Addressing Compliance Gaps in Arms Transfers - is the Arms Trade above International Law?

Event

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Global military expenditure, already on an upward trajectory prior to 2025, is now experiencing a significant surge — heightening concerns over a potential renewed global arms race. This escalation is taking place amidst persistent and systemic compliance gaps across the arms industry, implicating both State and corporate actors.

As outlined in the most recent report (A/HRC/58/41) of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), there are critical deficiencies in the implementation of safeguards designed to prevent the transfer of arms in violation of international law. Despite the existence of international law obligations under international human rights law (IHRL) and international humanitarian law (IHL), as well as under specific normative frameworks such as the Arms Trade Treaty and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, evidence suggests that comprehensive risk assessments and meaningful human rights due diligence are not being systematically applied by relevant actors.

As a result, arms continue to be transferred into contexts where there is credible evidence of risks of serious violations of IHL and IHRL. These transfers perpetuate human suffering and fundamentally undermine international efforts to promote peace, security, and stability. Access to justice is also virtually non-existent for victims of the deadly consequences of arms transfers. This event will convene experts, policymakers, civil society representatives, and other key stakeholders from across the human rights and arms control communities of practice to examine strategies for ensuring that arms transfers are subject to robust human rights oversight and accountability.

Against the backdrop of escalating global militarization, the Geneva Academy, the Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva (QUNO), the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights are hosting this public event to discuss:

• The role and responsibilities of States and the private sector actors in the arms trade;
• Enduring obstacles to access to justice and accountability in arms transfer decision-making processes;
• The nexus between international arms transfers and serious violations of international legal norms.

Participants will also engage with the priority areas for action identified in the OHCHR report, with a focus on enhancing safeguards, strengthening due diligence obligations, and promoting accountability for the adverse human rights impacts of arms transfers.

Speakers

• Daniel Moegster, Human Rights Officer, UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
• Hélène Tigroudja - Professor at Aix-Marseille University, France / Visiting Professor at Centre for International Law - National University of Singapore / Vice-Chair of the UN Human Rights Committee.
• Tara Van Ho - Senior Lecturer, Law and Human Rights at the University of Essex, United Kingdom
• Chloé Bailey - Senior Legal Advisor at the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR)

Moderators

• Yvette Issar, Consultant, Peace and Disarmament Programme, Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva (QUNO)
• Tessa Cerisier, Senior Advisor, Human Rights Programme, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)

Closing remarks

• Florence Foster, Senior Project Manager, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

Light refreshments will be served.

Access

Registration

Register here to attend this event in person at Villa Moynier.

Disclaimer

The event is an in-person event only, but a recording of the panelists' initial interventions will be made available at a later date, the interactive exchange with participants will not be recorded.

Access by Public Transport

Tram 15, tram stop Butini

Bus 1 or 25, bus stop Perle du Lac

Access for Persons with Disabilities

Villa Moynier is accessible to persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or any additional needs and require assistance in order to participate fully, please email events[at]geneva-academy.ch