Small arms and light weapons fuel civil wars and other conflicts, causing harm to millions of people, particularly in africa. Salw have unique characteristics which make them attractive for irregular warfare, terrorism, and criminal activities. Despite our understanding of the threat posed by salw to peace and security, development and human rights. Trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects poa. Today, they remain among the cheapest and most easily accessible instruments for participating in violence. Small arms and light weapons ipb international peace. Handguns, shoulderfired weapons, light automatic weapons up to and including 50 caliber machine guns, recoilless rifles up to and including 106mm, mortars up to and including 81mm, manportable rocket launchers, rifleshoulderfired grenade launchers, and individually operated weapons that are portable or can be fired without. While some scholars argue that small arms are the direct cause of insecurity, others maintain that small arms are.
An overwhelming majority of conflicts are fought with small arms and light weapons. Supply and demand of small arms and light weapons 3. In recent years, there has been a growing tendency within the activist and scholarly communities to treat major conventional weapons and small arms as well as light weapons as distinct areas of policy formulation and study. The failure to control this trade effectively has serious humanitarian consequences as the resulting widespread use of these weapons causes immense human suffering. Small arms and light weapons salw1 federal council. Central african convention for the control of small arms and light weapons, their ammunition and all parts and components that can be used for their manufacture, repair and assembly. Manner, illicit small arms and light weapons salw adopted by the united nations general assembly on 8 december 2005 international tracing instrument represents a major contribution towards combating the illicit accumulation and trafficking of small arms and. Salw make them, as kofi annan put it, weapons of mass. Type of weapon, quantity, country of origin, condition. Iansa womens statement on the illicit trade of small arms.
This document does not apply to antique small arms and light weapons, which are defined in accordance with domestic law but in no case include small arms manufactured after 1899. While a significant number of these weapons end up in the hands of state forces, a large number are found in the hands of irregular armies, communal factions, crime and drug syndicates, as well as individuals. Sri lanka is heavily affected by the proliferation of small arms,which threaten community safety and security,under. Small arms is a subset of the category of light weapons which. Small arms and light weapons salw 1 programmes that tackle the proliferation of small arms and light weapons can transform a culture of violence, increase security and open space for sustainable development. Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding, as of october 2017 this database is no longer being updated. Small arms and light weapons salw is a term used in arms control protocols to refer to two main classes of weapons.
Small arms and light weapons proliferation and its. Such weapons are often referred to as dane guns, although this term is applied to a range of similar weapons. The participating states of the organization for security and cooperation in europe osce. Small arms and light weapons federal foreign office.
According to the united nations office on drugs and crime, the international framework on firearms is composed of three main instruments. Defining small arms and light weapons defining salw n understand key concepts 1. To provide guidance and reporting instructions for the marine corps serialized control of small armslight weapons system, per references. Improvised and craftproduced small arms and light weapons, by g. The uncontrolled trade in small arms and light weapons is a matter of life and death to people around. Small arms and light weapons include any manportable lethal weapon that expels or launches, is designed to expel or launch, or may be readily converted to expel or launch projectiles by the action of an explosive, except for old weapons. Antique and replicas of antique small arms and light weapons will be defined in accordance with domestic law. Godnick was assisted by elizabeth clegg, michael crowley, sarah meek, greg puley, and carlos walker uribe. He has consulted for the small arms survey since 2002, serving as editor of the hsba publications series since 2005. Small arms and light weapons salw refers in arms control protocols to two main classes of manportable weapons. Small arms and light weapons salw proliferation and.
These small weapons are only part of a larger trade that includes heavier and more lethal weaponry, but light arms are often especially baneful because they are cheap, easy to transport and can be handled by illtrained rebel soldiers and even children. Small arms and light weapons salw proliferation and problem. The issue of small arms and light weapons salw in the context of transnational organized crime. The proliferation of small arms and light weapons is an immediate security challenge to individuals, societies, and states around the world and an enormous hurdle to. They are the weapon of choice in many conflicts and often have been used to illegally target. The focus of efforts should be to end the indiscriminate use and curb the oversupply of these weapons, with the aim of reducing the damage and suffering they cause. Prevention of human rights violations committed with small. This is the worlds only online global database of small arms transfers. There are more than 1,200 companies in 90 countries that produce small arms small arms survey 2004 salw kill between 500,000 and 750,000 people. Brainstorm possible ask participants the first thing handout. Handbook of best practices on small arms and light weapons. Overview this publication is a convenient collection of key international instruments relating to the issue of small arms and light weapons at the united nations. Since the united nations was first established in 1945, the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons has been an international problem. Small arms and light weapons salw enable and facilitate armed conflict, terrorism, and crime.
The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects. Antique small arms and light weapons will in no circumstances include weapons manufactured after 1899. As seen below, the largest exporters of global arms include the us, russia, china, france, germany, the uk, spain, italy and other countries with significant industrial capacities. Because small arms and light weapons have few moving parts and are extremely durable, even weapons that are 10 to 20years old are often fully operational and as effective as newly produced weapons. Global principles for controlling small arms exports. Small arms and armed violence in sudan and south sudan. Both can have destabilising effects on social, societal and economic development and can represent major challenges to regional and national security. According to the panel of governmental experts on small arms 1997, salw range from clubs, knives and machetes to those weapons just below those covered by the united nations register of conventional arms. The small arms survey defines light weapons as mortars up to 120 mm in calibre. Feb 24, 2017 according to the global small arms survey, more than companies from 100 countries worldwide produce small arms and light weapons as well as their ammunition. Proliferation of small arms and light weapons in pakistan. Defining small arms and light weapons objective to familiarise trainees with some types of small arms and light weapons salw and to give them a basic understanding of salw proliferation issues, in order to enhance the effectiveness of measures taken to prevent, combat, control and eradicate the illicit proliferation of small arms and light. Emile lebrun writes and edits research on small arms and light weapons proliferation and control issues. Small arms and light weapons market internet archive.
Parliamentary action a vital cornerstone for curbing the uncontrolled flow of small arms and light weapons in lebanon the uncontrolled availability and misuse of small arms and light weapons salw have severe consequences across our globe. The technique of modern warfare is changing gradually and the army is highly inclined towards the use of small arms and light weapons salw. United nations regional seminar on small arms and light weapons for the south pacific nadi, august 2004 opening statement by h. They are often a factor behind the forced displacement of civilians and massive human rights violations.
Illicit flows of small arms and light weapons undermine security and the rule of law. The global trade of small arms and light weapons salw is vigorous and diverse. Planning and taking action on small arms and light weapons 6. Controlling small arms in the horn of africa and the great lakes region. Accordingly, countries such as the united states, russia and germany especially with the dismantling of the east german army have been able to. The 2030 agenda for sustainable development importantly affirms that combatting the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons is necessary for the achievement of many goals, including those relating to peace, justice and strong institutions, poverty. Attachment to adc 220 in two parts the nations combat.
Small arms and light weapons salw refer to any weapon that can be carried or operated by one or two individuals. African council of religious leaders, small arms and light weapons. Salw at a glance while there is no universally accepted definition of a small arm or of a light weapon, portability is considered as an essential criterion. Light weapons is a generic term which is used to cover a range of weapons portable by man or machine from revolvers and machine guns to antitank and antiaircraft missile systems. This conference agreed, by consensus, on a political commitment, the programme of action on small arms poa. The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all.
It contains 1 389 355 records detailing transfers between some 250 states and territories over the period 19622015. The issue of small arms and light weapons salw in the. According to the small arms survey there are at least 875 million firearms in the world small arms survey, 2007. The handbook is one of the most comprehensive manuals todate on salw that provides a set of best practice guides relating to all stages of a. A light weapon refers to heavy machine guns, handheld underbarrel and mounted grenade launchers, portable launchers of antitank and antiaircraft missile. Cate buchanan for their valuable contributions, as well as.
The proliferation of small arms and light weapons salw affects security while antipersonnel mines and explosive remnants of war kill and maim both people and livestock long after the end of hostilities. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise cambridge core to connect with your account. Illicit small arms and light weapons page 1 of 24 executive summary small arms and light weapons sa lw are the main tools used in todays conflicts, be they interstate wars, civil wars or the actions of organised crime, and the cause of the majority of deaths from armed violence in the world of combatants, but also, and mainly, of civilians. However, recognizing the nature of each nations problem. A ban on small arms and light weapons is unrealistic, given the widespread acceptance of their legitimacy in the hands of militaries and some police forces. Small arms and light weapons salw market to be worth us. The issue of salw countries in southeast asia have given the issue of salw a high priority due to the gravity of the problem. Small arms and light weapons legislation acknowledgments this document has been developed with the contributions of various agencies and individuals with substantial knowledge and experience working on salw legislation. Mitsuro donowaki, special assistant to the minister for foreign affairs of japan, at united nations regional seminar on small arms and light weapons for the south pacific pdf. In general, small arms refer to weapons designed for individual use, and light weapons are designed for use by several persons serving as a crew. This page seems to mostly duplicate small arms trade, linking that page in a couple of piped links. Regulating small arms and light weapons background. A vast number of weapons are in public and private hands. The participating states agree that the preferred method for the disposal of small arms is destruction.
Controlling the trade in small arms and light weapons volume 64 issue 1 asif efrat. However, the small arms and light weapons page has better coverage. Conventional weapons european external action service. Mapping illicit small arms flows in africa about the small arms survey the small arms survey is a global centre of excellence whose mandate is to generate impar tial, evidencebased, and policyrelevant knowledge on all aspects of small arms and armed violence. An introductory guide to the identification of small arms, light weapons, and associated ammunition, edited by n. Small arms and light weapons ipb international peace bureau. Post conflict environment generally means cheap prices conflict as a sponge. Per thoresson in the security council on the human cost of the illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of small. The world council of churches on the control of small arms and light weapons. By definition, these weapons are mobile, portable and. Prevention of human rights violations committed with small arms and light weapons. The global threat of small arms and light weapons a primer. Illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects. National strategies and action plans for the control of small arms and light weapons 7.
Nisat norwegian initiative on small arms transfers. Small arms and light weapons international peace institute. Small arms, light weapons, proliferation, national security, nigeria introduction the relationship between small arms and insecurity has been the object of contentious debates among scholars. Another challenge for global security article pdf available february 20 with 1,848 reads how we measure reads. For decades, small arms and light weapons salw 3 have been used to kill and injure people across the world on a massive scale. Role of civil society in small arms and light weapons control 5. Small arms are, broadly speaking, weapons designed for individual use. Other small arms and light weapons producers in nigeria and ghana combine smoothbore barrels with various breech mechanisms to make breakopen cartridge shotguns. The handbook of best practices on small arms and light weapons salw is a set of guidelines developed by the forum for security and cooperation to help cut down the amount of illegallyheld weaponry in circulation. Illicit small arms and light weapons european parliament. How to guide small arms and light weapons legislation. These range from gunspistols, assault rifles, and light machine gunsto rocket launchers, grenade launchers, mortars and shoulderfired antiaircraft missile launchers. Apr 30, 2010 central african convention for the control of small arms and light weapons, their ammunition and all parts and components that can be used for their manufacture, repair and assembly. Impact of small arms and light weapons on conflict, security and human development 4.
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