UN passes ‘landmark’ Arms Trade Treaty, despite key abstentions

Published time: April 02, 2013 20:13

The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted to adopt the first ever treaty regulating international arms trade. Nonetheless, abstentions from major exporters and importers may limit its effectiveness.

154 countries voted for the treaty in New York, while Iran, Syria and North Korea voted against, and 23 countries abstained.

The treaty – which will be open to signatories from June – encourages exporters to openly publish their trade deals to avoid conventional weapons falling into the arms of terrorists, unscrupulous middlemen and criminals. The deal contains no mechanisms for punishing those who do not comply with its terms.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron said the vote produced a  "landmark agreement that will save lives and ease the immense human suffering caused by armed conflict around the world."

The treaty was only taken to the floor after a UN arms conference on it – which required unanimity to pass the treaty - collapsed last week. Objections were initially raised by Iran and North Korea, which are already subject to heavy weapons embargoes, who claimed the accord might be used to restrict their access to the international weapons market even further. Syria, which is in the midst of a civil conflict, later joined them.

FULL STORY: http://rt.com/news/un-arms-treaty-abstentions-vote-iran-korea-syria...