Brazil and other countries sign Arms Trade Treaty

Criado em 04/06/13 16h56 e atualizado em 05/06/13 07h36
Por Renata Giraldi Edição:Graça Adjuto/ Nira Foster Fonte:Agência Brasil

Brasília – Representatives from 60 countries, including Brazil, have signed the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Relations reported that Brazil played a major role in the negotiations. The treaty is designed to regulate the international commerce of conventional weapons and prevent illicit trade of arms on the black market.

Another aim of the treaty is to avoid encouraging domestic conflicts that drive armed violence. The initiative follows events such as the worsening of the Syrian crisis, which has been going on for 25 months now. The Syrian conflict has split Europe, America, Russia, and China. The Europeans have recently announced a willingness to sell weapons to the Syrian opposition, while the Russians supply weapons to president Bashar Al Assad's group.

The permanent representative of Brazil to the Conference on Disarmament, Ambassador Antonio José Vallim Guerreiro, pointed out that the treaty negotiations lasted for seven years. He said that Brazil was a pioneer in advocating for a broader, multilateral initiative.

“My country actively participated in the ATT process throughout its different stages, always committed to the goal of a legally binding instrument that would regulate the legitimate trade of conventional arms and provide effective tools to prevent that these arms from being diverted to illicit markets,” the ambassador pointed out.

Vallim Guerreiro emphasized the need to require that all signatory countries implement “legal and administrative measures to enforce national control over international transfers of conventional arms”. “The ATT constitutes an important contribution for the protection of civilian populations in conflict situations, for the prevention of international conflicts and for the reduction of urban armed violence,” he said.

The Brazilian ambassador said that the treaty is a significant milestone for Brazil in the pursuit of a more peaceful and secure world.  “Brazil is fully committed to ensure that balanced, objective and non-discriminatory approaches prevail," concluded the ambassador..

Edition: Graça Adjuto/ Nira Foster
Translation: Mayra Borges/ Olga Bardawil

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