On 2 April 2013 an overwhelming majority in the General Assembly voted in favour of the landmark Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), regulating the international trade in conventional arms, from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships. The treaty will foster peace and security by putting a stop to destabilising arms flows to conflict regions. It will prevent human rights abusers and violators of the law of war from being supplied with arms. And it will help keep warlords, pirates, and gangs from acquiring these deadly tools.

Kate Allen, Director of AI, said “It was an ambitious goal, but an important one because arms are at the root of so many of the abuses we are fighting against, from torture to violence against women. From today onwards, because of the Arms Trade Treaty, the world is a step closer to being a safer, fairer place.”