Reacting to a procedural point raised by Iran during the
fourth meeting, the Chair explained that all draft language
for the outcome document is open to ongoing negotiations
and consultations but that the short time-frame of the BMS
does not allow for a complete negotiation of the text. He
encouraged states to cooperate actively with the facilitators
to ensure their interests are addressed in the draft language.
The Chair released his draft language on “The
way forward” on stockpile management and surplus
disposal.
Highlights from the thematic discussion
on other issues and identification of priority issues or topics
Stockpile management and surplus destruction
argued that police and security sector stockpiles are often
more insecure than military stockpiles and require increased
attention when implementing the PoA.
Illicit brokering
South Africa said that while the principle of an international
instrument on illicit brokering is good, it is a very grey
and vague area and would therefore be very difficult to
develop.
Connections with development and human security
argued that the PoA is an instrument to promote human security
and development.
South Africa said that SALW is a cross-cutting issue that
has an impact on stability and security but does not have
a direct link to development and so, there should be no
conditions on international assistance regarding links between
implementing the PoA and development.
Responding to South Africa, Jamaica argued that the issue
of SALW is intertwined with human security, human rights,
and development.
Responding to Jamaica, South Africa clarified that SALW
is a development issue but that it isn't only
a development issue and therefore donor countries should
not be allowed to make their financial support for PoA implementation
measures conditional on the simultaneous and integrated
implementation of development programmes.
Role of civil society and international organizations
emphasized the valuable role of civil society and research
institutions in helping states implement the PoA.
agreed that civil society members are valuable partners
in combating the illicit trade in SALW, especially at the
community level.
Norway, New Zealand, and Canada all expressed support
for the broader inclusion of civil society in the small
arms process.
Pakistan said that while it does not object to civil society
participation, there needs to be a distinction between member
states and civil society organizations.
Jamaica said civil society is extremely valuable in combating
the illicit trade of SALW, especially where the issue intersects
with development issues, as civil society members work closely
with communities where the effects of illicit trade are
felt.
Gender
emphasized the need for member states to include gender
considerations in their work on implementing the PoA.
National reporting
France suggested that member states adopt provisions or
a template for national reports, available in electronic
form for easier consultation.
New Zealand agreed a template would help smooth the reporting
process and help relieve the burden on states with limited
capacity.
Pakistan said that while it is important to convey assistance
needs through reports, reporting should not be made overly
important, given capacity considerations of different states.
Instead, the option of seeking assistance should remain
open on an ongoing basis, which is where UNODA assumes the
most importance, to connect states and donors.
Working Group on the BMS: “Geneva Process on Small
Arms”
Australia gave briefing on the “,” which is an initiative
of the that involves governments, international organizations,
and NGOs in regular informal consultations to promote and
monitor implementation of the PoA. The working group prepared
a on how to strengthen the PoA beyond 2008, to refine
the process for implementation of the PoA. The paper contains
six options for strengthening the BMS process:
Item 1: Setting future dates and future themes, which
can focus discussions; each BMS should also retain one
open and flexible session to allow exchange of views
on emerging issues
Item 2: Intersessional global or regional meetings
of experts
Items 3–6: cover cost-effective ways to improve
the BMS process, such as national reporting and increased
civil society involvement.
Japan expressed support for the first two points of the
working paper and said the next omnibus resolution in the
UNGA (which Japan co-sponsors with Colombia and South Africa)
will try to establish the date for the next Review Conference.
Pakistan said the working paper did indicate any central
coordination body and suggested that drafting states specify
that it would be done by UNODA.
Colombia welcomed the paper.
South Africa questioned whether the intersessional meetings
recommended in the working paper would be UN mandated or
mandated by the members of the Geneva Process, pointing
out that if they are to be mandated by the UN they should
be included in the omnibums UNGA resolution on SALW tabled
each year by South Africa, Colombia, and Japan.
South Africa also pointed out some logistical problems
with setting the dates and themes early for the next BMS,
pointing out that the Chair would have to be appointed well
in advance in order to create the themes in advance and
that setting the dates for a UN conference is up to the
Secretariat.
New Zealand supported the idea of having focused themes
for each BMS but wants states to be able to raise issues
of importance to them.
The Philippines expressed support for the paper, especially
on its points regarding experts meetings and implementation
challenges.
Mali echoed the Philippine’s support for experts
meetings between the biennial meetings of states. Mali also
called for a PoA review conference in 2011 as well as for
work to continue within the UN General Assembly.
The UN Office for Disarmament Affairs indicated that if
it where asked to convene intersessional meetings on SALW
there will be budgetary considerations but that the issue
could be discussed further at the upcoming UNGA First Committee.
Regarding regional or subregional meetings, ODA emphasized
the regions must ask for such meetings themselves. Regarding
the early appointment of a chair for the next BMS, ODA indicated
this would be feasible and could start to be organized at
the First Committee.
Other issues
expressed hope that necessary elements on small arms can
be included in an Arms Trade Treaty.
emphasized the need for a holistic approach to implementing
the PoA, saying that any discussion on illicit trade must
include all its aspects. CARICOM also argued that there
are limits to regional cooperation and that states need
an international effort centered in the United Nations in
order to make their work most effective.
Mexico said states to need to strengthen their assistance
to victims of gun violence.
MERCOSUR said the PoA should include ammunition and explosives.
indicated a number of measures it is interested in, including:
Terminating completely the practice of SALW manufacturing
under expired foreign licenses or without a lcense from
the original producer;
Strengthening controls over the re-export of SALW;
Denying supply of MANPADs and other types of SALW
to non-state actors;
Tightening control over MANPADs in the context of
combating international terrorism; and
Introducing tough state regulation of brokering activities
related to trade in SALW, including a possible limitation
of the number of such brokers.
Canada gave a brief report of the meeting in Geneva in
August 2007 on controls on international transfers of SALW,
which Canada believes offered a valuable opportunity for
sustained and in-depth focus on one aspect of the PoA. It
also helped raise awareness about best practices and challenges.
Canada highlighted additional priorities it is interested
in, including:
Special needs of children;
Factors that lead to increase demand of SALW;
Maximizing the value of the BMS process by establishing
a forward-looking framework, including setting dates
and themes as early as possible; and
Encouraging regional meetings to maintain momentum
and serve as catalyst for implementation.
Iran encouraged the promotion of a culture of peace to
counter the culture of hegemony and dominance.
Iran also said the PoA should be approached from both
supply and demand aspects and that root causes of demand
must be addressed.
emphasized the importance of the security of borders to
prevent the illicit trade of SALW and called for financial
assistance for this issue.
India said the PoA must include ammunition at some stage.
outlined three priority issues, including:
Transfer of SALW to non-state actors;
Implementation of a follow-up mechanism; and
Convening a review conference in 2011.
ECOWAS expressed unreserved support for the establishment
of instruments related to the regulation of the arms trade.
Highlights from the presentations
by international organizations
Regional organizations
A number of regional organizations reported on the nature
of SALW-related problems in their respective regions and
on the progress of programs undertaken to combat illicit
trade in SALW, including the League of Arab States; the
African Union; North Atlantic Treaty Organization; the Organization
of American States; Organization of Security and Cooperation
in Europe; the Regional Centre on SALW in the Great Lakes
Region, the Horn of Africa, and Bordering States; the East
African Community; the International Conference of the Great
Lakes Region; and the Central American Integration System.
International organizations
Interpol reported on its development of information tools
and database, information collection sharing, and expertise
sharing, related to combating illicit brokering in small
arms.
The World Health Organization urged governments to move
beyond consideration of the supply dimensions of SALW and
to focus on prevention of armed conflict through available
conventional policy tools.
Highlights from the presentations by
non-governmental organizations
Former child soldier Emmanuel Jal from the Sudan , "Forced to Sing," which told his tragic
story.
Representatives from a number of NGOs spoke to argue that
the legal possession and use of guns by citizens should
be respected by any international action combating their
illicit trade, including the World Forum on the Future of
Sport Shooting Activities; the National Firearms Association
(Canada); the British Shooting Sports Council, who argued,
“the British are very good at shooting;” the
Canadian Institute for Legislative Action; the Firearms
Importers Roundtable; the Sporting Shooters Association
of Australia; and the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturing
Institute.
Presentations from the International Action Network on
Small Arms were delayed until tomorrow morning.
Side
Events
International Small Arms Control Standards Ginny Schneider,
Representatives from gave a brief
overview of implementation tools they are developing. This
week, they kicked off ,
which is a one-stop shop on the PoA. The PoA-ISS provides
an online small arms network for all PoA stakeholders, country
profiles, and information on national legislation.UNIDIR is
also designing a web-based program to match country needs
with resources available from donor countries. It allows
countries to enter data on the assistance they require and
donor states to enter the assistance they provide. It
is due out in a couple of months and will be accessible through
CASA's website.
Patrick McCarthy of the is the new coordinator of the International Small
Arms Control Standards (ISACS), which is similar in form to
the . ISACS will be developed in modules, which
will be released as they are completed. There is a consultation
process associated with ISACS, which will reflect best practices
and lessons learned. The hope is to complete ISACS by
the 2010.
In addition, UNDP issued two reports: one on SALW legislation
and the other on national commissions. UNODC is working on
model regulations.
Other
News
Global SALW Negotiations Study
Ginny Schneider, Master's candidate at California State University
in the Negotiations, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding
Department, is completing her thesis research on global SALW
negotiations. You may request advanced copies of draft chapters
after August 22nd at ginnyschneider[at]hotmail.com. The
complete study should be available off Proquest sometime after
December 2008. Due to funding and thesis deadline requirements,
the study is not comprehensive. Despite these limitations,
the study summarizes basic negotiation and conflict resolution
(NCR) theory and strategies. These are juxtaposed with negotiation
practices that have or have not occurred during global SALW
negotiations since 2001. Schneider has read peer-reviewed
literature and some other materials in addition to conducting
interviews with a number of participants in the negotiations
during this time period. She provides analysis of NCR
practices used and absent from the negotiations as well as
suggestions for approaches to the global SALW negotiation
process.
International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) Women’s
Network
Domestic violence and firearms possession is the focus of
the IANSA Women's Network at the BMS. The Women's Network
has developed a position
paper that is being used to raise awareness about domestic
violence and firearms possession and about laws and policies
that separate perpetrators from guns. IANSA women are also
developing a Clothesline Exhibition—a visual display
of clothing with messages or illustrations that represent
women affected by gun violence. The clothes will form a mobile
exhibition as testimony to the problem of gun violence against
women.
