to businesses for doing due diligence.
“Gun control advocates,” he explained, “want to hold companies directly liable if their products are used in the commission of human rights violations. The fact that the companies obtained all the proper permits would be irrelevant. However, we were able to work with key state party delegations to ensure any guidance made clear that it is the states that are ultimately responsible, not the companies. This has the gun control advocates, looking for other avenues to their irresponsible attacks on industry.”
Four new proposals were presented during the conference, Patterson detailed. They were:
- A call to mandate State Parties (SP) create a Gender Based Violence (GBV) Point of Contact. This essentially creates a new network of GBV-focused bureaucracy within each state party.
- The aforementioned UK proposal to create a 5-year (strategic) plan to make the ATT effective/relevant.
- A call to increase youth participation in the ATT processes across State Parties.
- Creation of a “Friends of the ATT” in an effort to bring more people/organizations to the ATT.
There was also discussion that regional workshops are important to promote implementation of the ATT.
There was a proposal to stop arms exports to Russia, and EU countries called for a ceasefire in Gaza and return of all hostages.
Palestine claimed Israel gave 120,000 arms to settlers, and asserted that those settlers are now committing murder and sexual violence, as well as uprooting olive trees. Israel categorically denied the claims, Patterson noted.
During the conference, it was reported there are currently 116 State Parties, which represents 59 percent of UN countries, and there are 26 signatory states, representing 14 percent of UN countries. There are also 53 “non-parties” which account for 27 percent of UN countries.
It was reported that 66 percent of the top 50 arms exporters are party to the ATT and that 20 percent of the top 50 are ATT signatories.
Meanwhile, reporting of imports and exports, which is a legal requirement of the treaty, continues to decline, Patterson reported. He suggested this also reflects the failure of the ATT. During the first year of the treaty, 87 percent of participants submitted reports, but this year only 64 percent submitted reports.
Patterson added that for the past two years, “the ATT has been working with a truncated number/length of meetings on an experimental basis.”
“The Management committee has proposed continuation of the revised program of work,” he detailed. “There would be a working group meeting of 4 days duration, a one day preparatory meeting, and the 5 days duration Conference of State Parties. There would be no hybrid option, but there would be a livestream.
