Dec 17, 2024 | Conventional Arms Programme
From 17 to 18 December 2024, representatives of various institutions involved in arms and ammunition control in Iquitos, Peru participated in the Executive Workshop on Illicit Trafficking and Manufacture of Firearms and Ammunition. This activity was organized by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru.
Participants included officials from the Peruvian National Police, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Judiciary, SUNAT-Customs, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the National Intelligence Directorate, the Citizen Security Directorate of the Municipality of Maynas, the Citizen Security Management of the Regional Government of Loreto, and the National Superintendency for the Control of Security Services, Arms, Ammunition and Explosives for Civilian Use (SUCAMEC). They shared their experiences and challenges in addressing the complex issue of illicit arms trafficking.
During the opening session, Carlos Jimenez from the Directorate of Security and Defense Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed gratitude to UNLIREC and Germany for their support in enhancing Peru’s capabilities in this critical area.
This workshop aimed to equip national authorities with the knowledge and technical tools needed to develop strategies for preventing and combatting illicit trafficking in firearms and ammunition in line with international standards.. Participants engaged in discussions about trends in illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as methods used for the illicit manufacture and trafficking of firearms and ammunition.
To further enrich the workshop, the National Intelligence Directorate (DINI) shared insights into the dynamics of illicit firearms trafficking in Peru, including trends and illustrative case studies. SUCAMEC also presented on national regulations concerning firearms and ammunition transfers, detailing supervision operations that highlight various diversion methods. This collaborative environment facilitated the exchange of information and best practices among institutions.
This workshop is part of the project “Support for the Implementation of Subregional, Regional and Global Instruments and Frameworks Related to Small Arms Control and Ammunition Management in Latin America and the Caribbean”, funded by Germany.
Nov 19, 2024 | Conventional Arms Programme
From 19 to 21 November 2024, 33 officials from various law enforcement, legal, and scientific institutions in Trinidad and Tobago participated in the Combating Trafficking in Arms and Ammunition (CTAM). This training was organized by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) in collaboration with the Ministry of National Security.
Participants included representatives from the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Trinidad & Tobago Police Service, the Trinidad & Tobago Municipal Police Service, the Port Authority Police, and the Customs and Excise Division of the Ministry of Finance. They received up-to-date training and on arms and ammunition trafficking including the issue of privately manufactured firearms.
During the event’s opening, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher emphasized the importance of up-to-date training and collaborative efforts among law enforcement and civilian agencies to address the rising rates of firearms-related crimes and the emerging threat of privately manufactured firearms.
The Honorable Fitzgerald E. Hinds, Minister of National Security of Trinidad and Tobago; Mr Scott Hansen, Political-Economic Counselor at the U.S, Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago; and Ms. Quinnelle-Marie Kangalee, Programme coordinator at UNLIREC, also attended the launch.
The Honorable Minister and Mr Hansen highlighted the increasing threat of transnational organized crime in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean, underscoring the significance of the training and encouraging participants to apply what they learned.
The CTAM course offers both theoretical and practical knowledge on global and regional trends in arms trafficking, methods of illicit manufacture, control systems for international transfers of firearms and ammunition, including brokering, and tools for international cooperation against firearms trafficking.
This edition of the CTAM featured presentations from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (including the Police Armoury and Firearms Permit Unit), the Customs & Excise Division, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), as well as CARICOM IMPACS. These sessions focused on firearms trafficking trends and the licensing and importat/export processes for firearms and accessories in Trinidad and Tobago, with IMPACS providing an overview of the Crime Gun Intelligence Unit (CGIU).
The CTAM course is part of UNLIREC’s project “Combating Illicit Firearms and Ammunition Trafficking in the Caribbean”, funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the United States. It aligns with the 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms, the Arms Trade Treaty, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This initiative to regional efforts to prevent the illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition, reduce firearms-related crimes, and support the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap.
Nov 15, 2024 | Conventional Arms Programme
NEW YORK, 11 November (Office for Disarmament Affairs) — The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) is delighted to announce the launch of its new podcast series, Women, Forces of Change: The Podcast, which is dedicated to highlighting the voices of women from Latin America and the Caribbean who work in disarmament.
Over the course of 10 episodes, listeners will be invited to reflect on the importance of women’s voices in peace, security and disarmament. “At UNLIREC, we are proud to provide a platform that celebrates and supports women who are making forward strides in traditionally male-dominated fields,” said Soledad Urruela, Director of UNLIREC. “This podcast will spotlight their achievements, the challenges they overcome, and their vision for a safer and more equitable world.”
Women, Forces of Change: The Podcast features a diverse lineup of women, including experts, diplomats, policymakers and civil society leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean, who will share their personal journeys and insights on advancing peace and security worldwide.
Featured guests include inspiring women leaders such as Kettly Julien (Haiti), Ana Pamela Romero (Mexico), Mayla Alejandra de León (Guatemala), Clarissa Rojas (Peru), Elizabeth Ward (Jamaica), Tamika Henry (Guyana), Nadine Bushell (Trinidad and Tobago), Constanza Bucarey (Chile), Carina Solmirano (Argentina) and Juliana Aguiar (Brazil). A special episode will feature Maritza Chan Valverde, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations, and Dennis Francis, Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations, who, together with Ms. Urruela, will reflect on the progress in the United Nations General Assembly resolution on women, disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control. The podcast series launched on 8 November and will run for a month, with the final episode airing on 8 December to coincide with the fourteenth anniversary of the adoption of the resolution.
Women, Forces of Change: The Podcast will be available on platforms, such as Spotify and YouTube, and will feature conversations in English, Spanish and French.
For more information, please visit https://unlirec.org/en/publicacion/women-forces-of-change-the-podcast/ and follow UNLIREC on Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter) and LinkedIn.
Background
Women, Forces of Change: The Podcast is funded by the Government of Canada and is aimed at strengthening and promoting the key role of Latin American and Caribbean women in disarmament and security in the region.
This podcast series builds on UNLIREC’s original publication series Women, Forces of Change, which has highlighted the contributions and perspectives of over 200 women in disarmament since 2012.
About UNLIREC
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, is one of three regional centres under the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Since its establishment in 1986, the Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean has worked to promote peace, security and disarmament in the region.
For more information, please contact information@unlirec.org.
Oct 21, 2024 | Conventional Arms Programme
From 21 to 25 October 2024, 35 representatives of various institutions responsible for firearms and ammunition control in Paraguay participated in the Course on Combating Trafficking in Arms and Ammunition (CTAM). This training was organized by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay and support from the Directorate of War Materiel (DIMABEL).
Participants included representatives from the National Administration of Navigation and Ports, the National Defense Council, the National Directorate of Civil Aeronautics, the Directorate of War Materiel, the National Directorate of Tax Revenue, the National Directorate of Migration, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Naval Prefecture, and the Secretariat for the Prevention of Money Laundering. They shared their experiences and challenges in addressing the issue of arms trafficking.
During the opening session, Colonel Marcos Mendoza Fretez from DIMABEL, Mr. Francisco Oxilia Vera from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Gordon Kricke, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Paraguay, emphasized the importance of strengthening national capacities and enhancing international cooperation to prevent and combat the diversion and illicit trafficking of arms and ammunition —an issue that significantly impacts the region.
The objective of the CTAM was to equip national authorities with the knowledge and technical tools necessary to implement strategies for preventing and combating illicit trafficking in firearms and ammunition in line with international instruments. The course covered a range of topics, including a overview of illicit firearms trafficking trends in Latin America and the Caribbean, methods used for the illicit manufacture and trafficking of firearms, and the vital role of control systems and documentation for international transfers of and ammunition in preventing and combating these crimes.. It also addressed measures to prevent illicit brokering and explored mechanisms and tools for international cooperation in cases of firearms trafficking. INTERPOL contributed to the course by sharing insights on recent joint operations in the region, trends in illicit trafficking , and tools available to member states for facilitating information exchange and promoting international cooperation.
Representatives from DIMABEL, the agency responsible for arms oversight in Paraguay, showcased national efforts to strengthen firearms control and combat diversion and illicit trafficking of arms and ammunition. A notable initiative is the implementation of the DIMABEL Integrated System (SID), a national registry that consolidates all activities related to firearms and related materials conducted by individuals and commercial entities. Together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they presented mechanisms for international cooperation, fostering an environment for inter-institutional information exchange and the sharing of best practices.
The CTAM course is part of the project “Supporting the Implementation of Subregional, Regional and Global Instruments and Frameworks Related to Small Arms Control and Ammunition Management Across Latin America and The Caribbean”, funded by Germany.
Sep 18, 2024 | Conventional Arms Programme
Kingston/Jamaica, 18 September 2024 – In an effort to take a stand against firearm violence in Jamaican schools, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament, and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) and the Jamaican Ministry of Education and Youth (MOEY) have launched a competition entitled “Music and Visual Art for Change: Preventing Firearm Violence in Schools”. This initiative invites students ages 12 to 19 across Jamaica to use their artistic and musical talents to convey the powerful message of peace and firearm violence prevention.
The “Music and Visual Art for Change” competition seeks to harness the transformative power of music and art to address and prevent firearms possession and violence in schools. By encouraging Jamaican youth to create art and music that promote peace, this initiative aspires to shape a positive narrative that stands against the normalization of firearm violence.
The competition seeks to emphasize that firearms are not symbols of power or strength. True strength is found in standing firm in one’s values, prompting peace, unity, and positive change, including through creative self-expression. Respect is earned through kindness and establishing non-violent conflict resolution in communities, while cultivating positive influences. By embracing these principles, the initiative aims to support and inspire the younger generation to reject violence and build safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.
How to Participate
Jamaican students, ages 12 to 19, can submit their artistic creations, including paintings, drawings, graphic designs, photographs or musical compositions at www.unlirec.org/music-art by 21 October 2024. Entries should reflect the core message of non-violence and peace, promoting the prevention of the possession of firearms and their use in schools.
The competition opens today, 18 September 2024, and will run until 21 October 2024. Entries will be reviewed between 21 October 2024 and 10 November 2024, and the public will have the chance to vote for their favorite submissions via social media. Finalists will be announced on 11 November 2024. The competition will culminate with an event held in Kingston, Jamaica, during the month of November, which will showcase the submissions of the finalists and will be followed by an award ceremony to announce the winners of the competition.
To learn more visit www.unlirec.org/music-art and follow UNLIREC´s and MOEY´s social media accounts for updates and announcements: @unlirec_official, @moeyjamaica, @unjamaica.
Help us spread the word about this important initiative by sharing this opportunity with your friends, family, and colleagues! Together, we can create a safer future, free from firearm violence, in Jamaica.
“Music and Visual Art for Change: Preventing Firearms Violence in Schools” is part of the activities carried out by the United Nations and Jamaican authorities under the Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) fund initiative in Jamaica. This initiative seeks to tackle armed violence in Jamaica as part of a comprehensive approach to sustainable security and development.
This competition supports the implementation of the Youth, Peace, Security agenda; the United Nations General Assembly resolutions on Youth, disarmament and non-proliferation, as well as; the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) plays a vital role in advancing arms control, fostering peace, and supporting sustainable development across the region.
The Jamaican Ministry of Education and Youth (MOEY) is committed to improving educational outcomes and the well-being of students across Jamaica.
For more information, please visit www.unlirec.org/music-art or email music-art@unlirec.org.
Sep 11, 2024 | Conventional Arms Programme
From 9-18 September, prosecutors from Honduras are participating in the Specialized Course for Prosecutors on the investigation of Firearms-related Crimes from a Gender Perspective (CEFAF). This course is organized by the United Nations Regional Center for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in coordination with the “Orlan Arturo Chávez” Training School of the Honduran Prosecutor’s Office.
This course is conducted in a virtual format and aims to raise awareness among public prosecutors and support staff about the importance of incorporating the gender perspective into the design of legal strategies and the development of case theories in investigations of crimes against women involving the presence of firearms.
“The organization of this course was motivated by a deeply concerning issue: femicide, particularly the use of firearms in the commission of this grave crime. The extremely high rate of impunity for these offences is unacceptable. We must improve in this area. As prosecutors, t is in your hands to conduct thorough investigations that lead to arrests and subsequent convictions in the courts”, emphasized the representative of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Honduras.
The Course for Prosecutors on the Investigation of Firearms-related Cases from a Gender Perspective (CEFAF) encourages exchange and participation. It aims to understand the experiences, good practices, and challenges faced by the Honduran Prosecutor’s Office in applying a gender perspective during investigations.
The CEFAF is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Goals 5 and 16. These goals aim to eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls and to reduce illicit arms flows.
This activity is part of the SALIENT (Saving Lives Entity) in Honduras, implemented by UNLIREC (as the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs’ regional center) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
