1. Small Arms Violence and Trafficking in Bangladesh : Security Implications Neila Husain Senior Research Fellow Bangladesh Institute of International & Strategic Studies (BIISS) 20 June 2009

2. Purpose of this Presentation Share basic facts about small arms; Give an overview of the impact of small arms on national and human security; To discuss the options for controlling the proliferation of small arms nationally, regionally and globally.

3. What are Small Arms? All weapons that can be fired, maintained and transported by one person. Revolvers, pistols, rifles sub- machine guns, assault rifles, light machine guns are some of the widely used small arms in Bangladesh

4. Key Facts about Small Arms There are over 600 million small arms in the world, or one for every ten people. Nearly 60 per cent of small arms are in civilian hands. Majority of illegal small arms start out as legally traded weapons More than 500,000 people on average are killed with small arms every year: one person every minute. Small arms are the cause of 60-90% of direct conflict deaths. In 11% of crime committed in Bangladesh, small arms are use

5. Why are SALW the “Weapons of Choice”? √ Cheaper option √ Light weight-portable √ Easily available √ Easy to operate √ Accurate target

6. Problems of Small Arms in Bangladesh Easy availability and use of illicit small arms and improvised explosive devises (IED) have increased over the years. Weapons of choice for criminals, extremists, terrorists, political activists Innocent people, esp. women and children are easy targets

7. Cause for the Increase in Small Arms Use Economic factors - Small arms...... big business! Social factors - Unemployment - Degradation of moral/social value system Political greed –- Abuse of power Ideological extremism - Religious militancy

8. Source of (Illicit) SALW

9. Trafficking Routes of SALW through Bangladesh Map South and South East Asia: The ‘small arms road’

10. Use and Users of Small Arms  Organized Crime  Unorganized Crime - Extortion- theft - Politically backed criminal groups- land violence - Campus Violence- drug addicted youth - Underworld Crime- gender violence - Terrorist Groups- homicide - Piracy

11. Impact on State and National Security Challenge to Democracy and Governance - curtails democratic practices - deteriorating law and order Challenge to Development - armed violence, extortion, rent seeking are obstacle to investment, entrepreneurship, creating “unfriendly business environment. Challenge to National Exchequer - diverts resources from basic public health services - equipping law enforcing agencies Challenge to National Security - increase in militancy and terrorist attacks linked with within Bangladesh.

12. Increased Threat to Human Security Increased risk of physical attack Incidences of social violence had increased Crime among drug addicts in going unnoticed Threat to women’s right and security Risk to child security Education system has suffered over the past few decades Armed Violence affects livelihood and slows down productivity.

13. Government Approaches in Controlling Small Arms Legislation: Arms Act of 1878 Administrative measures - Arms recovery programmes - Introduction of RAB in 2004 Multilateral/Regional measures - United Nations program of Action (UNPOA) - Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) - SAARC Convention on Counter Terrorism

14. Small Arms Control

15. What are the Challenges for Bangladesh? Lack of Data Existing laws Border security & Customs Checking - Lack of Manpower, - Logistics - lack of technology Political-Criminal Nexus Corruption Stockpiling of arms and ammunition Resource constraint

16. Recommendations for the Government A Core Group of relevant ministries and govt. organizations dealing with Small Arms Review Arms Act and introduce new laws Address “demand side” and “supply side” Capacity Building of law enforcing agencies Enhance Border Security De-link transnational networks Create Employment for the youth Introduce more drug rehabilitation centres Reinstating ex-criminals in society Increase Research on the impact of small arms Access to information about firearms Employ linked data system Engage civil society, NGOs

17. What can the Civil Society Do? Raise community awareness around the problem Restrain from giving children toys guns Restore family values Campaign against violence laden movies, video games.

18. A Comprehensive Approach To Control Small Arms Proliferation Human Security Approach Traditional Security Approach Multilateral/Regional Approach

19. Conclusion A well-coordinated effort from government, non-government and international actors are urgently needed to curb the demand and supply of small arms in order to create a health nation:politically, socio-economically, and internationally

20. Thank you