Implications and Consequences of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)

Laura Crovetto; Dario Caponigro

doi:10.22151/politikon.29.2

Authors

Laura Crovetto Université libre de Bruxelles
Dario Caponigro University of Milan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22151/politikon.29.2

Keywords:

arms trade, ATT, conflict resolution, human rights, security studies, United Nations

Abstract

The international sales volume of conventional arms has been considerably increasing, making it necessary to create an international normative framework of regulations: the adoption of the ATT by the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly (2013) represents a historical achievement to establish global standards for the arms trade, with the purpose of supporting international peace and security and curbing human-rights abuses. This paper describes the process aimed at regulating the legal arms trade and strengthening the fight against the illicit trafficking. Through the data of the U.N. Disarmament Affairs, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute and the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the amount of conventional arms transfers worldwide has been analyzed. The articles of the ATT are illustrated focusing on the most innovative and critical dispositions. In conclusion, the Conference of the State Parties will face the turbulent developments and the different international perspectives for the future of the ATT.

Author Biographies

Laura Crovetto, Université libre de Bruxelles

Laura Crovetto, 22, from Milan (Italy), is a graduate who received her Bachelor’s degree in “International Science and European Institutions” at the Università degli Studi di Milano in July 2015. In December 2014, she participated and obtained a final certificate in “Winter School on Disarmament and Armament Proliferation Control: International Law, Engagement of Governments and Role of Civil Society”. She wrote her Bachelor’s thesis on “International arms trade: prospective of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)”. She helped in founding ASSP Unimi in Milan and currently holds its Secretary. She is doing a Master in International Relations at the Université libre de Bruxelles.

Dario Caponigro, University of Milan

Dario Caponigro, 26, was born in Tehran (Iran). Currently living in Milan (Italy) and studying for the Bachelor’s degree in “International Science and European Institutions” at the Università degli Studi di Milano. An IAPSS and ASSP Italia member, he helped in founding ASSP Unimi in Milan along like-minded colleagues and currently holds its Presidency. His interests include strategic studies, conflict resolution, human behaviour and associationism.