Executive summary of the ATT

In May 1997 in New York City, Dr. Oscar Arias launched, in coordination with a group of Peace Laureates, the Commission of Nobel Peace Laureates' International Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers, in which they stated:

We come from different nations with varied histories, and in the past, the world has honoured each of our struggles for peace and justice with the Nobel Prize for Peace. Today, we speak as one to voice our common concern regarding the destructive effects of the unregulated arms trade. Together, we have written an International Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers, which, once adopted by all arms-selling nations, will benefit all humanity, nationalities, ethnicities, and religions.

A declaratory instrument intended as a challenge to the international community, the Code of Conduct laid down a stringent set of principles that ought to condition all arms export decisions:

• No arms for atrocities, genocide, or violence against humanity;
• No arms for violations of human rights or humanitarian law;
• Responsible transfers of weapons; and
• Respect for sustainable development and peaceful coexistence.

Based upon the Code of Conduct principles, today this initiative is known as the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), and currently carries the endorsement of twenty individuals and organizations honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize. It also has public support from over ten countries.

The initiative movement today...