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Another Step Towards Holding Governments and Corporations Accountable – Human Rights Council (HRC59) Adopts Resolution About Arms Transfers 

On 7 July 2025, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), at its 59th session, adopted without a vote a resolution on “Impact of arms transfers on human rights” (draft resolution A/HRC/59/L.16 adopted as resolution 59/13). This marks the sixth resolution on arms transfers adopted by the HRC in the past 12 years.

Text quote on textured background: Arms transfers are not neutral transactions; they have devastating impacts on human rights. They fuel armed conflict, enable repression, and perpetuate cycles of gendered structural violence.
Image credit: WILPF
  • 7 min
WILPF International Secretariat
23 July 2025

As with previous resolutions, WILPF was actively engaged in advocacy during the negotiations. We advocated for accountability under international law of states and businesses involved in arms transfers; to preserve key language on gender-based violence: and to ensure the resolution covered the full scope of arms transfers.

Why this resolution matters?

Arms transfers are not neutral transactions; they have devastating impacts on human rights. They fuel armed conflict, enable repression, and perpetuate cycles of gendered and structural violence.

This resolution marks another critical step towards holding governments and corporations accountable for the human rights impacts of their arms transfer decisions and reinforces the need for stricter regulation of the global arms trade.

What’s new in this year’s resolution?

Resolution 59/13 draws on findings and recommendations from a recent report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) (report A/HRC/58/41), which highlights, among other concerns, repeated failures by arms-exporting States and the arms industry at large to exercise due diligence in arms transfers decisions and to prevent or halt prohibited transfers, even when there is clear evidence of the risk of violations of international law. The report also calls for further research into governance gaps in the arms sector, safeguards against the authorisation of prohibited transfers; effective prevention of negative human rights impacts resulting from arms transfers; and access to justice.

Building on some of the OHCHR’s recommendations, the resolution reaffirms that states have a duty to protect individuals from harm caused by third parties, including other states and business enterprises, —through legal, institutional and practical measures to effectively govern arms transfers and related activities,and by exercising due diligence in accordance with international law.

It also acknowledges that “the private sector, including all business enterprises within the arms sector, should respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including by implementing a due diligence process, assessing actual and potential human rights impacts, integrating and acting upon the findings, tracking responses and communicating how impacts are addressed.”

Despite efforts by Egypt, China, Russia and Indonesia to water down language on the links between arms and gender, the resolution strengthens a key reference from the previous text. It acknowledges that “ownership and use of arms are closely linked to specific dynamics of control, power, domination and strength, which also contributes to perpetuating gender-based violence.” The resolution also states that addressing gendered root causes of violence is essential.

In a welcome step proposed by Samoa, the resolution also recognises the impacts of arms transfers on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. New references to the recruitment and use of child soldiers, suggested by the European Union, have been included as well. Other important additions broaden references to “international law” beyond international human rights law and international humanitarian law. This reflects the reality that arms transfers can result in violations of other legal frameworks, including international criminal law and customary international law. 

While the resolution underscores the need for states and businesses to implement due diligence measures, WILPF deeply regrets the weakening of language on access to information, compared to the previous HRC resolution (A/HRC/RES/53/15), as well as the glaring omission of references to access to remedy for victims. This is especially regrettable given the unacceptable barriers and gaps in access to justice for violations resulting from arms transfer decisions, as highlighted in the above-mentioned OHCHR report.

WILPF also emphasises that the HRC must ensure effective and sustained follow up on all the five areas on which OHCHR recommended further research. These priorities, shaped by inputs from states, academics, and civil society experts in the intersessional workshop and related call for inputs, are critical for advancing accountability and preventing future harms.

Some key points made by states during the adoption of the resolution

Several states took the floor during the adoption of the resolution. Among them, Peru and Ecuador underlined the responsibility of states to protect people within their jurisdiction against harm caused by third parties, including other states and private actors, “through legal, institutional and practical frameworks that are fit for purpose in accordance with international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and in keeping with due diligence that ought to be carried out by businesses working in the sectors related to arms transfers.” South Africa echoed this, noting that “arms transfers are not merely business transactions” and emphasising that states and the private sector “need to do more to close the compliance gap and act effectively to prevent, address and mitigate the negative human rights impact of arms transfers”.

Costa Rica called “for stringent regulation of the arms trade” and stressed that “no economic interest can justify arms transfers that can lead to violations of international human rights law.” It also expressed particular concern at “the impact of illicit arms transfers in populated areas during armed conflict” and underlined that “arms transfers, in particular explosive weapons in densely populated areas, bring a high probability of indiscriminate damage to civilians and to crucial infrastructure.”

What’s next?

The HRC requested the OHCHR to: 

  • Prepare a study “on the role of States and the private sector in preventing, addressing and mitigating the negative human rights impact of arms transfers, particularly in relation to identifying practical measures and good practices adopted, and steps taken, by States to prevent unlawful arms transfers by third parties, including the regulation of the arms sector, exercise of control over transit and trans-shipment of arms, and the investigation, prosecution and punishment of conduct related to arms exports prohibited by international law”. The study is to be presented to HRC66 (September 2027);
  • Organise a full-day intersessional workshop in virtual format before HRC64 (March 2027) to inform the preparation of the study.

These processes provide important opportunities for civil society to continue to advocate for stronger accountability of states and corporations in arms transfers.

WILPF’s engagement in this HRC resolution

As with previous HRC resolutions on arms-related concerns, WILPF was actively engaged in advocacy in the negotiations, in close collaboration with the Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva. Among other priorities, WILPF pressed to preserve language on links between gender and arms transfers and strengthen provisions on accountability of States and businesses under international law. We also provided compelling arguments to prevent the dilution of agreed language on the scope of arms transfers and to uphold states’ obligations to assess risks of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in arms transfers decisions.

Additional information on resolution on 59/13

On 7 July 2025, the Human Rights Council adopted draft resolution A/HRC/59/L.16 (which was adopted as resolution 59/13). Peru and Ecuador, the main sponsors, present the resolution every two years, alternating with one on the civilian acquisition of firearms in the years between. Presented by Peru and Ecuador, and co-sponsored by Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Ireland, Mexico, Peru, Samoa, South Africa, Switzerland, Australia, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Bahamas, Botswana, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Greece, Honduras, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Morocco, Norway, Sierra Leone, State of Palestine, Uruguay this resolution is the sixth HRC resolution on the issue of arms transfers, following resolution A/HRC/RES/24/35  (2013), resolution A/HRC/RES/32/12 (2016), resolution A/HRC/RES/41/20 (2019), resolution A/HRC/RES/47/17 (2021), and A/HRC/RES/53/15 ( 2023). The draft resolution L.16, adopted at HRC59, is available at this link: https://docs.un.org/a/hrc/59/l.16 The proceedings on the adoption of the resolution can be viewed on this link.  

In 2023, the HRC requested OHCHR to organise an intersessional workshop for stocktaking discussions on the role of states and the private sector in preventing, addressing, and mitigating the negative human rights impact of arms transfers to inform the preparation of a report on gaps and future steps on the subject (for more information, see entry “Human Rights Council adopts resolution about transparency in arms transfers” in WILPF’s Reaching Critical Will’s August 2023 E-News available at this link). The report resulting from this process was presented to the 58th session of the HRC in March 2025 (see report A/HRC/58/41). The report highlights five areas namely: the lack of good governance of the arms sector; safeguards against the authorization of prohibited transfers; due diligence by the private sector; effective prevention of negative human rights impacts resulting from arms transfers; and access to justice.

To know more about these issues, consult the October 2024 WILPF’s submission to the OHCHR for the report A/HRC/58/41, and read WILPF’s statement to HRC58 on the OHCHR report A/HRC/58/41, and WILPF’s statement to HRC59 on the report of the Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory “From economy of occupation to economy of genocide”.

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WILPF International Secretariat

WILPF International Secretariat, with offices in Geneva and New York, liaises with the International Board and the National Sections and Groups for the implementation of WILPF International Programme, resolutions and policies as adopted by the International Congress. Under the direction of the Secretary-General, the Secretariat also provides support in areas of advocacy, communications, and financial operations.

Matt Mahmoudi

Matt Mahmoudi (he/him) is a lecturer, researcher, and organizer. He’s been leading the “Ban the Scan” campaign, Amnesty International’s research and advocacy efforts on banning facial recognition technologies and exposing their uses against racialized communities, from New York City to the occupied Palestinian territories.

Berit Aasen

Europe Alternate Regional Representative

Berit Aasen is a sociologist by training and has worked at the OsloMet Metropolitan University on Oslo. She has 40 years of experience in research and consultancy in development studies, including women, peace, and security, and in later years in asylum and refugee studies. Berit Aasen joined WILPF Norway five years ago. She is an alternate member of the National Board of WILPF Norway, and representing WILPF Norway in the UN Association of Norway, the Norwegian 1325 network and the Norwegian Women’s Lobby. Berit Aasen has been active in the WILPF European Liaison group and is committed to strengthening WILPF sections and membership both in Europe and relations across continents.

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Melissa Torres

VICE-PRESIDENT

Prior to being elected Vice-President, Melissa Torres was the WILPF US International Board Member from 2015 to 2018. Melissa joined WILPF in 2011 when she was selected as a Delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women as part of the WILPF US’ Practicum in Advocacy Programme at the United Nations, which she later led. She holds a PhD in Social Work and is a professor and Global Health Scholar at Baylor College of Medicine and research lead at BCM Anti-Human Trafficking Program. Of Mexican descent and a native of the US/Mexico border, Melissa is mostly concerned with the protection of displaced Latinxs in the Americas. Her work includes training, research, and service provision with the American Red Cross, the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Centre, and refugee resettlement programs in the U.S. Some of her goals as Vice-President are to highlight intersectionality and increase diversity by fostering inclusive spaces for mentorship and leadership. She also contributes to WILPF’s emerging work on the topic of displacement and migration.

Jamila Afghani

VICE-PRESIDENT

Jamila Afghani is the President of WILPF Afghanistan which she started in 2015. She is also an active member and founder of several organisations including the Noor Educational and Capacity Development Organisation (NECDO). Elected in 2018 as South Asia Regional Representative to WILPF’s International Board, WILPF benefits from Jamila’s work experience in education, migration, gender, including gender-based violence and democratic governance in post-conflict and transitional countries.

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Sylvie Jacqueline Ndongmo

PRESIDENT

Sylvie Jacqueline NDONGMO is a human rights and peace leader with over 27 years experience including ten within WILPF. She has a multi-disciplinary background with a track record of multiple socio-economic development projects implemented to improve policies, practices and peace-oriented actions. Sylvie is the founder of WILPF Cameroon and was the Section’s president until 2022. She co-coordinated the African Working Group before her election as Africa Representative to WILPF’s International Board in 2018. A teacher by profession and an African Union Trainer in peace support operations, Sylvie has extensive experience advocating for the political and social rights of women in Africa and worldwide.

WILPF Afghanistan

In response to the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban and its targeted attacks on civil society members, WILPF Afghanistan issued several statements calling on the international community to stand in solidarity with Afghan people and ensure that their rights be upheld, including access to aid. The Section also published 100 Untold Stories of War and Peace, a compilation of true stories that highlight the effects of war and militarisation on the region. 

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WILPF Germany (+Young WILPF network), WILPF Spain and MENA Regional Representative

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Demilitarisation

WILPF uses feminist analysis to argue that militarisation is a counter-productive and ill-conceived response to establishing security in the world. The more society becomes militarised, the more violence and injustice are likely to grow locally and worldwide.

Sixteen states are believed to have supplied weapons to Afghanistan from 2001 to 2020 with the US supplying 74 % of weapons, followed by Russia. Much of this equipment was left behind by the US military and is being used to inflate Taliban’s arsenal. WILPF is calling for better oversight on arms movement, for compensating affected Afghan people and for an end to all militarised systems.

Militarised masculinity

Mobilising men and boys around feminist peace has been one way of deconstructing and redefining masculinities. WILPF shares a feminist analysis on the links between militarism, masculinities, peace and security. We explore opportunities for strengthening activists’ action to build equal partnerships among women and men for gender equality.

WILPF has been working on challenging the prevailing notion of masculinity based on men’s physical and social superiority to, and dominance of, women in Afghanistan. It recognizes that these notions are not representative of all Afghan men, contrary to the publicly prevailing notion.

Feminist peace​

In WILPF’s view, any process towards establishing peace that has not been partly designed by women remains deficient. Beyond bringing perspectives that encapsulate the views of half of the society and unlike the men only designed processes, women’s true and meaningful participation allows the situation to improve.

In Afghanistan, WILPF has been demanding that women occupy the front seats at the negotiating tables. The experience of the past 20 has shown that women’s presence produces more sustainable solutions when they are empowered and enabled to play a role.