Public Law Studies Quarterly

International Responsibility of States for Acts of Non-Govermental ‎Groups Through Arms Transfers in Light of the Arms Trade Treaty

Document Type : Article

Authors

Keyvan Ebrahimi erami 1
Heybatollah Najandimanesh 2
Mohsen Mohebi 3

1 Ph.D. Studenta in Public International Law, Faculty of Law, Theology and Political Science, ‎Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.‎

2 Assistant Professor, Public and International Law Department, Allameh Tabatabai University, ‎Tehran, Iran. ‎

3 Assistant Professor, Department of public and International Law, Faculty of Law, Theology and ‎Political Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran‎

https://doi.org/10.22059/jplsq.2023.359896.3325
Abstract
The transfer of weapons is a significant issue for the international community, as uncontrolled transfers can lead to armed conflicts and insecurity. Therefore, the Arms Trade Treaty (2013) specifically regulates the conditions for the international transfer of conventional arms and imposes obligations on the transferring state. However, neglecting the issue of transferring weapons to non-state groups is a notable criticism, as the transferred arms are often used for severe violations of human rights and humanitarian law. Thus, this research, using a descriptive-analytical method, seeks to answer the question of what responsibilities states have regarding the actions of non-state groups through arms transfers. The findings indicate that states are not permitted to carry out any arms transfers under the cover of the Arms Trade Treaty if such actions violate their obligations under international charters or agreements, or if they know that these weapons will be used in the commission of international crimes or terrorist acts. Consequently, a state that is aware of an international wrongful act and assists or facilitates it through arms transfers violates its obligations to prevent international crimes, thereby establishing international responsibility for that state as an accomplice or facilitator, which includes consequences such as compensation for damage.

Keywords

Arms Trade Treaty
arms ‎transfer
non-‎governmental groups
‎international ‎responsibility.‎
Subjects

  1. English

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    References In Persian:

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    1. B) Articles
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Public Law Studies Quarterly
Volume 55, Issue 1 - Serial Number 41
Spring 2025
Spring 2025
Pages 303-328

  • Receive Date 25 May 2023
  • Revise Date 07 August 2023
  • Accept Date 23 December 2023

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