Date

Theme

Speakers/Participants

Prof. Keith Krause
Programme Director, Small Arms Survey; and Director, Programme for Strategic and International Security Studies (PSIS)

The Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights met in Geneva on 7-25 August. As part of its work, it will hear the final report of the Special Rapporteur on the prevention of human rights violations committed with small arms and light weapons, Prof. Barbara Frey. Prof. Frey will present and discuss in detail her report, which addresses two international legal principles that are critical to understanding the nature and extent of the State’s obligation to prevent human rights violations committed with small arms: the due diligence responsibilities of States to prevent small arms abuses by private actors and the significance of the principle of self-defence with regard to the State’s human rights obligations to prevent small arms-related violence. The report brings a new perspective to the controversial debate within the UN small arms process on States' obligations to regulate the civilian possession of small arms and light weapons.

To divine some answers to these questions, the pre-launch of "Reviewing Action on Small Arms 2006: Assessing the first five years of the UN Programme of Action" was organised by the Geneva Forum partner organisations. This third in a series of "red books" has been produced by Biting the Bullet – a joint project of International Alert, Saferworld and the University of Bradford. It provides a "comprehensive and up-to-date review and analysis of progress towards implementation of the PoA, and of the consequent issues and priorities for the 2006 Review Conference."

Moderator:
Dr. Patrick Mc Carthy,
Coordinator, The Geneva Forum

Around 40 participants comprising mostly representatives of a diverse group of governments along with a number of representatives of specialised international organisations and NGOs attended this small, high-level, informal meeting one month before the Review Conference to take stock of the state of preparations for the Review Conference and to discuss any difficult issues that may arise at the Review Conference.

H.E. Dr. Sylvester E. Rowe, Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations (New York); Chair-designate of the Small Arms Review Conference Preparatory Committee

Participating Organisations
Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue - Franciscans International - International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) - International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) - Oxfam - Small Arms Survey - Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) - World Health Organisation (WHO)

17 November 2005

Report 232KB

Small Arms and Light Weapons: Transfer Controls

Under the terms of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, States have committed themselves to implement strict controls on small arms transfers (export, import and transit). In particular, they undertake:

“To put in place, where they do not exist, regulations and administrative procedures to exercise effective control over the…export, import, transit or retransfer of [small arms and light weapons]” (PoA, Section II, paragraph 2)

and

“To assess applications for export authorizations according to strict national regulations and procedures that cover all small arms and light weapons and are consistent with the existing responsibilities of States under relevant international law, taking into account in particular the risk of diversion of these weapons into the illegal trade. Likewise, to establish or maintain an effective national system of export and import licensing or authorization, as well as measures on international transit, for the transfer of all small arms and light weapons, with a view to combating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.” (PoA, Section II, paragraph 11).

On 17 November 2005, the Geneva Forum organised a conference on ‘Small Arms and Light Weapons: Transfer Controls” in order to provide an opportunity for States, international bodies and civil society organisations to discuss transfer controls in the context of the PoA, in an informal setting, with a view to sharing regional experiences on the issue of transfer controls and to identifying steps to be taken to advance the issue before the first PoA Review Conference on 26 June – 7 July 2006.

The conference was held at UN Headquarters in Geneva and was attended by over 100 people representing 38 governments, 6 UN bodies or international organisations, and 17 NGOs. The conference was jointly chaired by H.E. Dr. John Freeman, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the Conference on Disarmament, and Dr. Patricia Lewis, Director of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR).

Mr. Henry Smith, Head of Arms and Security, Export Controls and Small Arms Programme, Saferworld

Mr. Craig MacLachlan, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations

Mr. Richard Nabudere, Commissioner of Police, Uganda National Focal Point on Small Arms

Mr. Ernesto Martínez Gondra, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United Nations

Mr. Rick de-Caris, Programme Officer, SaferAfrica

Mr. Simon Johnson, Security Policy Group, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, United Kingdom

Mr. Leonard Onyonyi, Kenyan National Focal Point on Small Arms

H.E. Mr. Kari Kahiluoto, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Finland to the Conference on Disarmament

Mr. Paulino Franco de Carvalho Neto, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Brazil to the United Nations

Ms. Ellen Schut, Arms Control and Arms Export Policy Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands

30 September - 2 October 2005

Report 125KB

Strategies for Strengthening the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons

The United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects will undergo its first comprehensive review on 26 June – 7 July 2006 at UN Headquarters in New York, five years after it was agreed. This Review Conference presents the international community with its first opportunity to strengthen this important global instrument with a view to making it better able to address the serious and wide-ranging human security challenges posed by the uncontrolled proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons around the world.

Both the formal and informal components of the second Biennial Meeting of States (BMS2) to consider implementation of the UNPoA went a long way towards identifying the issues that States and civil society consider to be of greatest importance when it comes to increasing the effectiveness of the PoA. These include issues that could not be resolved at the 2001 Small Arms Conference – e.g. the regulation of civilian ownership of small arms and the prohibition of their transfer to non-State groups – as well as issues that subsequent research and policy formulation have highlighted – e.g. common standards for transfer controls, addressing the factors driving the demand for small arms, providing assistance to the survivors of gun violence, etc.

Much strategic preparatory work is needed before the summer of 2006 in order to ensure that issues such as these can be adequately addressed at the Review Conference and, if possible, effectively integrated into the global regime on small arms control. Important opportunities for such preparatory work include the meeting of the UN General Assembly’s First Committee on Disarmament and International Security (3 October – 4 November 2005) and the meeting of the review conference Preparatory Committee (9-20 January 2006).

In order to provide an additional opportunity for focussed discussion and strategising, the Geneva Forum organised an informal, residential seminar on 30 September – 2 October 2005 entitled, “Strategies for Strengthening the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons.” The seminar brought together 30 high-level representatives of governments, international organisations and NGOs from New York, Geneva and national capitals at the Harrison Conference Centre in Glen Cove, New York.

14 & 15 July 2005

Report 46KB

27 June 2005

7 April 2005

Report

8 November 2004

Report
1,227KB

Firearm-related Violence in Brazil

This seminar launched and discussed a major new study, supported by the World Health Organization and the Small Arms Survey, to document and analyse firearm-related death and injury in Brazil. The study was conducted by the Centre for the Study of Violence at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, and was supported by the Geneva International Academic Network and the by Government of Canada.

The study is unique in several respects, in particular with regard to the breadth of information sources used, the rigour with which the analyses were conducted, and the time period over which trends in firearm-related violence were studied.

The study’s Joint Coordinator, Dr Nancy Cardia of the Centre for the Study of Violence at the University of São Paulo, presented its main findings and recommendations. Dr. David Meddings of the WHO commented on the study’s relevance to the UN process on small arms and light weapons. Dr. Peter Batchelor of UNDP reflected on how to move forward with the recommendations of the report, and on the specific contribution of the joint WHO/UNDP Armed Violence Prevention Programme.

Dr. Nancy Cardia, Centre for the Study of Violence, University of São Paulo
Presentation - 75KB

Prof. Keith Krause, Programme Director, Small Arms Survey

Conflict Goods: Perpetuating Violent Conflict and Fuelling the Demand for Weapons

The trade in precious goods such as gem-stones, hardwood, narcotics, rare animals and plants, etc., has long been recognised as playing a central role in many parts of the world in perpetuating violent conflict and fuelling the demand for weapons, including small arms and light weapons. This seminar took a closer look at how these so-called “conflict goods” are exploited to finance or otherwise maintain the war economies of contemporary conflicts.

Neil Cooper of the University of Plymouth provided an overview of the strategies used by actors in conflicts to exploit the trade in conflict goods in order to sustain weapons acquisition and war economies. Alex Yearsley of Global Witness – a UK-based NGO working on resources, conflict and corruption – focused specifically on the challenge of eradicating the trade in “blood diamonds” in West Africa and on how this trade is exploited by organised crime and terrorist networks. Both speakers commented on the effectiveness of existing international efforts to control the trade in conflict goods and offered additional policy recommendations.

1 July 2004

Report

“Rights at Risk”: Launch of the Small Arms Survey 2004 Yearbook

The 2004 edition of the Small Arms Survey focuses on the linkages between the abuse of human rights and the widespread proliferation, availability and use of small arms. It explores the impact of arms exports to human rights abusers, the role of weapons in global violence and crime, and the implementation of human rights standards in police forces worldwide. The Survey also includes new and updated information and analysis on global small arms production, stockpiles, and transfers.

This edition also focuses on new issues such as the proliferation of man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS), the role of arms brokers, and the impact of weapons proliferation in the Pacific Islands region.

Ambassador Christian Faessler, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations

Ambassador François Rivasseau, Permanent Representative of France to the Conference on Disarmament

Mr. Thomas Greminger, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Dr. Daniel Warner, Deputy to the Director, Graduate Institute of International Studies

Prof. Keith Krause, Programme Director, Small Arms Survey

Dr. Glenn McDonald, Senior Researcher and Yearbook Coordinator, Small Arms Survey

29-30 January 2004

Report

PDF,154 KB

The Role of Regional Organisations in Stemming the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons: Sharing Experience and Drawing lessons

This initiative of the Geneva Forum brought together for the first time senior representatives of regional organisations with significant programmes to tackle the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. As its title suggests, the aim of this intensive two-day residential seminar was to encourage the sharing of experience, best practice and lessons learned with a view to developing more effective action at the regional level to combat the illicit small arms trade. Governmental and nongovernmental action at the regional and sub-regional levels is particularly important in addressing the global scourge of illicit small arms. Coherent and well-coordinated regional strategies can facilitate the adoption by governments in the region of effective national strategies, which in turn can have a positive impact on grass-roots efforts to address the problem. Yet regional realities differ a great deal, as do the challenges facing regional attempts to address the illicit small arms trade. Unfortunately, there is no mechanism that allows regional organisations to share information on how they are dealing with the problem and to learn from each other’s experience. This seminar was a first step toward filling this gap. Participants provided a candid appraisal of the illicit small arms trade in their respective regions, outlined the range of activities that their organisations are undertaking to combat this trade, and commented on the impact of these activities and how this is being measured. Participants also focused on the main gaps or shortcomings in their programmes, highlighted the principal lessons that they have learned and considered which “best practices” might be transferable to other regions. Finally, participants placed their regional work on small arms within the context of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and discussed how similar exercises in sharing of experience between regions might take place.

Participants:

Andean Community - Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) - Canada - Caribbean Community (CARICOM) - Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue - Interpol - Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) - Japan - League of Arab States - Mercosur - Nairobi Secretariat - Netherlands - Organisation of American States (OAS) - Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) - Pacific Islands Forum - Programme for Coordination and Assistance for Security and Development in Africa (PCASED) - Regional Human Security Center, Jordan - Saferworld - South Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) - Small Arms Survey - Switzerland - United Kingdom - UN Development Programme (UNDP) - UN Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America (UN-LiREC) - West African Action Network on Small Arms - Geneva Forum Partner Organisations -

Regional Approaches to Stemming the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons

This lunchtime seminar provided an opportunity for diplomats and representatives of international and nongovernmental organisations to interact with senior representatives of regional organisations that the Geneva Forum had invited to take part in a residential seminar on the role of regional organisations in stemming the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons (see entry for 29-30 January 2004, above). The seminar provided an insight into the approaches of three different organisations to addressing the illicit small arms trade in their respective regions. In addition, representatives from the following regional organisations also participated in the seminar’s discussion: The Andean Community, ASEAN, the Caribbean Community, ECOWAS, EU, Mercosur, Nairobi Secretariat, OAS, OSCE, Pacific Islands Forum, PCASED, Regional Human Security Centre (Jordan), UN Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the West African Action Network on Small Arms.

Mr. Wa’el Al-Assad, Director, Department of Disarmament Affairs, League of Arab States

Ms. Jakkie Potgieter, Director, Arms Unit, SaferAfrica

Mr. Adrian Wilkinson, Head, South Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC)

19 June 2003

Report

The UN Programme of Action on Small Arms: How much progress have we made?

This seminar provided a preview of the “Biennial Progress Report” published by IANSA and produced by the Biting the Bullet partners - Saferworld, International Alert and the University of Bradford. The report is the first substantive review of progress by States towards implementing the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms. It draws on data gathered from 156 countries by Biting the Bullet partner organisations and IANSA members and analyses relevant national, regional and international processes across the world. It assesses what progress has been made, focusing in particular on a range of countries with different experiences in advancing the small arms agenda.

Dr. Kuniko Inoguchi, Ambassador, Delegation of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament, Chair Designate of the First UN Biennial Meeting to consider implementation of the Programme of Action on small arms.

Mr. Owen Greene, University of Bradford, UK (member of the Biting the Bullet consortium)

Ms. Rebecca Peters, Director, International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA)

9 April 2003

Report

Small Arms in the Pacific

This seminar launched and discussed the latest Small Arms Survey occasional paper (number 8), written by Philip Alpers and Conor Twyford, which examines a wide range of small arms-related issues in 20 nations of the southern Pacific. The study investigates the status of existing firearms legislation, the extent of legal stockpiles and illicit trade, and the socio-economic impacts of armed conflict on Pacific communities. Case histories examine more closely the disarmament process in Bougainville and the Solomon Islands, along with the widespread disruption wrought with small arms in Fiji and Papua New Guinea. Current initiatives to combat small arms trafficking in the region are also examined, as is the place of the regional “Nadi Framework” in the context of the UN Programme of Action on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.

Mr. Philip Alpers, Senior Fellow, Harvard Injury Control Research Centre, Harvard School of Public Health, USA.

Mr. David Capie, Centre for International Relations, University of British Columbia, Canada.

27 March 2003

Report

The question of the trade, carrying and use of small arms and light weapons in the context of human rights and humanitarian norms

While small arms proliferation is not a new phenomenon, there is a growing concern in the international community about the grave human toll that results from easy access to firearms and other lethal weapons. In addition to the deaths and injuries caused by small arms, there are also serious concerns about the barriers to social and economic development that are created by small arms-related violence. This seminar discussed the need for the international community to evaluate the role of small arms in more and graver human rights and humanitarian violations. Prof. Barbara Frey outlined the findings of the Working Paper she presented in August 2002 to the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights entitled "The question of the trade, carrying and use of small arms and light weapons in the context of human rights and humanitarian norms" (E/CN.4/Sub.2/2002/39).

Ms. Barbara Frey, Director, Human Rights Programme, University of Minnesota, USA

Shortly after this seminar, the UN Commission on Human Rights endorsed the decision of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights to appoint Prof. Frey as Special Rapporteur to prepare a study on the prevention of human rights violations caused by the availability and misuse of small arms.

The Role of International Organisations at the First Biennial Meeting to Consider Implementation of the UN Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons

In preparation for the first biennial meting to review implementation of the UN Programme of Action on small arms and light weapons, the Geneva Forum organised a consultation between H.E. Dr. Kuniko Inoguchi – the Japanese Ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament and the Chair-designate of the first biennial meeting – and representatives of Geneva-based International Organisations to discuss the shape and substance of the first biennial meeting and the modalities of International Organisation participation in it. This meeting constituted part of an extensive series of consultations by Ambassador Inoguchi with UN member states and international and nongovernmental organisations.

Participants:

Japan - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) - United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) - World Health Organisation (WHO)

Consultation with UN Agencies and Intergovernmental Organisations on Small Arms-related Work

This sixth in the series of Geneva Forum consultations with United Nations Agencies and Intergovernmental Organisations (IGOs) focused on sharing information on the latest developments in the small arms work of Agencies and IGOs and strategising in advance of the first biennial meeting to review implementation of the UN Programme of Action on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, scheduled to take place on 7-11 July 2003 in New York. UN Agencies and IGOs played an important role during the July 2001 UN conference that agreed and adopted the UN Programme of Action on small arms by highlighting the adverse humanitarian, human rights and development consequences wrought by small arms. Participants agreed that similar interventions in July 2003 would be important to highlight the enduring extent of the problem and to assess the impact that the UN Programme of Action was having on people in the most affected countries.

Participants:

Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue - International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) - Small Arms Survey - United Nations Development Programme - Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

3 December 2002

Report

Making Global Public Policy: The Case of Small Arms and Light Weapons

This seminar discussed the latest Occasional Paper from the Small Arms Survey, co-authored by Edward Laurance of the Monterey Institute of International Studies and Rachel Stohl of the Center for Defense Information in Washington, DC. The seminar explored how states, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organisations have taken up the challenge set by the UN Programme of Action on small arms in a broad series of meetings, programmes and policies. It went beyond this description, in both the presentations and the discussion that followed, to assess the extent to which action on small arms can be analysed in terms of a global public policy framework, as has been applied to other global problems such as pollution, HIV/AIDS, nuclear proliferation and anti-personnel landmines. Dr. Laurance concluded with the observation that, while the efforts made to date are encouraging and must continue, work in this area must become more inclusive and multidimensional if it is to be truly effective.

Mr. Edward Laurance, Professor of International Policy Studies, Monterey Institute of International Studies

Dr. Camilo Reyes, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations

24 June 2002

Report

Small Arms Survey 2002: Counting the Human Cost

The Geneva Forum arranged the Geneva launch of the 2002 edition of the Small Arms Survey, which focuses on the humanitarian and human dimensions associated with the widespread proliferation, availability and use of small arms.  It includes new and updated information and analysis on global small arms production, stockpiles, and transfers and a review of national, regional and international measures to address the issue of small arms proliferation.  It also focuses on some new issues such as the humanitarian impacts of small arms availability and use, a review of weapons collection and destruction programmes, and a detailed assessment of the outcome of the 2001 UN Small Arms Conference.  The Small Arms Survey, published by Oxford University Press, is recognised as the leading international source of impartial and public information on all aspects of the small arms issue. Its blend of data and analysis makes it an indispensable tool for diplomats, policy-makers, activists and researchers around the world. It is produced annually by a team of researchers based at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, and a worldwide network of local researchers and partners.

Mr. Christopher Westdal, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Canada to the Conference on Disarmament

Mr. Thomas Greminger, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland

Prof. Keith Krause, Programme Director, Small Arms Survey

Mr. Peter Batchelor, Project Director, Small Arms Survey

4 June 2002

Informal Consultation with UN Agencies and Intergovernmental Organisations on Small Arms-related Work

This meeting followed up on one held on 25 October 2001 (see below) and moved this regular series of Geneva Forum consultations into the post-UN conference phase.  The meeting welcomed two representatives of the Small Arms and Demobilisation Unit of UNDP's Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, which recently moved to Geneva from New York.  Participants updated one another on small arms work being carried out by their respective organisations.  In particular, UNDP informed about the regional small arms activities it is carrying out in the Balkans and in the Great Lakes region of Africa; the Geneva Forum gave an update on its recently launched "Geneva Process" to support implementation of the small arms Programme of Action; WHO made a presentation on a new project - in cooperation with the Small Arms Survey and the Institute for Legal Medicine at the University of Geneva - with the aim of understanding what moves people to acquire arms and then to use them; and the Small arms survey described a study it is conducting on how field staff of humanitarian organisations perceive the dangers created by the wide availability of small arms.

Participants:
Small Arms Survey - United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - World Health Organisation (WHO) - Geneva Forum Partner Organisations

7-8 February 2002

Report

Implementing the UN Programme of action on Small Arms:  What needs to be done?

The Geneva Forum gathered 36 experts from governments, UN agencies, non-governmental organisations and research institutes to discuss, over two days, the implementation of the UN "Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects" adopted in July 2001 in New York.  The meeting had three goals:  To generate an overview of small arms work that is already underway in different parts of the world, to highlight the main challenges and opportunities facing this work and, finally, to come up with concrete proposals on how to advance the implementation of the Programme of Action. 

The workshop provided participants with an opportunity to share information on and compare experiences of their efforts to stop the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in their respective countries and regions.  The discussions underlined three main points: that a significant amount of political will has been generated by the adoption of the Programme of Action, that numerous initiatives are already underway in various parts of the world in an effort to implement its provisions, and that there is a strong desire among numerous governments, regional organisations and non-governmental organisations to coordinate and cooperate with one another in fighting the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. 

Meeting held under the Chatham House Rule

14 November 2001

Following up on the UN Small Arms Conference: Some Examples of Effective Action

Four months after the United Nations adopted a Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects, the Geneva Forum invited three experts - one from a government, one from a nongovernmental organisation and one from a UN Agency - to present examples of ongoing work aimed at addressing the problem of small arms and light weapons.  The main aim of this seminar was to demonstrate that the UN small arms conference was not the end but just the beginning of a long process aimed at stopping the illicit trade in small arms and that the Programme of Action provides a mandate for important work to be carried out at the regional and national levels as well as in the area of data-collection.  Thomas Markram of the South African Permanent Mission first reported back on small-arms related work at the recently concluded UN General Assembly First Committee in New York.  Elisabeth Clegg of Saferworld gave an overview of the Szeged Small Arms Process in South-eastern Europe as well as small arms initiatives in Southern Africa and East Africa.  Etienne Krug outlined WHO's multi-year project, in cooperation with the Small Arms Survey, to collect data on the health impacts of small arms, especially in badly effected countries.

Ms. Elisabeth Clegg, Arms and Security Programme Manager, Saferworld, London.

Dr. Etienne Krug, Director, Department of Injury and Violence Prevention, World Health Organisation.

Mr. Thomas Markram, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of South Africa.

25 October 2001

Following Up the UN Conference on Small Arms & Light Weapons: The Programme of Action and Beyond

This meeting followed up on three earlier consultations that the Geneva Forum had held with UN Agencies and intergovernmental organisations on their preparations for the UN small arms conference held on 9-20 July 2001 in New York.  The purpose of this meeting was to provide participants with an opportunity to air their general views on the Programme of Action adopted by the conference, to share information on work related to small arms that is already underway or is being planned within their organisations, and to discuss appropriate coordination measures and Geneva-based small arms initiatives.

Participants:
International Committee of the Red Cross - United Nations Development Programme - World Health Organisation - Small Arms Survey - Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue - UNIDIR - QUNO

21-23 June 2001

Advancing the Agenda of the UN Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects

Organised in cooperation with the Biting the Bullet project

This residential seminar, held over three days in Jongny s/Vevey, brought together a diverse group of governments and some NGOs to discuss, in an informal manner, the main issues of contention for the July 2001 UN small arms conference (these issues had been identified during the Geneva Forum debriefing seminar of 19 April 2001, see below). Over half of the government representatives came from Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the rest from Geneva permanent missions.  All will play central roles in their government's delegations to the UN 2001 Conference. Issues discussed included:

• Small Arms Management Issues; including stockpile management and security, collection and destruction of illicit small arms and management and responsible disposal of surplus small arms.
• Controlling the Transfer, Use and Possession of Small Arms; including export controls and export criteria, arms brokering and transportation, transfers to non-state actors, domestic regulation of possession and use of small arms.
• Enhancing Cooperation and Information Exchange; including marking, tracing, record-keeping and transparency issues.
• Scope, Definitions and Other Key Debates; including the debate over the "illicit trade in all its aspects," "excessive and destabilising accumulation," issues to be addressed in the preamble, etc.
• Implementation and Follow-up; including provisions for assistance to ensure implementation, objectives of follow-up, scope and dimensions of international arrangements for follow-up, key targets for the first Review Conference.

Countries Represented:
Algeria - Argentina - Australia - Belgium - Brazil - Canada - China - Colombia - Czech Republic - Egypt - France - India - Indonesia - Iran - Ireland - Japan - Jordan - Kenya - New Zealand - Norway - Pakistan - Russian Federation - South Africa - Sweden - Switzerland - United Kingdom

Other Groups Represented:
Geneva Forum partner organisations - Biting the Bullet partner organisations - Small Arms Survey - Quaker United Nations Office, New York - Institute for Security Studies, South Africa

30 May 2001

Consultation with UN Agencies on their preparations for the UN 2001 conference on small arms and light weapons

This third in a series of Geneva Forum consultations with UN Agencies and other bodies focused mainly on Agencies' final preparations for the UN Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects (9-20 July 2001).  With a view to improving coordination, Agencies shared information on such issues as special events they planned to organise throughout the conference, including the release of specially commissioned reports; the overall format of the conference, including time allocated for Agency and NGO presentations; as well as their plans for post-conference follow-up.

Participants:
International Organisation for Migration - World Health Organisation - International Committee of the Red Cross - United Nations Development Programme - United Nations Children's Fund - Small Arms Survey

Weapons for Development: An innovative approach to micro-disarmament and peace-building in Cambodia

Speaking from his direct experience as Weapons for Development Advisor to the European Union programme of Assistance for Curbing Small Arms and Light Weapons in Cambodia (EU ASAC), Dr. Poulton described in detail the elements of the project which include: a new draft arms law; the dissemination of public information in cooperation with civil society organisations; the newly-devised civil-military code of conduct; improved storage and record keeping that is being introduced for official arms stocks; and the voluntary weapons collection programme that has been started, offering "weapons-for-development." Ms. Lindahl Kenny of the Swedish Permanent Mission provided introductory remarks on behalf of the European Union.

Mr. Robin-Edward Poulton, Senior Research Fellow, UNIDIR / Weapons for Development Advisor to the European Union ASAC Programme in Cambodia

Ms. Anneli Lindahl Kenny, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Sweden

19 April 2001

Consultation with UN Agencies on their preparations for the UN 2001 conference on small arms and light weapons

This meeting followed up on a similar one held after the completion of the 2nd PrepCom for UN 2001.  Agencies reported back on their impressions of the 3nd PrepCom, at which most had made presentations, and shared their plans for small arms-related activities during the period running up to the conference and beyond.  Agencies requested that the Geneva Forum organise two further meetings before the July 2001 conference - one at the end of May to focus on post-conference follow-up activities and one in mid June to facilitate a final exchange of information before the conference.

Patricipants
International Committee of the Red Cross - World Health Organisation - United Nations Children's Fund - United Nations Development Programme - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights - Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue - International Alert

19 April 2001

The 3rd Preparatory Committee for the UN Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects; a Progress Report

This seminar followed up on a similar one held on February 9 following the completion of the 2nd PrepCom for UN 2001.  With all PrepComs for the UN 2001 Conference now having taken place, Stefano Toscano of the Swiss Federal Dept. of Foreign Affairs began the discussion by outlining the reactions that the latest version of the draft Plan of Action (Doc. L.4/Rev.1) had elicited and identified the most controversial issues that remain to be addressed at the conference itself.  Sarah Meek of International Alert provided an NGO perspective on the process and proposed a number of possible outcome scenarios ranging from agreement on L.4/Rev. 1 to the failure of the conference due to an excessive watering-down of the plan of action.

Ms. Sarah Meek, Manager, Security and Peacebuilding programme, International Alert

Mr. Stefano Toscano, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

1 March 2001

Report

Humanitarianism Under Threat:
The Humanitarian Impacts of Small Arms

The speakers presented the results of a study of the humanitarian impact of small arms commissioned of the Small Arms Survey by the Reference Group on Small Arms of the United Nations Inter-Agency Standing Committee.  The study was based on data on civilian mortality and injury, forced displacement, declining access to entitlements, targeting of humanitarian personnel, refugee camp militarisation and opportunity costs to Agencies collected in Kenya, Colombia and East Timor.  The study demonstrates, i.a., that indicators of the humanitarian impacts of small arms can be recorded and are, to some extent, quantifiable and that the humanitarian impacts of small arms are so pervasive and systemic that they are often not recognised for what they are.

Mr. Eric Berman, Independent Consultant

Mr. Robert Muggah, Researcher, Small Arms Survey

9 February 2001

The 2nd Preparatory Committee for the UN Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects; a Progress Report

The speakers gave their personal interpretations of the work conducted at the 2nd PrepCom for the July 2001 UN conference on small arms and light weapons.  John Borrie set the UN 2001 process in context by outlining its relationship with other related processes such as the Vienna negotiations on curbing the illegal trade in firearms in connection with transnational organised crime and the overarching process of globalisation.  J.S. Mukul argued, i.a., that more procedural issues - such as the modalities of NGO participation - should have been resolved at the PrepCom and stressed that the final outcome of the conference process would be a political document or declaration.  Peter Batchelor, presenting an NGO perspective, outlined in more detail the state of play in deciding upon how NGOs would participate in the July conference and argued that donors should support the participation at the conference of NGOs from the South and that governments should add small arms experts from NGOs to their delegations.

Mr. Peter Batchelor, Project Director, Small Arms Survey

Mr. John Borrie, Deputy Head of Mission, New Zealand delegation to the Conference on Disarmament

Mr. Jagdish Saksena Mukul, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of India

Consultation with UN Agencies on their preparations for the UN 2001 conference on small arms and light weapons

At this first informal consultation with representatives of UN and other Agencies convened by the Geneva Forum, the organisations present provided overviews of their work on the issue of small arms and light weapons and, in particular, of their preparations for the July 2001 UN Small Arms Conference.  They also discussed ways of (1) improving inter-Agency coordination in the run-up to the UN 2001 conference, (2) mobilising public opinion in support of combating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and (3) highlighting the humanitarian and development aspects of the small arms problem.  The Agencies requested the Geneva Forum to compile an email list of small arms focal points in Agencies in both Geneva and New York in order to facilitate coordination (this was duly completed).  They also requested that the Geneva Forum convene another such informal consultation following the 3rd PrepCom for UN 2001 (see 19 April 2001 above).

Participants:
International Organization for Migration - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights - United Nations Children's Fund - United Nations Development Programme - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - International Committee of the Red Cross - Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response - Small Arms Survey

December 2000

Publication of
The Geneva Forum: Seminars on Small Arms (Vol. 1)

9 November 2000

Report

Setting Course for the 2001 Conference on Small Arms

One-day conference organised in collaboration with the International Action Network on Small Arms - Small Arms Survey - Geneva NGO Committee for Disarmament - “Biting the Bullet” Project (International Alert, British American Security Information Council, Saferworld) - Geneva Action Network on Small Arms (Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Quaker United Nations Office, International Peace Bureau, the World Council of Churches and others)

This conference brought together a diverse group of experts from governments and non-governmental organisations to discuss issues to be addressed by the UN Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects to be held on 9-20 July 2001. Discussion centred around the following issues:

• We've Got the Vienna Process; Who Needs 2001?
• Why Do Regional Initiatives Matter?
      -   Regional Initiatives in Africa
      -   The European Union Code of Conduct
      -   Regional Initiatives Versus Global Action
• Working Together; Local and Global Responses
      -   Local Responses in Sierra Leone
      -   Governments, IOs, NGOs and UN 2001
• Legal Controls and Transparency Issues
      -   Legal Controls
      -   Licit vs. Illicit Trade
• Advancing International Action
      -   Convergence and Difference
      -   NGOs, IANSA and UN 2001

Ms. Geraldine O'Callaghan, British American Security Information Council (BASIC).

Ms. Virginia Gamba, Institute for Security Studies, South Africa.

Ms. Martine Bernard; Amnesty International, France.

Mr. Owen Greene, Department of Peace Studies, Bradford University, UK.

Ms.Florella Hazeley, Christian Council of Churches, Sierra Leone.

Mr. Ed Laurence, Monterey Institute for International Studies / International Action Network on Small Arms.

Mr. Paul Eavis, Saferworld, UK.

Mr. Michael Klare, American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Mr. Bennie Lombard, Permanent Mission of South Africa to the UN, Geneva.

Ms. Sarah Meek, International Alert, UK.

Ambassador Carlos dos Santos, Permanent Representative of Mozambique to the UN, New York / Chair of the UN 2001 Conference Preparatory Committee.

21 September 2000

Running Guns: The Global Black Market in Small Arms - an Agenda for Action

Lora Lumpe presented an overview of the major areas covered in the newly published book Running Guns: The Global Black Market in Small Arms. The book analyses the black- and grey-market trade in small arms and asks, i.a, the following questions:  what precisely is involved?  How is the illicit trade conducted?  Who are the main players?  What are the impacts?  What needs to be done to combat the illicit trade?  Speaking from the perspective of international law as it relates to small arms transfers, Emanuela-Chiara Gillard made a presentation on "What's Legal? What's Illegal?, a chapter she prepared for the book.

Ms. Lora Lumpe, Senior Associate, Peace Research Institute, Oslo.

Ms. Emanuela-Chiara Gillard, Legal Advisor, International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva. 

5 September 2000

The Status of Conflicts in Africa and the Role of Small Arms

This half-day seminar was organized for members of African delegations only.  Potgieter and Gamba looked at historical, internal, and external factors related to current conflict realities on the continent of Africa.  This context is necessary to understand if effective management strategies for dealing with the widespread availability and proliferation of small arms and light weapons are to be designed and implemented.

Ms.Virginia Gamba, Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria, South Africa.

Ms.Jakkie Potgieter, Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria, South Africa.

4 September 2000

African Initiatives on Small Arms Management

During the first week of September, a team from the Arms Management Project of the Institute for Security Studies in South Africa came to Geneva for week of seminars and meetings.  The Geneva Forum organized two of these and QUNO organised two further meetings.  This meeting was open to all Geneva missions and others and brought participants up to date on recent sub-regional inter-governmental initiatives on small arms in southern Africa, eastern Africa, and west Africa in relation to the particular small arms problems facing different African settings.

Ms.Virginia Gamba and other members of the ISS team, Arms Management Project, Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria, South Africa.

Regulating the Activities of Arms Brokers and Shipping Agents: Issues and Proposals

The small arms problem is one with many dimensions.  Of particular importance to the proliferation of small arms globally is the legal and illegal trade.  One aspect that makes this trade difficult to monitor, let alone control, is the role of middle men - the brokers and the shipping agents, the deal makers who arrange for the shipments of quantities of small arms to different parts of the world, particularly conflict regions.  This dimension remains largely un-addressed by most governments.  In their presentation, Wood and Peleman illustrated this issue, drawing on their recently published book "The Arms Fixers: Controlling the Brokers and Shipping Agents" (Peace Research Institute-Oslo, 1999) and outlined proposals for controlling the activities of brokers.  Brian Johnson Thomas further illustrated the work of small arms brokers, based on his wide experience as an investigative journalist.

Mr. Brian Wood, Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers (NISAT)

Mr. Johan Peleman, International Peace Information Service, Antwerp, Belgium

Mr. Brian Johnson-Thomas, Journalist / Independent Researcher

29 November 1999

Report

War, Peace and Light Weapons in Colombia: A Case Study

At this seminar organized by the Geneva Forum, Mr. Daniel García-Peña discussed the interrelations between proliferation and the causes and nature of armed conflict, linking the issues of war, peace and light weapons in the context of internal armed conflict in Colombia.

Mr. Daniel García-Peña Jaramillo, Scholar-in-Residence, School of International Service, American University, Washington DC, USA.

5 May 1999

Report

The Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfer: West Africa and Beyond

At this seminar organized by the Geneva Forum, Mr. Ole-Petter Sunde summarized the history, description and initiatives of the NISAT (Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfer).

Mr. Ole-Petter Sunde, Director, Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers (NISAT) and Norwegian Red Cross.

15 March 1999

Report

Monitoring the Flow, Availability and Misuse of Light Weapons: A New Tool for the Early Warning of Violent Conflict

At the sixth seminar organized by the Geneva Forum, Dr. Edward Laurence summarized what is known about the role of weapons proliferation, accumulation, availability and misuse in the conflict process.  He then discussed a brief typology of these indicators and their sources, and some specific recommendations on how these important indicators can becomes a more vital part of the early warning process, both in theory and in practice.

Mr. Edward J. Laurence, Professor of International Policy Studies, Monetary Institute of International Studies and Director, Programme for Arms Control, Disarmament and Conversion (PACDC).

25 February 1999

Report

The United Nations and Small Arms: The Role of the Group of Governmental Experts

Ambassador Mitsuro Donowaki, Graciela Uribe de Lozano and Ambassador André Mernier were invited by the Geneva Forum to discuss the role of the United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on Small Arms, of which they were then members. According to Ambassador Donowaki, the recognition, at the end of the Cold War, that small arms and light weapons served to prolong conflicts, increase casualties, and hinder reconstruction and political development led, in 1995 to establishment of the UN Panel of Government Experts on Small Arms. The role of the Panel has included making recommendations on measures to address the issue of SALW. According to Mrs. Graciela Uribe de Lozano, the major issue to address in preventing the indiscriminate circulation and trafficking to small arms and their disastrous effect include: the regulation of civilian ownership and possession of arms;  and lack of state control over weapons protection, facilities and outlets. Ambassador Mernier's presentation focused on specifying three goals and analysing the underlying dynamics of the UN Group of Experts and delineating possible actions for the future.

Ambassador Mitsuro Donowaki, Chairman of the UN Group of Governmental Experts and Special Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Japan.

Ms. Graciela Uribe de Lozano, Disarmament Area Coordinator, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Colombia.

Ambassador André Mernier, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the Conference on Disarmament.

7 December 1998

Report

The International Commission of Inquiry (Rwanda): Lessons and Observations from the Field

Mr. Eric Berman discussed the International Commission of Inquiry's work on Rwanda and the significant of the ongoing rebellion and war in the Democratic Republic of Congo as it related to the Commission's mandate.

Mr. Eric Berman, Visiting Researcher, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, Geneva, and the Institute for Security Studies, South Africa.  Formerly the Political Affairs Officer for the UN International Commission of Inquiry (Rwanda).

23 September 1998

Report

Weapons: A Question of Health?

Based on the concern voiced by Governments, experts and other organisations about the increasingly large quantities of light weapons available to non-state actors, the third in the series of the Geneva Forum seminars focused on effects of weapons that result specifically from the design, nature or technology of the weapon.  Dr. Coupland and Dr. Meddings presented the case that health-related data concerning the effects of weapons can be used to help determine which weapons cause "superfluous injury or unnecesssary suffering."

Mr. Robin M. Coupland, Surgical Coordinator and Advisor on the Effects of Weapons, International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva.

Mr. David Meddings, Epidemiologist, Health Operations Division, International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva.

16 September 1998

Report

Illegal Arms in Albania and European Security

Dr. Chris Smith discussed this topic in light of the regional and international implications of weapons diffusion triggered by the collapse of the Albanian state in early 1997 and subsequent measures proposed to address this problem.  In his opinion, legalizing illegal weapons is not an appropriate measure to address the availability of weapons in Albania. Instead, a slightly less contentious approach could be a root and branch reform of the security forces in exchange for delayed amnesty. Margarita Gega described a series of measures that Albanian government had enacted in order to disarm the population.

Mr. Chris Smith, Senior Research Fellow, North-South Defence and Security Programme, Centre for Defence Studies, King's College, University of London, UK.

31 July 1998

Report

Conventional Arms Transfers: Surplus Weapons and Small Arms

The first in the series of the Geneva Forum seminars focused on what to do with the weapons which become surplus to requirements. Dr. Herbert Wulf sketched out the broad dimensions of the surplus weapons problem in the area of conventional weapons and elaborated a range of  suggested directions for national and international policy development.  He gave particular attention to the surplus weapons issue as it related to small arms and light weapons.

Mr. Herbert Wulf, Director, Bonn International Centre for Conversion, Federal Republic of Germany.

4 November 1997

Tracking Light Weapons Proliferation: Developing Regional Responses and the UN Role

Owen Greene and Paul Eaves addressed policy options by international and regional bodies for liming light weapons proliferation, and demonstrated that there are indeed things that can be done.  Eaves introduced the topic with an overview of the light weapons problem, recognising that it was a complex issue with similarly complex implications for policy responses, but noting that an important avenue is to aim to have an impact on the demand-side of weapons flows by linking security assistance in a more integrated way with development assistance. Apart from regional approaches, Greene pointed out that internationally the control of flows of light weapons can be done b destruction of surplus arms, traceability of weapons and transparency.

Mr. Owen Greene, Senior Lecturer, International Relations and Security Studies, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, UK.

Mr. Paul Eavis, Executive Director, Saferworld, UK.

Restricting the Traffic in Light Weapons: National and International Initiatives

Dr. Jeffrey Boutwell, Associate Executive Officer, American Academy of Arts and Sciences