Effective arms control

Machine guns and rifles are used to kill hundreds of thousands of people each year. Larger arms and weapons systems – such as tanks, military aircraft and artillery – cause large-scale destruction of life, property and infrastructure. While states have a right to self-defence and a duty to police their lands and borders, a ready supply of arms and ammunition to unscrupulous state and non-state armed groups can prolong and intensify violent conflict, and facilitate human rights violations. We believe that transparent and effective regulation of the international arms trade, in accordance with international law, is essential to prevent human suffering associated with the illicit and irresponsible trade in arms.

Our work

Saferworld works to strengthen national, regional, and international controls on the global transfer of arms. We do this by advising governments and holding them to their obligations to build peace and safeguard people’s security by not transferring arms irresponsibly. We engage in dialogue with government officials – including through policy briefings and bilateral meetings – to encourage the progressive development of robust and transparent arms controls rooted in international law.

We also work in coalition with other non-governmental organisations to achieve strengthened and coordinated arms control processes at national, regional and global levels.

The Arms Trade Treaty – we work to ensure that this global treaty to regulate the arms trade is implemented.

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Africa-China-EU Project on arms – promoting trilateral dialogue and cooperation regarding arms and ammunition.

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