Combating the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in small arms and light weapons

Abstract

Small arms and light weapons are the primary tools of violence in many conflicts taking place in the world, they are the primary instruments of murder and other criminal acts. The easy availability of small arms and light weapons exacerbates and prolongs armed conflicts, hinders economic and social development, promotes crime, nurtures cultures of violence and produces an extraordinary worldwide burden of cumulative personal tragedies and public crises. Today the world in flooded with small arms and light weapons, numbering at least 500 million, enough for one of every 12 people on earth. Most of these are controlled by legal authorities, but when they fall into the hands of terrorists, criminals and irregular forces, they bring devastation. Furthermore, small arms and light weapons are easy to buy, easy to use; with minimal training even a child can wield one, easy to conceal and transport. Since they require little maintenance, they can last for decades. They cause big losses, and most of all they are deadly. However the most devastating impact of small arms and light weapons is that they effect the most vulnerable, especially teen-agers. The light weight, transportability and ease of use of small arms and light weapons has facilitated one of the most abusive elements of contemporary armed conflicts, notably the engagement of children as armed combatants. Therefore it is a matter of urgent public responsibility that the international community acts now to address the problem of the proliferation, accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons mostly resulting from their illegal manufacturing and trafficking. In recent years, campaigns against landmines, for debt relief and for an international criminal court have demonstrated the extraordinary capacity of 01dina1y people to band togethe1 behind a cause and fundamentally change the policies of governments. Surely, the illicit manufacturing of and trading in small arms and light weapons deserves a similar attention. Therefore, civil society and NGOs have a major role to play, they should continue and intensify their efforts in order to combat this crime more effectively and create a safer world.