Annual Report

Transcription

1 United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) Annual Report This report covers the activities carried out by UNLIREC between July 2010 and June

2 Executive Summary 1. UNLIREC at the Service of a Safer Region 2. Regional Context 3. Strengthening Peace and Security through Disarmament a. Public Security Programme b. Disarmamant Advocacy Programme c. Confidence- and Security-building Programme 4. Sub-regional Firearms Assistance Packages a. Andean Region b. Caribbean Region c. Central American Region 5. Disarmament Advocacy Activities Finances and Resource Mobilization Plans for

3 Executive Summary The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) presents its first Annual Report for 2011, which aims to provide relevant information to States of the region, the donor community, international organizations, and civil society organizations on the activities undertaken by UNLIREC between July 2010 and June UNLIREC has carried out more than 40 initiatives for the benefit of States and civil society organizations of Latin America and the Caribbean. In the Caribbean, UNLIREC provided technical assistance to nine States to improve stockpile management security and destroy surplus firearms and ammunition. In the Andean region, UNLIREC supported the four Andean States organizing a wide range of assistance activities, which included interinstitutional training courses for security sector personnel to combat illicit firearms trafficking, legislative support, assistance in creating and strengthening national firearms commissions and promoting regional integration. UNLIREC s assistance to Central American States has focused on three main areas: legislative assistance; inter-institutional training courses on combating illicit firearms trafficking for the law enforcement community; and armed violence prevention and reduction. With respect to South Cone States, UNLIREC concentrated its support in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation advocacy. In particular, UNLIREC promoted the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) and joined efforts with the Secretary-General in strengthening nuclear disarmament by accompanying States in their discussions on the Secretary-General s Five Point Proposal on Nuclear Disarmament. Moreover, the Regional Centre accompanied the States of this subregion during a regional meeting on negotiations of a future Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), promoted by UNIDIR and the European Union. UNLIREC has continued to strengthen relations with strategic partners: States in the region, stakeholders and beneficiaries of UNLIREC s assistance; the donor community that enables the daily operations of UNLIREC and the implementation of its assistance programmes; sub-regional organizations, and agencies of the United Nations System, with which the Regional Centre works in a coordinated manner to improve the quality of assistance provided to States; and civil society organizations. UNLIREC has succeeded at consolidating a relationship of trust with these latter partners whereby each party brings its own relevant experience and expert knowledge to the disarmament table. 1. UNLIREC at the Service of a Safer Region UNLIREC, as part and parcel of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, was created in 1986 by a United Nations General Assembly Resolution. 2 Its main aim is to strengthen peace and security through disarmament measures. The official mandate of UNLIREC is to provide "...upon request, substantive support for the 2 Resolutions A/43/76H and A/41/60. 3

4 initiatives and other activities of the Member States in the region, for the implementation of measures for peace and disarmament and for the promotion of economic and social development." In this context, the geographical scope of UNLIREC includes the entire Latin American and Caribbean region, made up of 33 States. 3 In implementing its mandate, UNLIREC develops practical disarmament measures that responding to the needs of States in the region in the area of disarmament aim at improving public security, promoting confidence-building measures, assisting in the design of policies and implementation of States obligations stipulated in disarmament instruments. 4 From its main office in Lima, Peru, and in coordination with its headquarters in New York, USA, UNLIREC responds to assistance requests from States through three programmatic areas: Public Security, 3 Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia, San Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela. 4 UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN 2001 PoA); International Tracing Instrument (ITI); Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UN Firearms Protocol); Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and other Related Materials (CIFTA Convention); Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, Chemical Weapons Convention, Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Treaty of Tlatelolco, Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development, or United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) and 1325 (2000), among others. Disarmament Advocacy, and Confidence- and Security-building. These three areas of assistance, in line with its mandate and vision, respond to the interest of States. Major Achievements UNLIREC s Inter-institutional Training Course on Combating Illicit Firearms Trafficking (IITC) was selected as regional best practice for firearms control More than 3,000 law enforcement officials trained on combating illicit firearms trafficking Most extensive in-house disarmament and arms control expert team in the region Technical and policy assistance for the establishment of national firearms commissions Over 100 disarmament conferences and highlevel meetings carried out Support in the destruction of 470,000 firearms and 500,000 rounds of ammunition Regional Context Security occupies a dominant place in the regional and domestic agenda of Latin American and Caribbean States. In recent years, as demonstrated by electoral campaigns held in 2010 and 2011, security became a central theme of electoral campaigns. Regional leaders, indeed, committed to adopt measures aimed at drastically improving public security. In this regard, it is noteworthy that although the region faces major challenges in this sense, Latin America and the Caribbean have stood out due to their commitment to disarmament and to the fact that they are at the forefront of international initiatives. At the sub-regional 4

5 level, States of the region have continued to strengthen their integration by promoting regional security dialogue at different levels with respect to conventional arms, as well as weapons of mass destruction. Participants during IITC practical training exercise held in Lima, Peru. Photo: UNLIREC From a security and disarmament perspective, firearms play a key role in the violence that plagues many Latin American and Caribbean States. Unlike other regions, armed violence does not occur within the borders of traditional conflicts between States, but rather in non-conflict settings. Armed violence and firearms proliferation pose a threat to public security, ultimately negatively impacting development indicators. According to the 2010 Latinobarómetro 5, crime represents a major concern of Latin Americans (27%), even over unemployment (19%). In 2010, homicides in Latin America and the Caribbean increased, on average, from 19.9 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2003 to 32.6 per 100,000 in A large number of transportation routes cross through the region, which facilitates illicit firearms trafficking, the main clients of which are found in criminal groups. 5 Latinobarómetro sp 6 Oficina de las Naciones Unidas para la Droga y el Delito (ONUDD), Estadísticas de Homicidios, Febrero The porosity of borders with innumerable blind spots, along with the lack of technology and trained personnel make border control one of the most challenging tasks for States, which are therefore more exposed and more vulnerable to illicit firearms, ammunition and explosives trafficking. While it is certain that the trafficking in firearms is more common, the risk of trafficking of dual-use items, which can be used for the manufacturing of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) is on the increase. One trend that has been consolidating over the past year is the privatization of security. It has been shown that States spend between 8 and 25% of their GDP on private security. The private security industry in the region employs about 3 million agents. In some instances the number of private security agents employed doubles the number of State security forces. Today, in Latin America and the Caribbean it is no longer possible to talk about public security without considering the presence of private security companies. The States of the region, especially those forming part of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), are engaged in an active process of promoting confidence-building measures as a means of enhancing peace and regional cohesion. In this regard, it is important to mention the elaboration by the Member States of UNASUR of a methodology that would serve to measure and report on defense spending in a standardized manner. Concerning the implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004) on the non-proliferation of WMDs, despite the fact that Latin American and Caribbean States have continued their efforts to combat WMD proliferation, the capacity of national authorities and regional cooperation still need to be strengthened. Of the 33 States of the region, 29 presented reports on the status of implementation of UNSCR 1540 resolution in The majority 5

6 of States however does not provide additional information on the measures put in place to facilitate its implementation, which shows that there is room to establish mechanisms for cooperation with States aimed at facilitating this task. The establishment of sub-regional coordinators to promote the implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004) in the Caribbean (CARICOM) and Central America (SICA) represents a step in the right direction. These coordinators will undoubtedly facilitate the implementation of activities during the coming year. With the future negotiation of an arms trade treaty close at hand, States in the region have an opportunity to share their positions and progress made concerning the main points of what would make up the agreement. In the Andean region, security occupies a privileged spot in the political agendas of leaders and represents one of the main concerns of society in general. Citizen insecurity and crime related to illicit trafficking in drugs and firearms present serious threats to the democracies of the Andean region, thus impeding socio-economic development. The diversion of surplus military stockpiles to illicit trafficking has been detected, while homicide rates have increased exponentially since the 80s. This increase in violence has revived the debate on the need to control firearms. IITC training module on the classification of ammunition. Photo: UNLIREC Together, the four Member States of the Andean Community (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru), with the support of UNLIREC, have launched promising initiatives that represent a significant boost to both national and regional arms control and combating of illicit trafficking. Among these initiatives is the establishment of national firearms commissions, the training of law enforcement officers, improvements in national firearms legislation, as well as advocacy campaigns to warn against the risks posed by firearms and to reduce their demand. UNLIREC s assistance has been fundamental in supporting the creation and strengthening of the National Coordination Committee, as well as in assisting in the formulation and improvement of national firearms legislations, their dissemination and mutual knowledge concerning national legislations, and analysis of comparative law. To this one can also add the invaluable contribution by UNLIREC in the field of training, technical assistance and exchange of best practices, and the contribution of accumulated experience. Adolfo López, Political Advisor of the General Secretariat of the Andean Community (CAN) The Caribbean region is facing an increase in crime and firearms-related violence mainly in urban settings. The increase in delinquency in the Caribbean is characterized by the use of ever-more powerful weapons. 70% 7 of the homicides in the Caribbean are committed with a firearm. This rate is one of the highest 7 CARICOM IMPACS, February

7 in the world. In this context, illicit trafficking is an increasing threat to social order, good governance, human security and the rule of law. Security-related problems in the region are aggravated by geography, making island States in the Caribbean even more exposed and penetrable by criminal organizations. Given this situation, it is noteworthy that the governments in the Caribbean have prioritized the issue of security, both in their national agendas, as well as at the level of CARICOM, establishing relevant national policies with a view to implementing coordinated arms control measures. Despite the efforts of national authorities in Central America, the spread of armed violence continues to increase and has an alarming impact on regional stability. Following decades of internal conflict, the Central American region continues to experience elevated numbers of firearms victims, in some cases, these numbers are even higher than in the years of armed conflict. Central America is, after South Africa, the region most affected by armed violence in the world, whereby homicide rates are four times higher than the world average. Central American States serve as a bridge between the northern and southern continents, as well as a gateway to the Caribbean, sharing borders with Colombia and Mexico. This fact, which certainly brings many advantages in the economic and cultural sphere, also brings with it risks, transforming Central America into a transit corridor and conduit for illicit trafficking between the north and the south, and serving as a magnet for transnational criminal organizations. These are all factors which ultimately contribute to deteriorating the security of citizens. It is in this context that the International Conference in Support of the Central American Security Strategy was held in June 2011 in Guatemala City. This Conference exemplifies the commitment by Central American States and the international community to building a safer region that paves the way for greater development. 3. Strengthening Peace and Security through Disarmament Under the three programmatic areas that outlined below, UNLIREC has developed a series of technical and policy assistance initiatives that allow States to effectively and comprehensively address the challenges related to disarmament and non-proliferation. a. Public Security Programme This programme focuses on strengthening the institutional capacities of States to improve and enforce arms control and prevent illicit trafficking. In recent years, the Public Security Programme has increased its offer to provide training to the State security forces, by expanding its range of services to include training And knowledge on armed violence prevention, private security and the prevention of firearms proliferation in schools. One of UNLIREC s most exemplary initiatives is its trademark course entitled Interinstitutional Training Course on Combating Illicit Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives (IITC), which aims to improve the coordination, cooperation and transparency among the members of the security sector to better control the legal firearms trade and prevent their illicit trafficking. The IITC was developed by experts in the field of public security, intelligence, stockpile management, weapons destruction, as well as legal matters. The course offers a standardized methodology that facilitates States implementation of the most relevant international firearms instruments. Since 2004, more than 3,000 law enforcement officials have received training throughout the region. The IITC was recognized as the Best Practice in the category of regional initiatives in the area of arms control during the Central American 7

8 Commitment Knowledge Fair, held in Panama in October In an effort to further enrich its training, UNLIREC, supported by the Colombian authorities, developed a Specialized Course for Judges and Prosecutors Against Trafficking in Explosives. This course sought to improve the technical knowledge of these professionals, and standardize the interpretation and application criteria within the existing regulatory framework. In this regard, and aware of the fact that good police performance is not sufficient in combating illicit trafficking, UNLIREC created a Specialized Training Course on Combating the Illicit Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives for Legal Practitioners and Judicial Officials, with the aim of improving the knowledge on international instruments and providing information, tools and technical instruments on the subject matter. This course can be extremely useful to States in fighting against impunity. Participants during IITC practical exercise. Photo: UNLIREC With regards to legal assistance, UNLIREC is specialized in undertaking legal studies to compare national legislation with international firearms instruments. These studies, which are presented and validated by the States themselves, identify gaps and make recommendations aimed at harmonizing national legislation with the provisions found in international instruments, thus facilitating States fulfillment of their commitments. In addition, UNLIREC also provides legal opinions or dictums on bills and draft laws relating to firearms, so that these may be adapted to the provisions found in relevant international instruments, thus facilitating their effective implementation. Moreover, under the guidance of its legal unit, UNLIREC has developed the Senior Policy Management Workshop on International Instruments for authorities responsible for the design and implementation of public policies in relation to arms control. The workshop focuses on a detailed study of the relevant international firearms instruments, while at the same time reviewing the obligations that adherence to these instruments entails, promoting their effective implementation and incorporation into the guidelines for creating national legislation. UNLIREC also has in-house technical and political expertise to assist States in the region in creating and strengthening their National Firearms Commissions. The national commissions constitute a prime mechanism to lead and coordinate national efforts to address complex problems, such as armed violence and illicit firearms trafficking, two closely linked realities that seriously affect the development of Latin America and the Caribbean. Concerning private security companies, UNLIREC has been a pioneer in emphasizing the importance of exercising oversight over this sector in view of the implications that the provision of these services produces in relation to firearms control and public security policies. In this regard, UNLIREC has drawn up technical guidelines to be taken into account in ensuring the safe management of weapons in the possession of private security companies and has carried out a study on 8

9 national legislation for the regulation of these services. In the area of prevention and reduction of armed violence, UNLIREC has developed a proposal entitled Preventing the Proliferation of Firearms and Armed Violence in Schools, with the purpose of building and strengthening the capacity of States to prevent firearms proliferation in educational centres and thus contribute to the prevention of armed violence. This proposal is based on the results of a First Regional Survey of Policies to Prevent Firearms Proliferation and Armed Violence in Educational Centres of Latin America and the Caribbean carried out by UNLIREC to gain more information on this emerging phenomenon. IEPADES has worked with UNLIREC for many years in the area of violence prevention in educational centres in Guatemela and based on this positive experience looks forward to the possibility of working with UNLIREC in the implementation of its proposal Preventing Firearms Proliferation and Armed Violence in Schools. Mayda de León, Deputy-Director IEPADES The destruction of weapons, on the other hand, is considered one of the most effective disarmament measures and allows States to dispose of obsolete and confiscated weapons or those surrendered by civilians in a definitive manner, ensuring that these weapons will not be used in committing any crimes. It should be noted that in order to properly manage State stockpiles, it is essential to prevent the weapons that were legally acquired by the State to be diverted to the illicit trafficking market. To this end, transparency in governance and bold policies aimed at combating corruption need to be adopted. Weapons destruction and stockpile management is an area of work in which UNLIREC has developed solid technical capacity and which allows it to offer first rate quality assistance to States. In this regard, UNLIREC has created Standard Operating Procedures in Stockpile Management and the Destruction of Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives. The standard operating procedures are generic in nature, thus facilitating their use and adaptation to any State, and were created as a complement to the International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS). UNLIREC also assists States in planning and implementing disarmament campaigns to raise awareness of public opinion on the risks posed by the illegal possession of firearms. As part of this process, UNLIREC promotes, among other measures, amnesty for the voluntary surrender of weapons, awareness campaigns in the media and the organization of public events. Workshop organized by CERAC in Bogota, Colombia. Photo: UNLIREC 9

10 b. Disarmament Advocacy Programme The main objective of the Disarmament Advocacy Programme is to promote the effective implementation of international instruments by assisting States in the region through seminars, workshops, conferences and dissemination of materials on the importance and best implementation practices relating to international instruments. In this regard, UNLIREC has developed a wide range of initiatives focused on promoting disarmament, such as seminars, conferences, workshops and high-level meetings, and has participated in numerous major disarmament events held in the region. Moreover, UNLIREC provides legal assistance to harmonize national legislation with the provisions found in international instruments on nonproliferation, as well as WMDs. With respect to the promotion of UNSCR 1540 (2004), UNLIREC developed a project proposal to adapt the methodology used in its IITC course to the specificities of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, with special emphasis on border control and import-export control. This proposal, which has received interest by States in the region and the donor community, is ready for implementation in UNLIREC and its partners have joined forces to develop a project entitled Disarmament and Non-proliferation Education targeting diplomats from the region with the aim of consolidating and strengthening their skills so that they can contribute constructively in negotiations on disarmament and nonproliferation and strengthen the commitment of States to effectively implement international instruments in this field. The educational materials are being developed by experts in each of the thematic areas, including nuclear, chemical and biological, as well as conventional arms. c. Confidence-and Securitybuilding Measures Programme This programme s main objective is to strengthen the capacity of States to promote transparency measures and confidencebuilding in order to consolidate a culture of peace and security, which will encourage the advancement of the regional disarmament agenda and support the development of policies that contribute to regional disarmament. In this sense, and in compliance with the provisions of the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, UNLIREC encourages States in the region to report their arms transfers as a transparency and confidence building measure among States. In a similar vein, UNLIREC also promotes the United Nations Standardized Instrument for Reporting Military Expenditures (MILEX). In this context, UNLIREC can support States in strengthening their capacities to improve internal coordination, as well as providing technical guidance in undertaking consultations between States and the preparation of reports. UNLIREC has become one of the go-to pillars for States when seeking cooperation to advance national policies and international recommendations on the issue. In the case of MERCOSUR (and Associated States), UNLIREC is a considerable ally in helping to put into practice international recommendations on small arms and light weapons. Fabián Brufau, Coordinator for Working Group on Weapons and Ammunition of MERCOSUR 10

11 UNLIREC considers the development of Defense White Papers by States as a process that would prove to be beneficial at several levels. On the one hand, it is a confidencebuilding measure that by publicly reporting on aspects of their national defense policy would increase State-to-state relations. On the other hand, the process of developing a Defense White Paper can be an excellent opportunity to strengthen democratic values, transparency, accountability and the inclusion of a human security approach in the defense policy of States. Classification of obsolete weapons for destruction under the supervision and monitoring of UNLIREC. Photo: UNLIREC 4. Sub-regional Firearms Assistance Packages With the purpose of promoting comprehensive solutions to the requests for assistance by States and coming up with initiatives that address firearms-related problems from a regional perspective, UNLIREC has designed and implemented a series of assistance packages that include actions to enhance the national capacities of States and improve sub-regional coordination. a. Andean Region The assistance package for the Andean Region aims to facilitate the effective implementation of international and regional legal instruments through the strengthening of national capacities to control firearms, as well as through improving legislation and implementation capacities in a coordinate manner among Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. This assistance package, financed to date by the Government of Canada, began implementation in 2010 and has continued to be implemented according to different phases of execution. To date, phases 1 and 2 have been completed, while phases 3 and 4 are scheduled to be put into practice in One of the initiatives of the assistance package is to undertake UNLIREC s Interinstitutional Training Course on Combating Illicit Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives (IITC). In total, during the reporting period, 240 law enforcement officials were trained from the four Andean countries through the organization of seven training courses, which covered several aspects of the fight against illicit trafficking. UNLIREC also carried out an avant-garde IITC course aimed specifically at women law enforcement officers from this sub-region with the aim of providing a quantitative leap in the number of women officers trained in combating illicit firearms trafficking so as to bridge the current gender gap. Peru would like to acknowledge the assistance provided by UNLIREC in implementing international firearms instruments, in particular, the support received in strengthening the national capacities of States in this respect. We trust that this valuable cooperation and technical assistance will continue in the years to come. Ambassador Luis E. Chávez Basagoitia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru 11

12 Some of the courses are conducted in a decentralized fashion in cities such as Tumbes (Peru) and Pereira (Colombia) with the aim of reaching out to an audience that previously had no opportunity to receive training in the fight against illicit trafficking. The organization of courses in other capital cities forms part of UNLIREC s strategy and that of the national authorities from the Andean Community to improve the fight against illicit trafficking at border areas, which is one of the great challenges of arms control of all States of the region. Given that the problem of trafficking is transnational in nature, it is necessary to strengthen the capacities for sub-regional coordination. In this sense, these courses provide fertile ground for the future development of bi-national and cross-border trainings in An example of the direct impact of the IITC held in Tumbes is the successful seizure of 1,800 rounds of ammunition by law enforcement officers who used the techniques and procedures acquired during the previously received IITC course. Among the initiatives already underway is the development of a specialized training course for legal practitioners and judicial operators aimed at strengthening the capacity of judges and prosecutors in charge of investigating cases related to illicit firearms trafficking. Moreover, a specialized course for judges and prosecutors was held on trafficking in explosives to improve the technical knowledge of these professionals, and the standardized criteria of interpretation and implementation within the existing legal framework. The problems posed by explosive present its own set of characteristics due to the fact that explosives are used in the defence of national security, mining and construction. In this regard, it should be noted that while the lawful use of explosives brings great benefits, it is also true that these explosives in the hands of criminal groups can have detrimental effects. IITC practical exercise in Pereira, Colombia. Photo: UNLIREC An important aspect of the assistance package is the provision of legal and policy support on the implementation of international and regional instruments. In this sense, one can highlight UNLIREC s legal studies on national legislation and the support given to the strengthening and creation of National Firearms Commissions. As a direct impact of this assistance, one can cite the progress made by Bolivia, which, previously being the only State in the region without a firearms act, it now has elaborated a draft law currently in Parliament for discussion and possible adoption. Another notable example includes the creation of a National Firearms Commission in Ecuador. In order to promote regional integration, UNLIREC organized the II Sub-regional Seminar on the Implementation of the Andean Plan to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its Aspects, most commonly known as Andean Community Decision 552. This is the second meeting organized by UNLIREC to support the implementation of Decision 552. The first initiative, held in May 2010, sought to contribute to the formation of the Operative Committee. The objective of this activity was to monitor the efforts of States to promote the implementation of Decision 552 and provide a forum for dialogue between the 12

13 Andean States, the Andean Community Secretariat and civil society organizations. Moreover, in collaboration with the Government of Spain and the Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons, UNLIREC undertook the VII Seminar on Implementation of the UN Programme of Action (PoA) Against Illicit Trafficking and Proliferation in Small Arms in Latin America, in October Participants discussed issues relating to the meeting of the Group of Experts and the 2012 PoA Review Conference on the Programme of Action, along with the regulation of private security firms and border control. Discussions focused on how governments and civil society organizations can prevent illicit firearms trafficking and strengthen good governance. Main Activities in the Andean Region Bolivia La Paz, March 2011 Seminar on National Firearms Commissions La Paz, April 2011 Legal study La Paz, June 2011 Legal opinion (legal dictum) on draft firearms law La Paz, April 2011 IITC La Paz, April 2011 Sub-regional legal study on Decision 552 La Paz, April 2011 II Sub-regional Seminar on Decision 552 La Paz, June 2011 Seminar on National Action Plan and Baseline Studies Colombia Bogota, February 2011 Seminar on Illicit Trafficking in Explosives Pereira, March 2011 IITC Bogota, Apil 2011 Legal study Bogota, June 2011 Workshop to Support the Development of a Baseline Study Ecuador Quito, January February 2011 IITC Quito, April 2011 Legal study Quito, February 2011 Seminar on National Firearms Commissions Quito, February 2011 High-level 25 participants (22 men + 3 women) high-level officials Presented to Bolivian authorities for their consideration Recommendations presented to authorities prior to submitting draft law to parliament 59 officials (39 men + 20 women) Presented to authorities from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and the Secretary-General of the Andean Community during the II Meeting of the Operative Committee of Decision delegates (26 men + 9 women) from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, the Secretary- General of the Andean Community, civil society and experts 21 high-level officials (19 men + 2 women) 27 judges and prosecutors (12 men + 15 women) 62 officials (48 men + 14 women) from the Colombian law enforcement community Presented to Colombian authorities for their consideration 32 representatives (24 men + 8 women) from the Armed Forces, Police, Intelligence Agency and Customs Authority 62 officials (46 men + 16 women) from the law enforcement community in Ecuador Presented to Ecuadorian authorities for their consideration 15 high-level officials (8 men + 7 women) 24 high-level officials (18 men + 6 women) 13

14 Peru Seminar on International Instruments Quito, June 2011 Seminar on National Action Plans and a Baseline Study Lima, September 2010 Legal study Lima, November December 2010 IITC (Women Officials from the Andean Region) Lima, April 2011 Legal study Tumbes, March 2011 IITC Lima, March 2011 Sub-regional Expert Meeting for Legal Practitioners and Judicial Operators Lima, March April 2011 Legal study on implementation of Decision high-level officials (13 men 6 women) members of the National Firearms Commission Presented to Peruvian authorities for their consideration 38 women officials from the law enforcement community from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru Presented to Peruvian authorities for their consideration 57 officials (51 men + 6 women) from the law enforcement community of Peru 15 experts (10 men + 5 women) from Andean States + other States in the region Presented to authorities in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and the Secretary-General of the Andean Community b. Caribbean Region UNLIREC received requests for assistance from Caribbean States and on the basis of those it developed an assistance package focused on weapons destruction and stockpile management, security forces training to combat illicit trafficking and legal assistance to harmonize national legislation with international instruments. UNLIREC, in collaboration with national authorities, began the implementation of activities in 2009 with support from the United States Government, and as of 2011, from the Government of Canada. Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Granada, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago represent the first nine States, which would benefit from the assistance package. The assistance package offered by UNLIREC in the Caribbean region is expected to be available to all those Caribbean countries not taking part in the initial phase of the project. UNLIREC undertook, in coordination with national authorities, detailed studies on the state of arsenals of the Armed Forces and the Police from the nine original States. Recommendations were made concerning improvements to be made on the issue, which included an inventory on the arms available for destruction. In this regard, a Best Practice Workshop on Firearms Destruction and Stockpile Management was held in August 2010 in the Dominican Republic, which brought together representatives from all participating States, as well as experts on the matter. One of the recommendations made by UNLIREC to States was to reconsider the deepsea dumping of weapons given that it constitutes an environmentally un-friendly practice. 14

15 "The weapons destruction and stockpile management assistance provided by UNLIREC to the Englishspeaking Caribbean, thanks to the governments of both the USA and Canada, represents an important assistance initiative to CARICOM States. The efforts undertaken by UNLIREC are in synchronization with the projects of CARICOM/IMPACS." Francis Forbes, Executive Director ad interim CARICOM/IMPACS The development of National Action Plans (NAPs), which also formed part of the assistance provided by UNLIREC, is a very important step, because it is through these plans that the governments translate their strategies into action in the medium- and long-term to strengthen their capacity and properly harmonize national laws on firearms, identifying priorities and setting goals and approximate time of implementation. In this sense, UNLIREC recommends that the NAPs elaboration process be participative and inclusive and in compliance with the provisions stipulated in the international instruments ratified by the State. The adoption and presentation of NAPs took place during the Regional Workshop on Weapons Destruction and Stockpile Management held in December 2010 in Trinidad and Tobago. One tangible outcome of the workshop included the creation of a regional network of experts and the identification of national focal points responsible for coordinating the implementation of these NAPs. In addition, UNLIREC and national authorities took specific steps towards planning for concrete improvements in the security of 35 identified weapons arsenals and in the destruction of an estimated 50,000 firearms and 35 tones of ammunition identified in the region. These activities will take place between late 2011 and On the other hand, UNLIREC also provided legal assistance to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, at the request of national authorities. A legal study was undertaken in Jamaica, while a legal dictum was issued in the Dominican Republic. With a view to promoting the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development, UNLIREC participated in a United Nations mission in September 2010 at the request of the Government of Jamaica to develop a proposal focusing on prevention and reduction of armed violence on the island. In this context, UNLIREC was identified as the lead agency for assistance in controlling firearms. Agnes Marcaillou, Chief of the Regional Disarmament Branch of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs during the closing ceremony of the IITC for women law enforcement officials from the Andean region. Photo: UNLIREC 15

16 Antigua and Barbuda Main activities carried out in the Caribbean Saint John June 2011 Presented the National Baseline Assessment on Stockpile Management and Weapons Destruction and NAP Bahamas Nassau August 2010 Presented the National Baseline Assessment on Stockpile Management and Weapons Destruction and NAP Belize Belmopan November 2010 Presented the National Baseline Assessment on Stockpile Management and Weapons Destruction and NAP Dominican Republic Grenada Jamaica Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago Santo Domingo August 2010 c. Central American Region Santo Domingo November 2010 Santo Domingo January 2011 Saint George September 2011 National Workshop on Stockpile Management and Weapons Destruction 36 participants (35 men + 1 woman) members of the law enforcement community Presented the National Baseline Assessment on Stockpile Management and Weapons Destruction and NAP Presented the legal dictum on the bill of law Presented the National Baseline Assessment on Stockpile Management and Weapons Destruction and NAP Kingston September 2010 Presented the National Baseline Assessment on Stockpile Management and Weapons Destruction and NAP Kingston June 2011 Presented the comparative legal study to national authorities Castries December 2010 Presented the National Baseline Assessment on Stockpile Management and Weapons Destruction and NAP Kingstown October 2010 Presented the National Baseline Assessment on Stockpile Management and Weapons Destruction and NAP Port of Spain August 2010 Presented the National Baseline Assessment on Stockpile Management and Weapons Destruction and NAP Port of Spain December 2010 United Nations Regional Workshop on Weapons Destruction and Stockpile Management in the Caribbean: Assessment to Action - 45 participants (36 men + 9 women) members of the law enforcement community After attending the International Conference in support of the SICA Security Strategy, taking into account requests for assistance from the Central American States, UNLIREC developed 16

17 an assistance package on arms control with the aim of continuing with the work it had already been undertaking in this sub-region. This initiative included strengthening the capacities of law enforcement officials in combating illicit firearms trafficking, enhancing national capacities to comprehensively address the use of firearms by private security companies and preventing the proliferation of firearms in schools. View of the International Conference in Support of the Central American Security Strategy. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama During the period of this report, and thanks to the support received by the Governments of Spain and Sweden, UNLIREC was able to carry out an IITC in El Salvador and Guatemala that resulted in the training of more than 120 law enforcement officers belonging to the police, armed forces, intelligence, customs, public prosecutors and criminal investigators. The main impact of UNLIREC s Interinstitutional Course on Combating Illicit Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives (IITC) in July 2011 in El Salvador was the endorsement of the contents of the manual by the academic council of the National Public Security Academy (ANSP) and the fact that its contents will now form part of its on-going training. Moreover, officers of the National Civilian Police (NCP) of El Salvador who successfully complete the course will receive credits towards NCP s internal promotion system. With respect to the IITC carried out in May 2011 in Guatemala, considerable progress in improving inter-institutional cooperation was made possible thanks to the climate of collaboration and willingness created among national authorities, which was in particular sponsored by the Technical Secretariat of the National Security Council. The participation of the Institute for Teaching on Sustainable Development (IEPADES) and the Public Defender's Office was also seen as an effort to incorporate experts with ample experience in small arms control and armed violence prevention. UNLIREC s assistance to the State of Guatemala is valuable, effective and extremely beneficial, given its support in strengthening and building the capacities of different institutions participating in the training processes underway with respect to the prevention and reduction of armed violence. Arnoldo Villagrán, Ex-Coordinator of the Technical Secretariat of the National Security Council of Guatemala In the spirit of inter-institutional cooperation, UNLIREC and the Organization of American States (OAS) updated comparative regional legal studies on the level of compliance of the national legislations of the Central American Integration System (SICA) States with the provisions found in international firearms instruments. In this regard, UNLIREC s legal team identified gaps in the national legislation, as well as conditions to establish more solid legal frameworks from a more harmonized regional perspective. In addition, 17

18 UNLIREC responded to a request from the Government of Panama to assist in the updating of its legal firearms framework. As an expert in stockpile management, UNLIREC was invited to an inter-agency activity organized by the National Commission for the Prevention of Violence and Promotion of Social Peace in Guatemala to share its technical knowledge on firearms, including firearms classification and international regulations on stockpile management of firearms and ammunition. In the same line of work, UNLIREC was invited to participate in a workshop organized by the OAS in January 2011 in Guatemala, in which UNLIREC presented lessons-learned for OAS weapons collection programmes for Central American States, Colombia and Mexico. For the third consecutive year, the III Seminar on Armed Violence and Development was undertaken in Guatemala in November The Seminar, co organized by UNLIREC, UNDP, and the Government of Spain, brought together SICA States, Colombian and Mexican delegates, as well as officers from the UN system and civil society representatives. The innovative methodology used during the seminar was based on a participatory approach whereby participants took part in talk-shops and working groups aimed at identifying good practices and lessons-learned with respect to youth, armed violence and resilience, borders, armed violence and organized crime, privatization of security, and the rule of law. The progress made in the working group on private security served as the basis for the organization for a meeting of a group of experts on the matter and allowed for the creation of an assistance toolkit for States. Considering that armed violence has already been acknowledged as an obstacle to achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals, elaborating prevention strategies and reducing its impact have become essential. In this connection, it is important to recall that both the States of the region and civil society organizations in Central America have recently undertaken numerous efforts to minimize the impact of armed violence and promote a society based on values such as peace, tolerance and respect. Inauguration of the III Seminar on Armed Violence and Development in La Antigua, Guatemala. Photo: Spanish Cooperation Main activities undertaken in Central America Costa Rica San Jose December 2010 Presented preliminary legal study on harmonization of national legislation with international firearms instruments El Salvador San Salvador December 2010 Presented preliminary legal study on harmonization of national legislation with international firearms instruments San Salvador July 2011 Inter-institutional Training Course on Combating the Illicit Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives (IITC) Guatemala Guatemala City December Presented preliminary legal study on harmonization 18

19 Nicaragua Panama 2010 of national legislation with international firearms instruments Guatemala City May 2011 Inter-institutional Training Course on Combating the Illicit Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives (IITC) La Antigua November 2010 III Seminar on Armed Violence and Development Managua December 2010 Presented preliminary legal study on harmonization of national legislation with international firearms instruments Panama City December 2010 Presented preliminary legal study on harmonization of national legislation with international firearms instruments Panama City July 2010 Presented legal dictum on draft law 5. Disarmament advocacy activities With the purpose of promoting an interactive dialogue on the UNSG s Five Point Proposal on Nuclear Disarmament among Latin American and Caribbean, UNLIREC participated in the Seminar entitled Latin America and the Caribbean: Facing Disarmament and Non-proliferation Opportunities and Challenges, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, the Global Action Against War and the Freidrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation (FES) in Uruguay in November UN Secretary General Five Points Proposal on Nuclear Disarmament launched in 2008, purports to highlight the Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), urging State Parties to the Treaty to undertake effective disarmament and transparency measures, as well as limit their production and trade of conventional weapons, and new weapons bans, including of missiles and space weapons. In another line of action, UNLIREC supported the organization of a facilitation event on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) on the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, held in Peru in November The event, undertaken by the Governments of Peru and the United States of America, invited delegates from different countries in the region, sub-regional and multi-lateral organizations to take part in the meeting. Participants agreed that an enhanced implementation of the Resolution would eventually have positive reverberating effects in terms of regional security and stability, governability, and human and economic development. In this sense, it was pointed out how lessons can be drawn from the fight against firearms proliferation could serve as a basis to take further steps in efforts to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Photo of Regional ATT Seminar in Uruguay. Photo: UNIDIR In this context, and based on UNLIREC s ample experience in strengthening national capacities, providing legal assistance and undertaking advocacy activities in the region, UNLIREC stands ready to support the implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004) by adapting its capacity-building methodology to the specificities related to WMD 19