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The case of the Chinese ship carrying arms destined for Zimbabwe is a classic case of why the world needs a tough Arms Trade Treaty. A group of government experts (GGE) is meeting in New York from 12 May for a second round of discussions on the scope and parameters of such a treaty. Civil society is calling for  an ATT based on International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law that recognises the effect of arms transfers on development. The treaty must also cover all types of weapons (including ammunition) and all types of transfers, including import, transit, loans and gifts.

The ship is now travelling south from Luanda (Angola), having failed to unload its lethal cargo of 3 million rounds of ammunition, rocket-propelled grenades and mortar bombs. The shipment had previously left Durban (South Africa) on 18 April without being able to unload the weapons. In both countries, human rights lawyers obtained court orders prohibiting any transit of the arms to Zimbabwe. In addition, dockworkers in both countries announced that they would refuse to unload the cargo. The government of Mozambique also declared that it would not allow the weapons to come through its territory.

The case has mobilised churches, trade unions and other civil society groups across Southern Africa, generating enormous media coverage. China could still deliver weapons to Zimbabwe by air, but this would drive up the cost dramatically.

This is clearly an irresponsible transfer. The shipment risked fuelling serious human rights abuses, conflict, poverty and corruption in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean armed forces have a track record of involvement in unlawful killing, abduction and torture. The situation in the country at the time the ship was en route was extremely tense.

Despite this, the lack of a global legally-binding agreement on arms transfers meant the international community had no legal framework to stop the shipment.

Click here to read how an Arms Trade Treaty could have helped prevent delivery of the weapons

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