- by: EDITH M. LEDERER
UNITED NATIONS — A landmark treaty regulating the multibillion-dollar global arms trade comes into force on Wednesday, a milestone hailed by the United Nations and campaigners seeking to stop weapons sales to dictators, terrorists and human rights abusers.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday the treaty’s speedy entry into force — less than two years after its historic adoption by the U.N. General Assembly — reflects the commitment of states, international organizations and civil society “to stop irresponsible arms transfers.”
The treaty requires countries that ratify it to establish national regulations to control the transfer of conventional arms and components, and to regulate arms brokers. It prohibits the transfer of conventional weapons if they violate arms embargoes or if they promote acts of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes, and if they could be used in attacks on civilians or civilian buildings such as schools and …