Landmark global arms treaty enters into force

A treaty laying down international rules for the $85 billion dollar global arms trade went into force Dec. 24, with campaigners vowing to make sure it is strictly implemented.

The United States - by far the world's largest arms producer and exporter - has signed the treaty, but has yet to ratify it. Other key exporters such as France, Britain and Germany have ratified the charter and pledged to adhere to its strict criteria aimed at cutting off weapons supplies to human rights violators worldwide.

"For too long, arms and ammunition have been traded with few questions asked about whose lives they will destroy," said Anna Macdonald, director of the Control Arms coalition of non-governmental organizations.

"The new Arms Trade Treaty which enters into force this week will bring that to an end."       

"It is now finally against international law to put weapons into the hands of human rights abusers and dictators," she said.

A total of 130 countries have signed the treaty and 60 have ratified it, including Israel which joined the movement just this month.

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon on Dec. 23 said it was "critical that we continue to promote universal participation" in the treaty and encouraged all states "particularly major arms exporters and importers to join."       

Those nations which have not yet adhered to the pact should "accede to it without delay," he said.

U.N. High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein hailed the treaty as providing a framework "to end the flow of weaponry that may be used to commit atrocities and other serious human rights violations,"        Campaigners however say much work lies ahead to implement the treaty, with a first meeting of the states parties to the treaty to be...