The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday passed the first-ever treaty regulating the global conventional weapons trade in an attempt to bring transparency and protection of human rights to the often murky industry. Only Syria, North Korea and Iran - which had blocked the treaty last week - voted against. Russia, one of the world's most prolific exporters of conventional weapons, was amongg the 23 countries abstaining.
The first major arms accord since the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty would cover the estimated $80-billion-a-year trade in tanks, armoured combat vehicles, large-caliber artillery, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles and missile launchers, as well as small arms. The treaty has no automatic enforcement. However, it seeks to force the weapons industry within accepted boundaries.
Countries abiding by the treaty would establish national controls on arms exports. They'd also have to be sure that weapons being exported would not be used in genocide, war crimes, or by terrorists or organised crime. The UN assembly voted by an overwhelming 154-3 margin for the resolution. Individual nations can start ratifying from June and once the 50th country ratifies, the treaty takes effect.
In Britain, Prime Minister David Cameron called it a "landmark agreement that will save lives and ease the immense human suffering caused by armed conflict around the world." The British leader said the treaty will "reduce the number of illegal arms and make it harder for these to reach the hands of criminals and terrorists."