U.N. approves first-ever global arms trade treaty
- 11 years ago
Weapons ---anything from ammunition to tanks - and specifically, controlling their movement across borders ----is the focus of the first treaty ever on global arms.
The UN overwhelmingly approved the treaty --with 154 of the 193 member states voting in favor it.
Three countries, North Korea, Iran and Syria, opposed the treaty while 23 members abstained.
China, Russia, Cuba, and Venezuela were among those that didn't vote. They've complained that the treaty favors arms exporters like the U.S.
The treaty requires governments to refuse to export weapons to countries where they could be used in human rights abuses, genocide, or war crimes.
The UN overwhelmingly approved the treaty --with 154 of the 193 member states voting in favor it.
Three countries, North Korea, Iran and Syria, opposed the treaty while 23 members abstained.
China, Russia, Cuba, and Venezuela were among those that didn't vote. They've complained that the treaty favors arms exporters like the U.S.
The treaty requires governments to refuse to export weapons to countries where they could be used in human rights abuses, genocide, or war crimes.