© SEESAC, 2006

© SEESAC, 2006

SALW ControlSALW Control

Name?Name?Organisation?

Event?

Date?

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Definitions 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’.

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DefinitionsDefinitions

SALW Control‘Those activities, which, together, aim to reduce the social, economic and environmental impact of uncontrolled SALW proliferation and possession’.

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SALW ControlSALW 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

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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?

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Impact of SALWImpact 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.

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Impact of SALWImpact 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’.

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Impact of SALWImpact of SALW

Undermine the legal arms trade. Fuels terrorism. Present a physical risk to local

communities due to the presence of unstable ammunition.

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Local Examples – Impact of SALW Local Examples – Impact of SALW on…on…

The Rule of Law?? Crime and instability?? Community tensions?? Security-building measures?? Investment, tourism and development?? Human Rights?? Health Services?? Etc.

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Impact on ChildrenImpact on Children

Children affected disproportionately. 2 million killed in 1990s. Also affected by costs such as

malnutrition, disease and preventable illness.

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SALW and GenderSALW 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.

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Men and BoysMen 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.

© SEESAC, 2006

Women and GirlsWomen 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.

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SALW and Violent CrimeSALW 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

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Aim of SALW ControlAim 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’.

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Operational objectives of SALW Operational objectives of SALW ControlControl

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.

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Operational objectives of SALW Operational objectives of SALW ControlControl

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.

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Functional areas of SALW ControlFunctional 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

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SALW Control interventions MUST:SALW Control interventions MUST:

DETERDETER individuals, groups and organisations from illegally possessing or transferring SALW.

DENYDENY access to SALW by inappropriate holders or users.

DISRUPTDISRUPT criminal operations, the movement of SALW and the storage of SALW.

DESTROYDESTROY surrendered, captured or surplus SALW.

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National SALW Control strategyNational 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’.

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Role of National SALW CommissionRole 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’.

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Useful ReferencesUseful References

Operational - SEESAC Regional Micro-Disarmament Standards and Guidelines (RMDS/G) http://www.seesac.org

Strategic - OSCE Best Practice Guidelines on SALW (2003)

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Questions??Questions??

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