The Illicit Arms Trade and Its Devastating Consequences

The policy brief addresses the very grave consequences of illicit arms trade, including its role as a key driver and amplifier of mass atrocity violence. As a policy brief, it also contains a number of recommendations, aiming in particular at strengthening European and international standards and mechanisms. It follows the book workshop held at the Metropolitan University Prague, Czechia, May 18-20, 2026, and draws on Chapter 10 of Volume 1 (“The Illicit Trade in Arms and Weapons and Its Devastating Consequences, Including the Facilitation of Mass Atrocities”, co-authored with Francesco Giumelli) of the GLITSS trilogy project.