The Gaza crisis has provided a dramatic illustration of why we need an Arms Trade Treaty, according to IANSA.
Most media coverage of the conflict has ignored the importance of preventing arms transfers to the region. Yet weapons supplied from outside have been used in violations of international law resulting in large numbers of civilian deaths.
"Both sides in the Gaza conflict appear to have committed violations of international law," said Rebecca Peters, IANSA Director. "Yet some states continue to supply weapons to the protagonists. Some of these transfers are 'legal', ie approved by the exporting and importing governments - most obviously the continuing US supply of arms to Israel."
Last week IANSA reported that the US tried to ship 989 containers of ammunition, explosives and other munitions to Israel, through European ports.
A strong and effective global Arms Trade Treaty would have prevented these transfers, and more importantly would have prevented transfers in the past few years, reducing the protagonists' capacity to wage their deadly war.
Under the rules of war, attacks should not be indiscriminate, and precautions must be taken to minimise civilian casualties. Around 1300 Palestinians were killed in the recent attacks by Israel on Gaza. Most of these victims were non-combatants, including nearly 500 children. Israel claimed these attacks were militarily necessary, because the military targets were located within civilian settlements. But the massive number of casualties resulted in part because Israel failed to give sufficient warning to civilians.
In addition, the weapons used by the Israeli army included white phosphorus, which is banned under international law for use in densely populated civilian areas because of the severe burns it causes.
Meanwhile Palestinian groups such as Hamas have killed 28 Israeli civilians since they started firing over 6000 rockets into civilian areas in 2005. These attacks aimed at civilians are also violations of international humanitarian law.
Rebecca Peters added: "If combatants are violating international humanitarian law, then states supplying them with weapons are knowingly assisting these violations and must bear some responsibility. An Arms Trade Treaty would prohibit such arms transfers, thus preventing further violations and reducing the loss of innocent lives."
IANSA is a global network of around 800 civil society organisations working to stop the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons. Our members include survivor support groups, human rights activists, public health professional and research institutes.