Amnesty slams US and others for violating arms trade treaty

Amnesty International has issued a stark warning at the Geneva Arms Trade Treaty conference. 

It is accusing the US, China, and others of “brazenly flouting” the treaty’s regulations.

Signed a decade ago, the agreement aims to control the trade of conventional weapons and prevent their use in human rights abuses.

Despite more than 100 signatories, including the US, 27 nations have yet to ratify it, undermining its effectiveness.

The US has delivered major arms to at least 107 countries since 2019 and accounts for 42% of global arms transfers, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Amnesty highlights the devastating impact of unregulated arms transfers to conflict zones, particularly in Palestine, Sudan, and Burma. 

Amnesty reports US-made weapons have been involved in several deadly Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, resulting in significant civilian casualties.

Two such strikes using bombs manufactured by Boeing recently killed 60 civilians, including 29 children in Gaza. 

Meanwhile, China’s arms exports have fueled violence in Sudan and Burma, worsening humanitarian crises.

The Biden administration has faced criticism for not advancing the treaty’s ratification, which the administration of former president Donald Trump had withdrawn from. 

As the conference unfolds, Amnesty and other advocacy groups are urging state parties to enforce the treaty rigorously and halt arms transfers to nations committing severe human rights violations.