Explanation of Vote of the Islamic Republic of Iran

On Draft Resolution L.46: “The Arms Trade Treaty”

First Committee, UNGA 76

New York, 1 November 2021

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Mr. Chairman,

I would like to explain the position of my delegation regarding draft resolution L.46 on the ATT. My delegation will abstain in the vote on the draft resolution L.46 on ATT for the following reasons:

First, in the ATT, the political and commercial interests of certain arms exporting countries have a higher priority than the observance of the fundamentals of international law. The international prohibition on the use of force by one state against another state(s) is the most fundamental principle of modern international law. However, the ATT has failed to uphold this principle and to prohibit the transfer of arms to countries that commit acts of aggression, including foreign occupation. This is a significant loophole and major legal deficiency in the ATT. 

Second, we have strong reservation about the notion of complementarity with other instruments as mentioned in the draft. Furthermore, L.46 calls upon non-parties to accede to the Treaty. Such a call for the universalization of the ATT is unacceptable because this Treaty was not adopted by consensus due to its substantive flaws as well as disregard for the concerns and interests of some States participating in the negotiation process. Further, some of its States parties are committing major violations of its provisions as well. Exporting billions of dollars of arms to Israel while they are being used for death and destruction by occupiers and aggressors in Palestine is only one example of such violations.

Finally, I would like to put on record that our position on the ATT applies to all paragraphs in the draft resolutions and decisions that are adopted or will be adopted by the Committee this year and, therefore, my delegation disassociates itself from all such references. 

I should also mention that although we join the consensus on the draft resolution L.15 entitled Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons and collecting them, our position on the ATT, here or in any other draft resolution, is the same as explained about L.46.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.