The lunchtime event on Thursday 22 October 2009 highlighted how women's rights and security can be advanced through a strong and effective ATT which complements groundbreaking UN Security Council Resolutions such as 1325 and 1820. It was Chaired by Agnes Marcaillou, Chief of the Regional Disarmament Branch of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, and speakers included: Rebecca Peters, Director of IANSA; Dr Mirjana Dokmanovic, international lawyer, Serbia; Maria Pia Devoto, APP, Argentina; and Michèle Pépé, Présidente of RASALAO-CI, Cote d'Ivoire. The event was co-sponsored by the Mission of Norway to the UN.

The briefing paper Women peace and security: The role of an ATT argues that global standards for the international import, export and transfer of conventional arms and ammunition should prohibit transfers where there is a significant risk that the transfer will be in used to violate women’s human rights or perpetuate a pattern of gender-based violence. It argues that international law demands linking the norms of an ATT with UN Security Resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888, and 1889, and obligations under international human rights and international humanitarian law.

The involvement of conventional weapons in facilitating violence against women is a cross-cutting issue that demands more attention. States have a duty to protect their citizens. To protect women’s rights, the relevant binding international instruments covering rape and sexual violence must be applied in an arms transfer decisions, as well as relevant soft law.

CONTENTS

1. The importance of an Arms Trade Treaty;
2. The significance of Resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888 and 1889;
3. International Law;
4. International Human Rights Law;
5. International Humanitarian Law;
6. State responsibilities to protect women’s human rights;
7. State responsibilities to prevent sexual violence;
8. Resolution 1325 and small arms control;
9. States’ responsibilities on the regulation of the arms trade and the prevention of sexual violence;
10. Using International Law as a tool;
11. Conclusion.