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TransArms and IPIS undertook a thorough research of the responsibilities of states and companies ... more TransArms and IPIS undertook a thorough research of the responsibilities of states and companies involved in the transfer of military equipment by sea under customary international law. The maritime transport is by far the main modality for the transfers of military equipment and commodities. The report considers cases of irresponsible shipments of arms and military commodities to countries with ongoing armed conflicts and escalating human rights violations. The authors also identify areas for future improvement of the ATT.

The International Peace Information Service (IPIS) and the Omega Research Foundation (Omega) have... more The International Peace Information Service (IPIS) and the Omega Research Foundation (Omega) have undertaken a comprehensive review of one of China’s largest state-owned companies. Norinco – known formally as China North Industries Group Corporation (CNGC) was established in 1999 and consists of at least 46 member units which then have several subordinate companies, joint ventures and associate companies. CNGC’s main purpose is to research, develop and manufacture weapons and military equipment for the Chinese armed forces. Over the decades CNGC and many of its subsidiaries have established joint ventures or licensed manufacturing agreements with various Western companies to manufacture civilian products which have then been incorporated in the military and/or law enforcement products of CNGC. his working paper uses publicly available sources and attempts to unpick the structure of CNGC, listing its Member Units and the associated subsidiaries, joint ventures and associate companies.

Without an understanding of the existing practices of States regarding their commonly agreed sta... more Without an understanding of the existing practices of States regarding their commonly agreed standards for the monitoring and reporting of their international transfers of conventional arms, it will be very difficult to draft many of the basic provisions of the Treaty to ensure compliance and enforcement. This report therefore seeks to clarify and discuss existing terminology and reporting practices for State regulation of international transfers of goods and services and for international transfers of conventional arms. It is hoped that this will also help contribute to the development of common international standards for monitoring and reporting international transfers of conventional arms. Standardization of statistical requirements and reporting methods is of paramount importance for the ATT to be effective.

As stated by the authors in their report “Transparency and Accountability” (February 2012), the C... more As stated by the authors in their report “Transparency and Accountability” (February 2012), the Chairman’s Draft Paper (14 July 2011) presented by the Arms Trade Treaty's Preparatory Committee (ATT PrepCom) included within the ATT scope certain activities that should fall under the category of “services”, such as transport and brokering. However, no provision has been envisaged for the monitoring and ATT-related regulations of arms transport services. Monitoring transport services may instead be the key provision for the implementation and enforcement of the Arms Trade Treaty. TransArms and IPIS vzw have advocated since 1999 the monitoring of arms transport networks as one of the most effective activities for the control of arms transfers, in particular toward war zones and countries at risk of serious violations of human rights. Transportation services for the international transfers of conventional arms are performed by logistics companies, shipping agents, freight forwarders,...

Transport infrastructure plays a key role in boosting a country or region’s economic development.... more Transport infrastructure plays a key role in boosting a country or region’s economic development. The International Peace Information Service (IPIS) has a long tradition of studying peace, security, and development in Sub-Saharan Africa and TransArms has extensively researched the logistics chains of conventional arms and natural resources. They have ascertained on several occasions that the underdevelopment or degeneration of transport infrastructure is indeed a problematic issue across a number of African countries and regions. This report analyses the current logistics situation in Eastern Africa, and the logistic challenges faced by various actors in that region. It is based on desktop research, and interviews and data collected by the authors during several field missions to East and Central Africa. Dilapidated or underdeveloped transport infrastructure is a substantial barrier to socio-economic development and sustainable growth of many regions and sub-regions of Africa. The N...

In the last decades, the "business of war" has attracted thousands of civilian transpor... more In the last decades, the "business of war" has attracted thousands of civilian transport and logistics companies, especially in the aviation sector. State and non-State actors engaged in armed conflicts or in military operations that require substantial logistic support have increasingly resorted to the services of civilian transport operators to fulfill their transport and logistics needs. For air transport companies the "business of war" has historically included logistic support for the deployment and mobility of troops and military equipment; the establishment of supply chains of arms and ammunition; and the transport of people and goods in and out conflict zones.

In resolution 1533, the UN Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the Unite... more In resolution 1533, the UN Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations: 'Urges all States, relevant United Nations bodies and, as appropriate, other organisations and interested parties, to cooperate fully with the Committee and with the Group of experts and MONUC, in particular by supplying any information at their disposal on possible violations of the measures imposed by paragraph 20 of resolution 1493.' (Para 12, emphasis added). 'Calls upon the international community, in particular the specialised international organisations concerned, to provide financial and technical assistance to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a view to helping it exercise effective control over its borders and its airspace.' (para. 13).

The goal of this article is to examine and suggest proposals that could enhance the role of the i... more The goal of this article is to examine and suggest proposals that could enhance the role of the international Arms Trade Treaty—presently in discussion at the United Nations—in the regulation of the international arms trade and in addressing the role of the legal trade in: a) providing the bulk of the arms used in armed conflicts, armed violence and human rights abuses; b) the excessive arming of developing countries; and c) the continuous unsettling of power balances in sensitive world regions, not least because of competition amongst arms-exporting countries. No global regime exists to control the international trade of conventional arms. The international Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), presently in discussion, is a potentially historical step to regulate this trade. But the ATT in its current form lacks fundamental elements needed for a robust and effective regulatory framework.

End-use certificates are designed to form a key line of defence against the diversion of authoriz... more End-use certificates are designed to form a key line of defence against the diversion of authorized arms transfers. These documents are effective only in the context of a broader system that includes a comprehensive consideration of diversion risks at the licensing stage, the verification of end-user documentation and postshipment controls. Already, in 2002, the Security Council called upon States to establish an effective national end-user certificate system and to study the feasibility, as appropriate, of developing such a system at the regional and global levels, as well as information exchange and verification mechanisms. Mindful of the role that end-use certificates could play in preventing the diversion of authorized arms transfers-in particular regarding small arms and light weapons and their ammunition-the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) decided to undertake this study to further enhance understanding of this highly topical issue. The study assesses existing practices regarding end-user certification in a wide range of countries. It examines concepts, documents and procedures relating to the regulation of end use and end users of conventional arms. It also endeavours to identify political and practical obstacles to the development of an international framework for authentication, reconciliation and standardization of end-user certificates. Finally, it proposes practical guidelines to assist States in the development of a reliable system of end-user certification. UNODA thanks the Government of Sweden for its generous grant, making this study possible.

Weapons and International law: The Arms Trade Treaty gives a thorough legal and practical analysi... more Weapons and International law: The Arms Trade Treaty gives a thorough legal and practical analysis of this important new legal instrument to regulate the global trade of the most commonly-used conventional arms.