1. © SEESAC, 2006

2. SALW Control Name? Organisation? Event? Date?

3. © SEESAC, 2006 Definitions  SALW ‘All lethal conventional munitions that can be carried by an individual combatant or a light vehicle, that also do not require a substantial logistic and maintenance capability’.

4. © SEESAC, 2006 Definitions  SALW Control ‘Those activities, which, together, aim to reduce the social, economic and environmental impact of uncontrolled SALW proliferation and possession’.

5. © SEESAC, 2006 SALW Control  Can be implemented any time  For <100mm calibre  In support of a national strategy  In support of Security Sector Reform  Targets individuals, government, criminals, and terrorists

6. © SEESAC, 2006 Global Impact of SALW  An estimated 500,000 people are killed per year by SALW worldwide – 300,000 during conflict, 200,000 due to homicide, suicide or accidental death (2001).  640 million weapons are thought to be in circulation worldwide (2002).  Civilian weapons constitute 59% of the global small arms stockpile (2002).  Are SALW Weapons of Mass Destruction?

7. © SEESAC, 2006 Impact of SALW  Undermine the ‘Rule of Law’ and the ability to keep the peace.  Fuel crime and instability.  Increase tension within communities.  Negate confidence and security building measures.  Act as an obstacle to development.

8. © SEESAC, 2006 Impact of SALW  Encourage violent rather than peaceful resolutions to problems.  Contribute to human rights violations (including increasing lethality of domestic violence).  Discourage investment and tourism.  Resources spent on security are unavailable for development.  Casualties are a drain on the Health Service.  Contribute to ‘gun culture’.

9. © SEESAC, 2006 Impact of SALW  Undermine the legal arms trade.  Fuels terrorism.  Present a physical risk to local communities due to the presence of unstable ammunition.

10. © SEESAC, 2006 Local Examples – Impact of SALW on…  The Rule of Law??  Crime and instability??  Community tensions??  Security-building measures??  Investment, tourism and development??  Human Rights??  Health Services??  Etc.

11. © SEESAC, 2006 Impact on Children  Children affected disproportionately.  2 million killed in 1990s.  Also affected by costs such as malnutrition, disease and preventable illness.

12. © SEESAC, 2006 SALW and Gender  Men are predominant users.  Young men are primary targets for conscription.  WHO – men are 3-6 times more likely than women to murder in peacetime.

13. © SEESAC, 2006 Men and Boys  In armed conflict:  Men are at greatest risk during conflict.  Are targeted for being protectors/defenders.  In peacetime:  Constitute 80% of homicide victims.  At greatest risk of gun crime and gang warfare.

14. © SEESAC, 2006 Women and Girls  Possession can be expression of empowerment.  Can be a threat to self and families.  In armed conflict:  At greatest risk of injury and death as civilians.  Are targets of rape, sexual violence, prostitution and HIV.  Are targets due to role as reproducers. In peacetime:  At greatest risk of violence in the home.

15. © SEESAC, 2006 SALW and Violent Crime  Availability of SALW fuels criminal groups.  Re-enforced by SALW possession.  Is a major social problem.  Weapons are often legally-owned  Corruption of law enforcement.  Criminal networks involved in bringing SALW into the country.  Looting

16. © SEESAC, 2006 Aim of SALW Control ‘To control small arms and light weapons within society in order to secure a safe and stable environment in which people can live’.

17. © SEESAC, 2006 Operational objectives of SALW Control  The reduction in the number of weapons available to criminals.  The reduction in the number of weapon and ammunition accidents.  The need to make a public connection between the availability of weapons and the potential for violence in society, (by both national authorities and the civilian population at large).  The requirement to build community awareness of the problem and hence community solidarity.

18. © SEESAC, 2006 Operational objectives of SALW Control  The reduction and disruption of the transfer and illicit trade of weapons on the black market.  The control of legal weapons through national legislation and registration.  The recovery of stolen weapons from the community.  The reduction of the open visibility of weapons in the community, and addressing the culture of weapons.  The development of norms against the illegal use of weapons.  The use of SALW control as a launch framework for future capacity building and sustainable development.

19. © SEESAC, 2006 Functional areas of SALW Control  Cross Border Controls  SALW Survey  SALW Awareness and Communications Strategy  Legislation  SALW Collection  SALW Destruction  SALW Stockpile Management  Management of Information

20. © SEESAC, 2006 SALW Control interventions MUST:  DETER  DETER individuals, groups and organisations from illegally possessing or transferring SALW.  DENY  DENY access to SALW by inappropriate holders or users.  DISRUPT  DISRUPT criminal operations, the movement of SALW and the storage of SALW.  DESTROY  DESTROY surrendered, captured or surplus SALW.

21. © SEESAC, 2006 National SALW Control strategy  Must include ALL stakeholders.  Determine and delegate operational responsibilities in each functional area.  Must establish a ‘National SALW Commission’ / ‘National SALW Authority’.

22. © SEESAC, 2006 Role of National SALW Commission ‘To plan, coordinate, direct and monitor all appropriate SALW control interventions at the national level in order to secure a safer environment and thereby meet the primary aim of SALW control’.

23. © SEESAC, 2006 Useful References  Operational - SEESAC Regional Micro- Disarmament Standards and Guidelines (RMDS/G) http://www.seesac.orghttp://www.seesac.org  Strategic - OSCE Best Practice Guidelines on SALW (2003)

24. © SEESAC, 2006 Questions??