Background
The United Nations First Biennial Meeting of States to consider the implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects met at Headquarters this morning to consider implementation of the action plan adopted at a conference on the subject in July 2001. The plan is formally known as the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.
The meeting, which will last until Friday, 11 July, is part of the follow-up process to the Conference, and provides for a review conference to be held no later that 2006. (For background, see Press Release DC/2871 of 3 July, 2003).
StatementsIn his opening statement, the new Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, NOBUYASE ABE (Japan), said he was encouraged by the efforts and the commitment shown by the international community to address the challenges posed by uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and light weapons. He assured participants of the United Nations commitment, and more specifically, that of his Department, to assist in the efforts to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in those weapons.
He said that the Programme of Action represented a milestone, both in the global efforts to advance the disarmament agenda, and in promoting human security, development, respect for human rights and protection of the most vulnerable sectors in society. Its full implementation was challenging and important.
KUNIKO INOGUCHI (Japan), Chairperson, said the meeting would provide an opportunity to identify appropriate strategies to address obstacles in implementing the Programme of Action over the past two years. It would also serve to strengthen partnerships for action that had been set up through a variety of international assistance and cooperation initiatives. The meeting should maximize the opportunity to boost the momentum created in July 2001 and reinvigorate the translation of the wordings of the Programme of Action into concrete, effective and robust deeds in the field.
Continuing, she said that the more than 70 reports submitted by countries to the Secretary-General, as well as other information from international, regional and sub-regional organizations, civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), gave a clear picture of the depth and extent of the commitment of the entire international community in responding to the call to combat, prevent and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects. The problem of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons was multidimensional and should be addressed accordingly. Only by addressing the issue simultaneously at a global, regional and national level, and also by tackling the problem in a comprehensive and inclusive manner in all its thematic aspects, would it be possible to make progress.
She said that no State alone could prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. But, no State was alone in the struggle, for the Programme of Action provided a framework for collective action by all. Indeed, under the Programme of Action, States had undertaken to cooperate to ensure coordination, complementarity and synergy in their efforts to deal with the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects at global, regional, sub-regional and national levels. States further undertook to encourage the establishment and strengthening of cooperation and partnerships at all levels among international and intergovernmental organizations and civil society, including NGOs and international financial institutions.
In a message read by the Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said it was difficult to overstate the importance of implementation of the Programme of Action. He said that, after all, small arms and light weapons caused mass destruction. They killed about 60 people an hour or half a million people a year, 90 per cent of whom were women and children. Less quantifiable, but no less palpable, were the wider consequences of small arms proliferation, in terms of conflicts fuelled, peacekeepers threatened, aid denied, respect for law undermined and development stunted.
He said it was particularly encouraging that many Member States had shown their commitment by undertaking, in the past two years, national initiatives, as reflected in the national reports submitted to the meeting. There had also been notable regional efforts during the period. In all those initiatives, civil society, and especially the NGOs, had played a significant role. He hoped for even greater progress in implementation in the years leading up to the second Biennial Meeting in 2005 and the Review Conference in 2006. The United Nations remained firmly committed to playing its part in assisting the world community in preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit small arms trade. (For the full text of the Secretary-General’s remarks, please see Press Release SG/SM/8772.)
CARLO TREZZA (Italy), speaking on behalf of the European Union, outlined Union activities to comply with the Programme of Action. Those included strengthening specific domestic legislation, actively contributing to initiatives launched in relevant regional fora, and providing financial and technical assistance to countries affected by widespread accumulation of those arms. In addition, the Joint Action on the Union contribution to combating the destabilizing accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons was amended to include relevant ammunition. The Union had also adopted a common position on arms brokering, requiring Member States to introduce ad hoc legislation to effectively control the activities of brokers.
In 2001-2003, he said, the Union had allocated about $7.7 million euros to finance actions by affected countries to deal with the excessive and destabilizing accumulation of small arms and light weapons. It had supported projects in Cambodia, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in Albania. It had also contributed to the running costs of the Stability Pact/United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Clearinghouse on small arms and lights weapons.
Further substantive work was needed on export controls, he continued. Those were an essential tool to curtail the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons. The Union proposed elaborating common national and international standards, with the aim of preventing legal trade from being diverted into illegal channels, and limiting the excessive accumulation of arms in regions already affected by existing tensions or armed conflicts. Ensuring effective control on brokering was considered a high priority by the Union. Illicit brokering and trafficking were recognized as among the main factors fuelling the illegal trade worldwide. Strict domestic legislation on brokering should be complemented by transparent exchange of relevant information.
OLE PETER KOLBY (
Norway) said that effective international cooperation on control of the small arms trade depended on agreement on the norms and standards for acceptable behaviour by States in connection with such activities. That had to include a common approach to fighting international terrorism and organized crime. It was encouraging that a growing number of governments were adopting and strengthening legislation and national measures for controlling the arms trade, and that regional cooperation in the Euro-Atlantic area, in Africa and in Latin America, was focusing on small arms issues.
He noted, however, that while the United Nations Programme of Action on small arms was the most comprehensive global agreement ever to tackle the illicit trade in small arms, it had to be implemented by all Member States if it was to succeed. He praised the participation of a large number of NGOs from all over the world, saying they were valuable partners in support of the international community’s efforts in the small arms sphere; many of them were doing “an excellent job” in that regard, he added.
STIG ELVEMAR (Sweden) said that addressing the root causes of the demand for small arms and light weapons was fundamental to the reduction of the means of violent conflict. That called for strict export controls, control of brokering activities and the development of effective means for the systematic tracing of weapons, so that illegally diverted arms could be traced back to the point of diversion.
He said that in cases where armed conflict had been contained, successful disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants into civilian society had been pivotal to the prevention of a relapse into conflict. It was important, therefore, to focus on all aspects of the DDR process, not the least, the more long-term reintegration process that was closely linked to economic and social development. Additionally, the protection of children, including the prevention of their recruitment as child soldiers, deserved attention.
Export controls were a vital instrument in combating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, he continued. A strict system of controls would help check the illegal traffic, as would controlling brokering activities through a multilateral binding agreement. On the need for a system of tracing weapons, important elements were marking, record-keeping and international cooperation.
NCUMISA PAMELLA NOTUTELA (South Africa) said her country believed that the meeting should provide the opportunity for Member States to identify, as first priority, the level of implementation that had been achieved at the respective national levels. South Africa had initiated, or had been involved in, a number of activities aimed at preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms. The most important of those had been detailed in South Africa’s national report, which was made available at the meeting.
He said that, at the international level, South Africa had co-hosted the “African Conference on the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms: Needs and Partnerships” in Pretoria in March 2002. The conference reviewed the commitments made in the Programme of Action and examined how countries from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and African States could support the national, sub-regional and international undertakings in its implementation.
At the regional level, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) had adopted the Protocol on the Control of Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Materials”, which was signed at the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in Blantyre, Malawi, from 12 to 14 August 2002. Nationally, legislation had been promulgated to, among other things, control civilian firearm ownership and regulate South Africa’s national system of arms transfers.
ROMAN KIRN (Slovenia) said his country had reshaped its legislation, regulations and administrative procedures relating to small arms and light weapons. It had also set up a national contact point for small arms and light weapons to coordinate cooperation between relevant governmental institutions in the area. Specifically, the contact point would seek improvements in the efficiency of governmental institutions dealing with small arms. That would complement existing mechanisms in South-Eastern Europe and beyond and serve as a kind of matchmaker between donors, scientific institutions and other organizations working to control small arms.
In March 2003, he said, Slovenia had hosted the small arms conference of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which drew over
100 participants and was the first of its kind at the sub-regional level. Participants during the two-day discussion addressed problems of export controls, weapons collection, stockpile management and international cooperation and assistance.
RAMEZ GOUSSOUS (Jordan) said small arms were fuelling existing conflicts. He stressed the importance of reaching a comprehensive and permanent peace in the Arab-Israeli conflict. A solution to the Palestinian and Arab-Israeli conflict would help limit the proliferation of small and light arms in the region and enhance cooperation between countries there.
He said his country believed in the need for cooperation to impose strict controls on illicit trade in small arms. There was also need for legislation and cooperation between security and customs organizations of States, as well as the imposition of controls, registration and licensing mechanisms. In addition, he called for active cooperation among countries in the exchange of information about the illicit small arms trade, the manufacture of those weapons, and their end users.
Jordan was working to mitigate the effects of the problem of small arms and their illicit trade, he said. The issue of permits was being streamlined to prevent the entry of those weapons into the country. Efforts were also being made to ensure that those who possessed them had no criminal record. Campaigns were being organized, involving civil society, to educate the public about the issue. Thus, the Programme of Action was being implemented in earnest.
YUKIYA AMANO (Japan) said the establishment of a tracing system of small arms would be an effective preventive measure. Marking and ensuring record-keeping on each weapon would make it possible, through international cooperation, to trace and identify exactly how and where the illegal diversion of weapons took place. Further, would facilitate the disruption of such illegal supply lines if illicit trafficking routes could be identified. Regarding tracing, the United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on Tracing and Marking had completed its task and would be recommending that the Secretary-General initiate negotiations for an international instrument.
He said that since the consolidation of peace was one of the main pillars of Japan’s foreign policy, it followed that the issue of small arms should be seriously addressed. Japan had hosted the International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan in 2002, where States had made significant pledges for assistance to Afghanistan. Japan had also begun a project to support the Cambodian Government’s efforts to collect small arms. Called the “weapons for development” project, it consisted of weapons collection, destruction ceremonies, public awareness raising, and weapons registration.
ROBERT MCDOUGALL (Canada) said his country had submitted a report in English and French to outline its efforts in implementing the Programme of Action on illicit small arms trade at both local and international levels. Within the margins of the present meeting, a publication entitled “Putting People First: Human Security Perspectives on the Availability and Misuse of Small Arms” would be launched on Tuesday night. It was based on consultations with NGOs and United Nations agencies and it would identify key elements of a people-centred approach to the problem and recommend measures to be taken. Those included exercising restraint in arms transfers, promoting community-based policing and tackling gender-based violence. The recommendations should be considered seriously and backed with action.
Recalling that the purpose of the present meeting was forward looking, he said participants were here to take stock of the Programme, learn from each others’ experiences, exchange findings and examine how parties could help each other with implementation. Further, it was not too early to take the first steps towards considering how the Programme could be improved and what further goals could be set. The Progamme’s evolution would not be considered until the
2006 conference, however, its consideration could begin, based on present findings about the real world security situation and the successes and failures to date in implementation.
MARITZA PUERTAS De RODRIGUEZ (Peru) said her country was committed to international peace and security, and had signed a number of protocols and conventions dealing with all aspects of the problem of the illicit trade in, and manufacture of, small arms and light weapons. Measures were being put in place to implement those instruments. But, dealing with the problem which was multi-dimensional, required international cooperation and information exchanges, and technology transfer. An inter-ministerial commission had been established to deal with all aspects of the question, including the link between the illicit trade in those arms and drug trafficking. The Government was promulgating legislation on the subject.
She noted that a public ceremony had been organized for later this year on the destruction of illicit weapons, and public awareness campaigns had been launched on the dangers of small arms. The culture of peace was also being inculcated into the public. She called for information exchange and international cooperation for effective licensing to check the trade in illicit weapons. Her Government had requested technical assistance from the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
TOYI ASSIAH (Togo) said that the illicit trade and proliferation of small arms and light weapons was a pernicious threat that could resist any attempt to eradicate it. Most international conferences had taken note of the phenomenon’s existence. Participants must now pledge to analyze and rapidly eradicate it. However, they must first identify such illicit trade and proliferation as well as the causes of it.
He said that the illicit trade in small weapons was particularly salient in developing countries because of the chronic instability and greed, as well as the poverty and urban crime there. Combating proliferation was a source of concern, but prevention must become the driving force. Togo had set up a national commission to combat the proliferation and illicit trade in small weapons, which had already destroyed more than 200 weapons confiscated by security forces. He appealed to countries and international organizations to continue to help Togo attain its goals in the arms field.
ADOLFO AGUILAR ZINSER (Mexico) said his Government had been implementing the Programme of Action. A number of lessons had been learned, including the need for legal instruments to combat the illegal trade in small arms. Another lesson was the value of international cooperation in tackling the problem. Mexico had made progress in establishing national regimes to deal with the problem, but a great deal had to be done at the international level. Mexico had put in place federal rules to regulate the trade and sales of small arms, including licensing and registration. A national coordinating body had also been set up to fight illicit trafficking in small arms.
He said his country had also developed close cooperation with its neighbours on the subject. More than 16,000 firearms and a great number of other weapons had been rendered harmless in the past year. Mexico had recently signed a protocol on the subject of small arms and had enthusiastically supported follow-up actions to the 2001 Conference. Governments would have to commit themselves to not allowing illicit arms to go to non-State users if conflicts were to be prevented. NGOs must also be involved in the fight to eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. Small arms were weapons of mass destruction in Central Africa, and the international community must act to stop the flow of those arms to the region.
PETR LITAVRIN (Russian Federation) said that strict control of the production, trade and export of small weapons had already been incorporated into his country’s legislation before the Programme of Action was adopted. In 2000, the Russian Federation and OSCE countries had elaborated and started implementing measures to reduce the illegal spread of small weapons. The main task was to increase efforts to tighten control over them, which would mean improving interaction between other nations and international law enforcement agencies.
At the beginning of the 1990s, he continued, the Russian Federation had difficulties with small arms, which were related to problems within his country, as well as neighbouring States. However, control had now improved in the country. In recent years, law enforcement agents had confiscated more than 20,000 firearms, including 9,000 grenades. Regular inspections were now being carried out, and inventories drawn up. A draft had been formulated for a State programme directed at small arms for the period 2003-2007. He hoped that the implementation of that programme would help provide a unified State system of accounting for small weapons.
PETER TESCH (Australia) said his country had developed a national firearm trafficking policy that provided for new laws, increased enforcement powers, improved customs and border controls, and stricter monitoring of firearms dealers. The adequacy of safe storage compliance was also being reviewed with an emphasis on owners’ obligations to safely store firearms and with stock-limits imposed to reduce the risk of theft from commercial stockpiles. Community access to handguns had been curbed, in particular, by a reduction in the circulation of concealable handguns. Those recent measures were in addition to an already strict firearm control policy, under which murder from firearms had decreased from 99 incidents in 1996 to 49 in 2001. That was a decrease from 31.7 per cent of homicides to
16 per cent. Also, firearms-related deaths had declined from 523 in 1996 to
331 in 2000.
At the regional level, he said agreement had been reached by Pacific Island States on advancing the conclusion of model legislation for a regional approach to weapons control. The agreement had been reached at a meeting Australia had co-hosted with Japan earlier this year. The model Weapons Control Bill would be tabled at the Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting in Auckland in August. In addition, Australia had been assisting Pacific Island countries to implement more effective stockpile management practices and to improve the physical security of armouries. His country would discuss that issue in greater detail during the present meeting’s thematic debate.
Finally, he said, his country supported increased transparency as a confidence-building measure in regional and international contexts that would increase the transparency of defence exports by including a specific category on small arms exports in its defence reports.
THOMAS GREMINGER (Switzerland) said his country had traditionally been dedicated to advancing peace and security between peoples and nations, as well as to conflict prevention and the promotion of economic prosperity. Unlike past conflicts, most wars today were civil wars. Fighters were regular army members under the control of both State and non-State actors. The wars were fought mainly using small arms and light weapons. The civilian population was often the target of violence. Given that situation, security should no longer be considered merely an inter-State matter. It should include a human security-centred perspective, which took account of individual security needs and those of vulnerable people. The human security approach combined aspects of security policy, development, peace promotion, human rights and humanitarian needs.
He said the subject of non-State actors was closely related to the new style of modern warfare. His country supplied small arms to non-State actors only with the consent of their national authorities. It had tried to get such a provision included in the 2001 Programme of Action, but the time had not been right. The questions involved should continue to be discussed informally. For example, how should the wording of national export criteria be phrased so as to make the criteria relevant for transfers to non-State actors, he asked. Likewise, a global tracing instrument to complement existing measures must be developed. The decision to commission a group of United Nations experts to examine the feasibility of such an instrument was an important step in that direction.
