Arms Trade Treaty negotiations moved behind closed doors

Anna MacDonald Oxfam's Head of Control Arms Campaign

“The arms trade is often a shadowy business with arms deals being conducted in isolation, behind closed doors. The Arms Trade Treaty is attempting to shed some light over this trade and ensure that we have transparent and robust laws to prevent arms ending up in the wrong hands.

“Thanks to a tiny minority of countries it now seems like negotiations on the Arms Trade treaty will also become secretive. Delegates have agreed that at least half of the negotiations will be closed for the next two weeks.

Daniel Mack of Instituto Sou da Paz, Control Arms member in Brazil:

“It is unfortunate that some of strongest supporters of a robust ATT apparently capitulated and accepted that a “tyranny of the minority” would prevail. The decision also contradicts the Conference’s mandate that negotiations should take place in an “open and transparent” manner.

“Civil society has played a crucial part in the talks so far. It has been providing technical assistance to smaller countries as well as bringing forward the voices of those directly affected by armed violence.”