From October 20 to November 17, 30 national x-ray operators participated in the Interdicting Small Arms, Ammunition Parts and Components Course (ISAAPC) held in Colombia for the second time by the United Nations Regional Center for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC).This course was arranged in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN) and the Tax and Customs Police (POLFA). This second edition of ISAAPC in Colombia was aimed at relevant DIAN and POLFA officials. It has adopted a hybrid format consisting of both virtual and in-person sessions.
Faced with the challenge of illicit trafficking of arms and ammunition in the region, a criminal activity which is constantly evolving, UNLIREC aims to contribute to the efforts of Colombia, and all Latin American and Caribbean States in combating and preventing the illicit trafficking of firearms, their parts, components, ammunition and explosives through postal shipments, parcels, packages and luggage. It is important to note that ISAAPC was developed as a specialized training program for X-ray operators who carry out control and inspection duties at strategic points.
During the training, the participants will strengthen their skills in identifying weapons, their parts, components, ammunition and explosives, through a combination of theoretical and practical methodology. The course includes training on a virtual platform, and in-person practical activities at the El Dorado International Airport (Bogota). Both activities are aimed at improving the ability to identify threats such as weapons, their parts and components, ammunition and improvised explosive devices.
To complement and enrich this training and encourage cross-agency information sharing, , participants from different national institutions will also share their experiences in the detection of firearms and ammunition through x-rays.
The Interdicting Small Arms, Ammunition, Parts and Components Course (ISAAPC) ) is part of the technical assistance provided by UNLIREC under the Supporting the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects project, funded by the European Union.
From 30-31 October 2023, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) hosted an online National Firearms Tracing and Serial Number Restoration Workshop.
The workshop aimed to provide training for the Haitian National Police in firearms tracing and serial number restoration, essential skills in the fight against illicit firearms.
Participants included officers of various units within the Haitian National Police: The Central Armoury, the Service des permis des armes à feu (SPAF), the Brigade contre la détention illicite d’armes à feu (BDIAF), the Brigade de la police scientifique et technique (BPST), the Brigade de recherche et d’intervention (BRI), and the Groupe d’intervention de la Police Nationale (SWAT/GPIN). Members of the Security and Justice group of the national Task Force on Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) and Community Violence Reduction (CVR), as well as the Chief of Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) at the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), Ms. Aimée Thérèse Faye, also attended as observers.
In the Caribbean region, several challenges hinder the ability of states to trace 100% of illicit firearms recovered. These challenges include the age of firearms, ineffective procedures, and the absence of serial numbers on weapons. Obliterating serial numbers on firearms to mask their origin is a common practice for criminals, facilitating both illegal use and illicit trafficking.
UNLIREC recognized the need to address these issues to assist countries in the region in their efforts to trace firearms effectively.
Participants were introduced to the role of firearms examiners in tracing firearms and to the essential platforms and mechanisms for firearms tracing, including iARMS, eTrace, and the CARICOM Crime Gun Intelligence Unit. Moreover, the workshop addressed the practical aspects of serial number restoration, equipping participants with the skills to recover obliterated serial numbers.
This workshop also emphasized the shared commitment to achieving peace and security in the region. This activity is aligned with UNLIREC’s commitment to supporting Haiti in implementing its National Action Plan for the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap.
UNLIREC, as the regional arm of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, seeks to advance the cause of practical disarmament in Latin America and the Caribbean as part of its commitment to support Member States in their implementation of international disarmament and non-proliferation instruments, in particular, the 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms. The National Firearms Tracing and Serial Number Restoration Workshop was funded by Germany.
October 2023. The CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), as the co-custodians of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, welcome Mines Advisory Group (MAG) as a new implementing partner.
MAG is a global humanitarian and advocacy organization that finds, removes and destroys landmines, cluster munitions and unexploded bombs from places affected by conflict. The organization, which employs some 6,000 people in over 30 countries, also delivers work to reduce armed violence by educating people about the risks of small arms and light weapons and by destroying and marking weapons and helping authorities to safely store arms and ammunition. Since 1989, MAG has helped over 20 million people in 70 countries rebuild their lives after war. In 1997, MAG shared the Nobel Peace Prize for its role in banning landmines.
With the addition of MAG, there are now seven Roadmap Partner agencies that include the Organization of American States (OAS), International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), UN Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Small Arms Survey (SAS) and the World Customs Organization (WCO).
The Caribbean Firearms Roadmap was adopted in July 2020 with a view to making the region safer by addressing the illicit proliferation of firearms and ammunition. International partners have since supported Caribbean States through the provision of expertise and best practices towards the adoption of sustainable solutions, consistent with international norms and the Caribbean context, to control, eradicate, prevent, and prosecute the illicit possession, proliferation and misuse of firearms and ammunition.
From 16—21 October, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) delivered the Introduction to Operational Forensic Ballistics Training and conducted assessments on Forensic Ballistic capabilities and Inventory Management at the Royal St. Kitts and Nevis Police Force. These activities are in line with the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap (CFRM), particularly to the priorities identified by the State in its National Action Plan, aimed at bolstering law enforcement capacity to combat illicit firearms and ammunition trafficking and their illicit possession and misuse, and decreasing the risk of diversion of firearms and ammunition from government- and non-government-owned arsenals.
As part of the assistance, UNLIREC facilitated an introductory training in Operational Forensic Ballistics to four officials from the Royal St. Kitts and Nevis Police Force and St Kitts and Nevis Defence Forceaimed at educating forensic officials and other staff to the requirement for, and capabilities of, forensic ballistics in support of criminal investigations and the counter-proliferation of firearms.
Additionally, the assessment on forensic ballistics capabilities and evidence management were carried out with the aim of gauging the capabilities at the forensic laboratory, as well as the security measures and inventory management practices at the Police facilities. The assessments were conducted in line with international guidelines, including the United Nations Modular Small-arms-control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC) and the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
UNLIREC, as the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs’ Regional Centre, seeks to advance the cause of practical disarmament in Latin America and the Caribbean as part of its commitment to support Member States in their implementation of international disarmament and non-proliferation instruments, in particular, the 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms. This assistance was made possible with the generous support of the governments of the United States of America and Canada.
On 4, 7 and 8 September 2023, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) hosted three regional Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting webinars. These followed a previous webinar held on 27 March 2023, and precede the upcoming Annual Meeting of States of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, scheduled for 14-15 November 2023 in Saint Lucia.
Following welcoming remarks from representatives of UNLIREC and CARICOM IMPACS as co-custodians of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, the webinars highlighted the commitment by the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap States to combat illicit trafficking, forge partnerships and strengthen regional capacities. . Participants were updated on progress and developments to date in order to provide participants a comprehensive overview of ongoing efforts in the region. In addition, Filoi, who developed the Roadmap Reporting Platform. provided a hands-on demonstration of its functionality, ensuring that attendees gained practical insights into its effective use.
The primary focus of this webinar was to enhance understanding of the Roadmap Reporting Platform and engage relevant Caribbean Firearms Roadmap Focal Points.
Towards the Annual Meeting of States
This November, the Annual Meeting of States of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap will bring together Ministers from the region to discuss implementation of said Roadmap, identify additional priorities, challenges and assistance needs. In that regard, the work of National Focal Points towards monitoring and evaluation is crucial to the success of the Annual Meeting.
These M&E webinars are aligned with the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular Goal 16 “Peace, justice and strong institutions”, and were made possible with funding from the Government of Germany.
Learn more about the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap here.
From 21 to 25 August, twenty-nine officials from thirteen Caribbean countries will participate in the 2nd Regional Armoury Management Course delivered by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
The specialized course aims to supplement the manufacturer-based training received by Caribbean based Armourers and equip them with the knowledge, skills and abilities for small arms ammunition control and management; as well as general stockpile management training designed to prevent loss, theft, and diversion.
Representatives from law enforcement and military agencies from Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago (Customs & Excise Division, Trinidad & Tobago Prison Service and Trinidad & Tobago Police Service) are participating in this course. The training is taking place at the Police Academy in St. James, Port of Spain.
The Armoury Management Course forms part of the technical assistance provided by UNLIREC within the “Support in the Implementation of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap Project” funded by the Government of Canada and is developed in line with 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms, the Arms Trade Treaty and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It also contributes towards regional efforts to prevent the illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition, thereby reducing firearms-related crimes and armed violence in the Caribbean The course further supports Goal 4 of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap which aims to systematically decrease the risk of diversion of firearms and ammunition from government- and non-government-owned arsenals and to ensure safe and secure firearms and ammunition storage facilities and management practices in accordance with international guidelines.
