Abstract

On 2 April 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted the Arms Trade Treaty, the first-ever treaty to regulate the international trade in conventional weapons. This study examines the legal framework on arms transfer established by this Treaty. In particular, it analyzes the common international standards adopted by the Treaty for regulating the international trade and for preventing and eradicating the illicit trade in conventional arms. The main objective of the study is to make a critical assessment of the legal parameters and State obligations' arising from the Arms Trade Treaty, and its potential contribution to reduce human rights abuses and humanitarian law violations. The conclusion reached by this study is that the Arms Trade Treaty may contribute to reduce human suffering, but it is just a first step towards an effective and comprehensive international regulation of the arms trade.