The arms trade can fuel ongoing conflicts and lead to serious human rights violations by repressive regimes and armed groups. Peace organization PAX works towards stricter and more effective Dutch and international arms transfer controls. Since 2003 it has been an active member of the international Control Arms coalition committed to work towards a strong Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Since the adoption of the ATT in 2014, PAX and its coalition partners work towards strict implementation of the treaty.
Arms transfers can fuel ongoing conflicts and contribute to serious human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law. While there is no lack of arms control regulations, compliance with these mechanisms is problematic, as exports to controversial destinations continue to take place. Security and human rights concerns are often overruled by economic and foreign policy interests.
We work towards strong arms export controls
Dutch Arms Exports
The Netherlands is one of the world’s top 10 arms exporting countries. Exports include warships and related electronic equipment, as well as aerospace components and surplus Ministry of Defence equipment. The majority of exports are parts and components of weapons assembled in other countries. Many of these Dutch exports are hardly controlled with regards to the country of final destination.
PAX critically monitors arms exports. Through public campaigning and political advocacy, we work towards strict compliance with export control obligations.
Control Arms and the Arms Trade Treaty
The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) entered into force in 2014. Ten years later, 115 countries are States Parties while another 27 are signatories. The ATT regulates the international arms trade with the aim of reducing human suffering.
Control Arms is the international coalition of civil society organisations that works towards a strong and universal ATT. More than one hundred organisations worldwide, including PAX, are part of Control Arms. With national and regional activities, as well as statements and side events at ATT meetings, the coalition work to ensure the ATT is stopping arms transfers that fuel conflict and armed violence.
The companies arming Israel and their financiers
A new report published by a group of 19 civil society organizations and trade unions exposes the largest European financial institutions investing in international arms producers that sell weapons to Israel.
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Contact
Frank Slijper, Project Leader Arms Trade, slijper@paxforpeace.nl.