We know that the United States is pushing for the ATT resolution to dictate that treaty negotiations happen by absolute consensus. This would give veto rights to any state that wants to water down the treaty text. That means states could easily remove from the text any tough provisions to restrict irresponsible arms transfers.

Ok, let’s pause for a minute and consider the purpose of an Arms Trade Treaty. I’m pretty sure the main objective is to stop irresponsible arms transfers. That is, stop them from happening before they manage to fuel human rights abuses and other violations of international law. Can you imagine any state guilty of abusing the human rights of their own citizens agreeing to a treaty that would limit their capacity to maintain that repression?

Come on!

It is the unwillingness of states to ensure arms are used responsibly that has led us to the appalling situation we’re in – where since the ATT discussions begin in 2006 an estimated 2.1 million people have died – or just under 2000 people per day over that time period. To be fair, some states want to do the right thing but simply don’t have capacity to implement stringent laws that control arms transfers across their borders. There’s plenty we can do to help these smaller and poorer states control their arms without lowering international standards.

If we really want this treaty to protect lives it must do more than deliver the lowest common denominator standards. This treaty is about setting high standards and holding states to account to them – Not setting the bar so low that even Russia can leap over it with ease. And I say that with full respect to our northern neighbours, but I’m pretty sure that implementing Russia’s version of tough arms export control measures on a global scale aint going to save too many lives – let alone halt the escalation spiral that is the military budget of most fragile states.

The answer has to be an Arms Trade Treaty that can stop irresponsible arms transfers and save lives. This is only going to be achievable if the authors of the latest ATT resolution stick to their proverbial guns and ensure the negotiations happen in the tried and tested, logical and responsible way that so many negotiations have been conducted before. Where states strive to reach consensus but where they cannot agree, because of the intransigence of a minority, they have that aged old democratic right to vote.