OHCHR published a report on the destructive impact of arms transfers for human rights

On March 04 2025, the United Nations Office for Human Rights (OHCHR) published a report (A/HRC/58/41), denouncing the devastating impact of arms transfers on human rights and international humanitarian law. The document emphasizes how the increase in armed conflicts, the highest since World War II, is exacerbated by the uncontrolled sale and transfer of weapons, which fuel internal repressions and serious violations.

The report highlights that both states and the private sector are not doing enough to prevent and mitigate the risks arising from the arms trade. Often, political and economic decisions lead to ignoring the legal and ethical consequences of these transfers. Moreover, many companies lack adequate due diligence policies to assess the risk that the weapons sold will be used in international crimes. Corruption, conflicts of interest, and lack of oversight further aggravate the problem.

The OHCHR therefore calls for greater transparency, accountability, and control in arms transfers, because the transfer of weapons must not be a “human rights-free zone”. States must conduct more rigorous risk assessments, prevent unauthorized sales, and ensure effective judicial oversight. The private sector must also take responsibility for respecting human rights and improving its control processes. The aim is to prevent the arms trade from continuing to favour wars, repressions, and violations of fundamental rights.
To know more consult the Report at the following link: https://docs.un.org/en/A/HRC/58/41