Small Arms and Light Weapons

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2005

India Takes its Arms Beefs to the UN (February 25, 2005)

Worried by an increase in the flow of arms into Northeast India and by arms proliferation in Bangladesh and Nepal, the Indian Home Ministry and External Affairs Ministry have developed a proposal for an international ban on small arms sales to non-state actors. India hopes to get the draft to the UN, but its success depends greatly on the willingness of influential arms-exporting nations to cooperate. (Asia Times)

<Amnesty, Oxfam Call for Urgent Adoption of UN Arms Trade Treaty (January 26, 2005)

The "Tracing Legal Tools" report produced by Amnesty International, Oxfam and the International Action Network on Small Arms calls on the UN to "adopt a legally binding system that will make it possible to trace the origin and transfer of millions of small arms, light weapons, and ammunition that are traded worldwide." The lack of a tracking mechanism prevents exposing those who sell arms and fuel many of the world's largest crises. In addition, the small arms trade makes it impossible for nations to impose UN arms embargoes against governments and warlords. (OneWorld US)

2004

Fewer Guns, but Tensions Persist in Liberia (October 28, 2004)

The UN pays each demobilized fighter $300 through its disarmament program, but the money fuels "corruption among former commanders andâ€¦ resentment among ordinary Liberians." Commanders extort money from soldiers who disarm and from civilians they force to pose as former combatants, highlighting the control they still exert in Liberia. Meanwhile, US development policies favor hiring ex-combatants over civilians in an attempt at reintegration. Instead, the policies are leaving civilians increasingly frustrated as they feel that ex-fighters are being privileged for their crimes. (Christian Science Monitor)

Worth the Paper It's Written On? (April 28, 2004)

The author questions the effectiveness of the "Nairobi Protocol for the Prevention, Control and Reduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons," recently signed by eleven African nations. The Protocol does not establish uniform international penalties for arms trafficking. The author argues that this omission will simply encourage dealers to shift their operations to nations where punishments are less severe. (Inter Press Service)

New Protocol to Fight Small Arms (April 21, 2004)

Eleven African countries have signed a protocol aiming to reduce trade and use of small arms in their regions. The protocol will oblige states to take concrete actions, such as passing legislations to outlaw the illegal manufacture and possession of small arms. (Agence France Press)

Proliferation of Small Arms Poses Threat to Kenya (February 18, 2004)

The Permanent Secretary of the Kenyan Foreign Ministry expresses concern that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Kenya is posing a threat to the country. In addition to ongoing efforts by the government to seize and destroy illegal firearms, neighboring countries need to cooperate with Kenya to achieve long-term peace in the region. (China View)

Much of World's Conflict Fueled by Small Arms (January 26, 2004)

In this UN Wire column, Barbara Crossette deplores the fact that the Security Council deals with the problem of small arms on a case-by-case basis only. In the absence of a global treaty to control small arms, these Council decisions could serve as useful precedents for future small arms control efforts.

2003

Action Urged on Deadly Small Arms Trafficking (April 23, 2003)

The UN estimates that 57 people are killed by small arms and light weapons every hour. Small arms have become "de facto weapons of mass destruction", a disarmament expert said. (Reuters)

Small Arms, Large Casualties (April 23, 2003)

Small arms are responsible for most of the world's combat-related killings. The number of small arms and light weapons in circulation worldwide is estimated at 500 million and the number of people killed run into tens of thousands per year, says Hindustantimes.

Food for Guns Offered in Mexico (April 13, 2003)

In order to reduce the presence of illegal guns in Matamoros, Mexico's authorities exchange food coupons for firearms. The campaign has netted hundreds of guns, high-powered AK-47s, R15s and even grenades. (Brownsville Herald)

Focus on Arms Trafficking (March 25, 2003)

The flow of arms from Europe to conflict zones in Africa and elsewhere has undermined human rights protections for civilians in recipient countries. Given that several potential future NATO members have trafficked conventional weapons to warring parties, the organization needs to set a clear standard on the arms trade and help countries meet it, says Human Rights Watch.

OSCE-UN Call For Action to Combat Small Arms Trafficking (March 12, 2003)

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) works with the UN on a number of key issues relating to small arms. Export controls, security and information must be reviewed to halt illegal trade of light weapons that helps perpetuate intra-state wars and increases the risk of terrorism.

Use of Firearms on the Increase (February 18, 2003)

A recent increase of violent crimes involving small arms has caught the attention of the Malawian government. The use of weapons undermines the democratic process, says the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security. (Chronicle)

Worrying Problem of Small Arms Proliferation (February 18, 2003)

As arms proliferation in Nigeria soars, fueling ethnic and religious conflicts, a national workshop attempts to promote a culture of peace and find lasting solutions. (This Day)

Women in Brazil Take A Stand Against Guns (February, 2003)

On Mother's Day 2001, the NGO "Viva Rio" launched a campaign to bring together women to force the men of Brazil to give up their guns. In the last 10 years, 300,000 people have been killed in Brazil as a result of the proliferation of guns. (Amnesty)

Playing With Fire (Fabruary 3, 2003)

A Human Rights Watch report argues that Kenya has become a "great market" for small arms. The country, encircled by a conflict area, finds its peace and security endangered.

Where Children Rule With Guns (January 19, 2003)

The Brazilian film "City of God" may be shocking, but the reality of small arms trafficking is far worse. Almost 4,000 children under the age of 18 were killed in Rio between 1988 and 2002 - more than eight times the combined number of Israeli and Palestinian children killed in the same period. (Guardian)

Short Calls for UN Control of Gun Trade (January 15, 2003)

The availability of guns threatens both poor and wealthy nations by causing a "new world disorder," says the UK International Development Secretary. An estimated 639 million small arms are currently in circulation - more than one for every 10 people on the planet. (Guardian)

18 Million Illegal Weapons in Pakistan: Small Arms Survey 2002 (January 14, 2003)

Pakistan possesses approximately 18 million illegally-held weapons, say officials in Islamabad. The Musharraf government has launched a countrywide anti-arms drive in a bid to curb the quantity of unauthorized arms within the country. (Dawn)

How Europe Deals With Weapons (January 10, 2003)

The Guardian explains briefly the situation of small arms in some of the major European countries. Violence and insecurity have become very important issues around the continent.

2002

Pacific States Committed to Combating Illegal Arms Trade Says Forum Chief (October 17, 2002)

The Pacific Islands Forum countries urge member states to renew their efforts to implement the UN program of action on combating the illicit trade in small arms. (BBC)

Arms Trade, Human Rights, and European Union Enlargement (October 8, 2002)

A number of Central and Eastern European countries have recently recognized the need to tighten controls over arms trade. The EU enlargement process provides a unique opportunity for current member states to reshape arms trading practices in these countries. (Human Rights Watch)

How to Thwart Merchants of Death (August 15, 2002)

Halting the proliferation of illicit small arms is the most urgent problem Africa has to face, argues the Nation. The author approaches the issue from an economic perspective and proposes to address the supply and distribution of weapons, rather than the demand.

UN Backed Study Estimated 639 Million Small Arms in World (June 24, 2002)

A second UN-sponsored Small Survey study places arms availability estimates at an even higher number than last year. The improvement of data gathering techniques has allowed for a much more accurate reflection of the arms availability situation. (Associated Press)

Despite Demobilizing Efforts, Guns Are Hard To Disable (February 28, 2002)

The UN campaign to disarm and demobilize thousands of young rebels in Sierra Leone is neither cheap nor easy. The campaign is costing $31 million and unless the guns are completely destroyed, many components can still be salvaged and recycled into new conflicts. (Chicago Tribune)

Arrest Aids Pursuit of Weapons Network (February 26, 2002)

US and EU law enforcement officials disrupt the world's biggest weapons-trafficking network run by Victor Bout, a former Soviet military officer. A suspected top associate of Bout's is under arrest in Belgium, and investigators say he is providing inside information on how the arms network functions. (Washington Post)

2001

UN Exposes Arms Smuggling (November 6, 2001)

A recent UN report on Liberia has uncovered the alleged involvement of a Singapore-registered private company in financing an arms deal in Liberia. The chairman of the Indonesian Djan Djajanti group that owns the private company is reportedly a close friend of Liberian President Charles Taylor. (News 24)

Can Sources and Supplies of Small Arms and Light Weapons Be Traced? (Number 1, 2001)

Ambassador Jení¶ C.A. Staehelin of Switzerland comments on a French-Swiss initiative for the UN Chronicle. The international agreement should enable States to identify and trace lines of supply of small arms and light weapons.

West Africa and the Moratorium on Small Arms (August 27, 2001)

The Perspective criticizes the extension of the moratorium as being a largely symbolic "paper tiger". ECOWAS implemented the moratorium in 1998 to quell the increase of light weapons. However, largely due to lack of an enforcement mechanism, the number of small arms in the region has increased, as has the escalation of civil conflict.

UN Conference on Small Arms Achieves Mixed Results (August 17, 2001)

World Policy Institute comments that the final Program of Action from the conference was "long on rhetoric and short on concrete commitments". However, the most important legacy of the conference may prove to be consciousness raising from the unprecedented international focus on the problem of small arms.

Removing Small Arms from Society (July, 2002)

After providing a broad overview of small arms in Africa, Europe and Asia-Pacific, this Small Arms Survey paper analyses the feasibility of a weapons collection program.

Small Arms, Violence, and War Crimes (July 18, 2001)

Two events have dominated newspapers for the past two weeks: the trial of Milosevic at the Hague for war crimes and this week's UN conference on small arms. None, however, have made the connection between the two: the crimes for which Milosevic is standing trial were committed, and probably could only be committed, with small arms. (All Africa)

Dealers in Death (July 17, 2001)

Since the end of the Cold War, corrupt officials and army officers in Eastern Europe have turned to illicit arms smuggling. If the UN conference fails to make any headway, these arms dealers will continue to fuel African civil wars by infusing Soviet-era arms into the hands of warlords. (Daily Mail and Guardian)

Aid Groups Decry US Arms Stance (July 14, 2001)

International humanitarian NGOs such as Amnesty International, Oxfam, and Save the Children have accused the US of hindering efforts to end the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons. The US opposes international regulations for the arms trade because it worries that regulations could interfere with its citizens' right to bear arms. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Small Arms Big Damage (July 12, 2001)

Although small arms are responsible for 90% of casualties in armed conflict, no international framework exists to end the illicit trade in them. The UN small arms conference seeks to redress this gap, but arms-producing states are determined to ensure that the conference will not hamper the legal trade in weapons. (Economist)

Cheap Guns Make Kids Warriors: Study (July 11, 2001)

Due to the availability and relative ease of use of small arms, children are increasingly becoming principal combatants in civil wars. As the author indicates, child combatants require special rehabilitative measures, due to the dislocative effects of combat on education and social development. (Associated Press)

Sanctions on Afghanistan Aggravating Situation: Pakistan Criticizes UN Action (July 11, 2001)

Pakistan's Interior Minister blasted the UN for worsening security crises in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He decried the UN's sanctions against the Afghanistan's ruling Taliban for being one-sided, and blamed these sanctions for exacerbating the flow of illicit weapons and small arms into Pakistan. (Dawn)

Small Wars, Small Arms, Big Graft (July 10, 2001)

Official, i.e. legal, trade in small arms has become â€˜unfashionable' in recent years, which is why illicit trade has flourished. Also, the latter has become increasingly linked to drug trafficking and money laundering. (Christian Science Monitor)

US Hinders Global Effort to Cut Small Arms Trade (July 10, 2001)

The lofty goals of the UN conference on small arms have been scaled back after pressure from gun-producing countries, whose delegates have been working clandestinely to block agreement on a tough action plan. (Independent)

Misery of Children Enslaved by the Gun (July 10, 2001)

The untold quantities of small arms in Uganda have turned children into soldiers. Rebels have abducted an estimated 5,000 children to fight in the Lord's Resistance Army -- the guerrilla group waging war against the Ugandan government. (Guardian)

UN Tackles Small Arms Trade (July 9, 2001)

Because most illicit arms start off as legal weapons, the UN conference on small arms would have to address the legal as well as the illicit trade in small arms. But this is likely to be resisted by countries like the US, which say that there is no reason to target legitimate exporters of guns. (BBC)

Africa in the Firing Line (July 8, 2001)

The availability and affordability of small arms in Africa has exacerbated many of the continent's civil conflicts. According to a US State Department document on arms proliferation, "It is far easier to buy a gun in Africa than to go to the movies, get a decent meal or a book." (BBC)

Small Arms, Mass Destruction (July 8, 2001)

An arms embargo against Angola's Unita rebels has been in place since 1993, but small arms and light weapons continue to find their way into the rebels' hands. Most observers believe that the weapons are coming from Eastern Europe--an increasingly common source of illicit arms. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Study Reports on Small Arms and Light Weapons Availability (July 5, 2001)

A new study by the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva says that while most small arms are manufactured legally, many of them "find their way into the wrong hands." The results of the study were announced as the UN prepares for an international conference on the illicit trade in small arms. (Voa News)

Curbing Arms Brokers (July 1, 2001)

The upcoming UN conference on small-arms trafficking will be a success if member states can agree on a standardized international system for vetting weapons exports and documenting where they wind up. But these measures will have limited impact if major arms brokers continue to enjoy the protection or indifference of governments. (New York Times)

Former Argentine President Arrested (June 8, 2001)

Police placed former president Carlos Menem under house arrest after Argentine Federal Judge Urso requested his detainment for alleged illegal arms trade during Menem's presidency. (Associated Press)

Weapons Turned Into Ploughshares in Sierra Leone (May 15, 2001)

UNAMSIL launched a program of arms destruction along with the National Commission on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration. All fighting units in the country will de disarmed, except the army. The weapons will be recycled and transformed into productive tools. (Afrol News)

Pacific Plan to Curb Small Arms Trade (May 9, 2001)

Representatives of 14 Pacific Island nations met to boost regional cooperation and to create uniform laws in order to curb the trade of small arms in the region. (Agence France Presse)

Arms Surrender (May 9, 2001)

The Rotokas Record weapons surrender agreement, signed by BRA and BRF in Bougainville on May 3, expects to pave the way for an official end to the nine-year war of secession on the island. (Post-Courier)

Curbing Small Arms (April 10, 2001)

Canada has suggested a ban on arms sales to non-state actors, but the US is opposed to such a blanket prohibition, reports an Editorial of the New York Times. Former French prime minister Michel Rocard answers by suggesting to prohibit at least civilian possession of certain categories of weapons.

Burgeoning Small Arms Trade Has High Profits and Losses (March 2001)

How can the UN take action on small arms when permanent members of the Security Council "are up their armpits in gun exports". (Earth Times)

Bribery and Corruption Still Rampant in Global Arms Trade (March 2001)

The secrecy of the arms market facilitates bribery and corruption. "If the US wants to fight global corruption in arms, then it needs to review its dominant position in the world market", says the Earth Times .

Air Transport a Little-Known Key to Arms Smuggling (March 27, 2001)

Taking measures against pilots and crews of air planes involved in smuggling is under discussion as one way to limit the traffic of small arms. (Agence France Presse)

British Warrant Issued in French Arms Row (March 26, 2001)

After Jean-Christophe Mitterand, Pierre Falcone and Jacques Attali in France, the corruption scandal on arms trade with Angola arrived in the UK, where Scotland Yard received the order to investigate Arcadi Gaydamak - a mysterious character. (Guardian)

Govts, NGOs Urge UN to Remember Human Dimension of Arms Trade (March 21, 2001)

NGOs are concerned by the narrow approach of the preparatory commission as the illegal trade of small arms will not be discussed. IANSA proposes to address arms trade reduction as promoting human rights. (IPS)

2000

Internet Arms Dealers Face Curbs (December 6, 2000)

A bill under draft will require arms traffickers and brokers to register before obtaining a license, so British citizens using third countries to export arms will still be subject to British controls. Under these proposals, some arms exports by UK firms to Sierra Leone via Bulgaria would have been unlawful. (UK Guardian)

With End of Cold War, Experts Say Arms Now Sold Like Commodities (June 22, 2000)

At the UN panel discussing arms trade, some experts argued that cooperation from the permanent members of the UN Security Council, which controls approximately 80% of the value of weapons trade, is needed to combat uncontrolled flow of weapons, small and large. (Associated Press)

Nations Disagree on Scope of Small Arms Conference (March 6, 2000)

The first preparatory session for the upcoming UN small arms conference sees nations disagree on almost every issue, including the access of NGOs to the conference. Might human rights organizations be frozen out? (Inter Press Service)

Green Lights and Red Herrings (February 10, 2000)

A William Paterson University lecturer examines the US' role in the killings of South Lebanon and East Timor: US arms were being used while the USA kept selling more weapons. (Z Net)

African Wars Fueled by Russian Arms and US Training (January 26, 2000)

Drawing on recent reports from the World Policy Institute, Jane's Defence Weekly and the UN annual Arms Register for 1999, Thalif Deen of InterPress Service discusses the arms trade fueling African conflicts.

Let's Go Out into the World and Gather Up the Small Arms (January 26, 2000)

By Under-Secretary General of the UN Department for Disarmament Affairs, Jayantha Dhanapala and Administrator of the UNDP, Mark Malloch Brown. This piece discusses "development incentives" - the exchange of arms for health care, new schools, street lighting - in Albania, as a possible model for disarmament around the world. (International Herald Tribune)

Plans Underway to Reduce Small Arms Trade in Africa (January 18, 2000)

A UN African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders conference aims to stem the flood of tens of millions of light weapons into Africa each year. (Inter Press Service)

1999

The Sandline Report (January 1999)

In 1999, the UK foreign office found itself in an embarrassing situation. The Foreign Affairs Committee discovered that certain foreign office staff knew of a contract of a British company delivering arms to Sierra Leone. The arms were destined for use by President Kabbah's forces - in contravention of a United Kingdom and UN arms embargo.

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