Small Arms and Society: SALW Control, DDR, and Peace-building: El Salvador Chris Stevenson, Small Arms Survey, Geneva COST Meeting on Armed Violence Brussels, 17 March 2008

In this presentation, I look at: A brief overview of El Salvador today A brief overview of El Salvador today A summarized history of its peace process A summarized history of its peace process DDR components DDR components Arms control measures Arms control measures Society interventions to reduce armed violence Society interventions to reduce armed violence

Why look at El Salvador as a case? El Salvador ranked 103rd out of 177 countries in the Human Development Index El Salvador ranked 103rd out of 177 countries in the Human Development Index Annual GDP per capita of 5,255 USD Annual GDP per capita of 5,255 USD The estimated earned annual income: 7,543 USD (males) and 3,043 USD (females) The estimated earned annual income: 7,543 USD (males) and 3,043 USD (females)

El Salvador Today A decade after the war in deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. A decade after the war in deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. In 2005/ deaths for every 100,000 inhabitants annually. In 2005/ deaths for every 100,000 inhabitants annually. Guns account for 80 out of every 100 incidents. Guns account for 80 out of every 100 incidents. National homicide rate (per 100,000), El Salvador, 1999–2005 Source: IML (2006)

Small arms in El Salvador An export destination for arms manufacturers during civil war and since An export destination for arms manufacturers during civil war and since estimates - approximately half a million firearms in circulation 2007 estimates - approximately half a million firearms in circulation 211,577 firearms registered nationally (2007) 211,577 firearms registered nationally (2007)

El Salvador violence Violence is now an urban phenomenon, concentrated in larger cities/suburbs and marginalized communities with high poverty rates. Violence is now an urban phenomenon, concentrated in larger cities/suburbs and marginalized communities with high poverty rates. Problems of Maras (gangs): number of members vary between 10,500 to 50,000 in Central America in connections in the USA and region. Problems of Maras (gangs): number of members vary between 10,500 to 50,000 in Central America in connections in the USA and region.

Historical summary El Salvador becomes an independent republic, El Salvador becomes an independent republic, 1838 Late late 1900s- Country is run by the wealthy coffee elite ‘Fourteen Families’ and military leaders Late late 1900s- Country is run by the wealthy coffee elite ‘Fourteen Families’ and military leaders Archbishop Romero assassinated, FMLN (Farabundo Martí Liberation Front) formally mobilized Archbishop Romero assassinated, FMLN (Farabundo Martí Liberation Front) formally mobilized Civil war Civil war Esquipulas Peace Agreement Esquipulas Peace Agreement Peace negotiations and accords Peace negotiations and accords

El Salvador peace process The UN mediated two-year peace agreement The UN mediated two-year peace agreement Series of various meetings and agreements Series of various meetings and agreements Final accords were signed in Chapultepec Mexico in January, Final accords were signed in Chapultepec Mexico in January, Cease-fire was sustained Cease-fire was sustained

DDR in El Salvador peace process DDR did not formally exist during the peace negotiations DDR did not formally exist during the peace negotiations Parties negotiated demobilization of forces and their reintegration into civilian, political, and institutional life Parties negotiated demobilization of forces and their reintegration into civilian, political, and institutional life The FMLN negotiators rejected the term “demobilized” although widely used The FMLN negotiators rejected the term “demobilized” although widely used

DDR emerged… A voluntary “cessation of armed conflict” (CAC) process A voluntary “cessation of armed conflict” (CAC) process CAC encompassed four elements: CAC encompassed four elements: the cease fire; the cease fire; the separation of forces; the separation of forces; the end of the military structure of the FMLN and reintegration of its members; the end of the military structure of the FMLN and reintegration of its members; UN verification of the previous activities. UN verification of the previous activities.

El Salvador arms controls National arms law created to regulate civilian possession and re-enacted in National arms law created to regulate civilian possession and re-enacted in , significant reforms to the law: increased criminalisation of violations, tighter restrictions on carrying of guns, development of a psychological test for application of licenses. 2002, significant reforms to the law: increased criminalisation of violations, tighter restrictions on carrying of guns, development of a psychological test for application of licenses. National temporary prohibitions are mandated during holidays and in peak tourist areas. National temporary prohibitions are mandated during holidays and in peak tourist areas.

Arms controls… A firearms purchaser must register and obtain a license before buying the weapon from a licensed dealer. A firearms purchaser must register and obtain a license before buying the weapon from a licensed dealer. Ammunition sold to those with a license for the weapon of the same calibre. Ammunition sold to those with a license for the weapon of the same calibre. A Value Added Tax on firearms sales to contribute to FOSALUD, a national health fund. A Value Added Tax on firearms sales to contribute to FOSALUD, a national health fund. Regular destruction of weapons - approximately 6,669 SALW destroyed since Regular destruction of weapons - approximately 6,669 SALW destroyed since 2001.

Other relevant laws Decree 158, the Anti-Maras Act - adopted in October 2003 Decree 158, the Anti-Maras Act - adopted in October 2003 Plans Mano Dura (Operation Hard Hand) - July and Super Mano Dura -July 2004 Plans Mano Dura (Operation Hard Hand) - July and Super Mano Dura -July 2004 December 2006 Decree 176 weapon carrying prohibition December 2006 Decree 176 weapon carrying prohibition Mano Amiga (Friendly Hand) and the Mano Extendida (Extended Hand) - youth violence prevention and gang rehabilitation plans Mano Amiga (Friendly Hand) and the Mano Extendida (Extended Hand) - youth violence prevention and gang rehabilitation plans

Civil society mobilization Society Without Violence (Sociedad sin Violencia) program established Society Without Violence (Sociedad sin Violencia) program established Supports efforts to confront and prevent armed violence through research, dialogue, capacity building, and advocacy Supports efforts to confront and prevent armed violence through research, dialogue, capacity building, and advocacy Mobilizes civil society and generates reliable data Mobilizes civil society and generates reliable data International organizational investment followed International organizational investment followed Set the framework for the Arms Free Municipalities Project, etc. Set the framework for the Arms Free Municipalities Project, etc.

Civil society impacts 2005 Municipalities Free of Weapons (Municipios Libre de Armas) project - reduce violence by imposing local restrictions on carrying weapons Municipalities Free of Weapons (Municipios Libre de Armas) project - reduce violence by imposing local restrictions on carrying weapons. 64 arms-free spaces created; 64 arms-free spaces created; increased police vigilance; increased police vigilance; San Martín firearms crimes reduced by 29%, homicide rate declined by 47%; San Martín firearms crimes reduced by 29%, homicide rate declined by 47%; Ilopango had 24% crime reduction, 47% homicide reduction. Ilopango had 24% crime reduction, 47% homicide reduction.

Some conclusions DDR - critical to peace negotiations. DDR - critical to peace negotiations. Weapons control and reduction largely ignored as goal and process. Weapons control and reduction largely ignored as goal and process. Post-war and long-term violence reduction strategies are imperative. Post-war and long-term violence reduction strategies are imperative. Critical importance of civil society. Critical importance of civil society.

Thank You Chris Stevenson Small Arms Survey