Recognizing also the challenges faced by victims of armed conflict and their
need for adequate care, rehabilitation and social and economic inclusion,
Emphasizing that nothing in this Treaty prevents States from maintaining and
adopting additional effective measures to further the object and purpose of this
Treaty,
Mindful of the legitimate trade and lawful ownership, and use of certain
conventional arms for recreational, cultural, historical, and sporting activities, where
such trade, ownership and use are permitted or protected by law,
Mindful also of the role regional organizations can play in assisting States
Parties, upon request, in implementing this Treaty,
Recognizing the voluntary and active role that civil society, including non governmental organizations, and industry, can play in raising awareness of the
object and purpose of this Treaty, and in supporting its implementation,
Acknowledging that regulation of the international trade in conventional arms
and preventing their diversion should not hamper international cooperation and
legitimate trade in materiel, equipment and technology for peaceful purposes,
Emphasizing the desirability of achieving universal adherence to this Treaty,
Determined to act in accordance with the following principles;
Principles
– The inherent right of all States to individual or collective self -defence as
recognized in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations;
– The settlement of international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner
that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered in
accordance with Article 2 (3) of the Charter of the United Nations ;
– Refraining in their international relations from the threat or use of force
against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any
other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations in
accordance with Article 2 (4) of the Charter of the United Nations;
– Non-intervention in matters which are essentially within the domestic
jurisdiction of any State in accordance with Article 2 (7) of the Charter of the
United Nations;
– Respecting and ensuring respect for international humanitarian law in
accordance with, inter alia, the Geneva Conventions of 1949, and respecting
and ensuring respect for human rights in accordance with, inter alia, the
Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Righ ts;
– The responsibility of all States, in accordance with their respective
international obligations, to effectively regulate the international trade in
conventional arms, and to prevent their diversion, as well as the primary
responsibility of all States in establishing and implementing their respective
national control systems;
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