Feb 27, 2018 | Uncategorized
From 27 February to 2 March, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), conducted activities in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at strengthening criminal investigations by national authorities and improve forensic ballistic capacity. Activities included UNLIREC’s inter-institutional Firearms and Ammunition Evidence Management Course (EMC) from 27 February – 1 March, followed by a National Executive Meeting (NEM) at the Ministry of National Security on February 2.
Harmonized efforts are fundamental in developing a sound national strategy to investigate and prosecute firearms-related cases and illicit trafficking in firearms and ammunition. Consequently, UNLIREC convened this initiative to strengthen coordination among security sector officials, share knowledge on key aspects of the chain of custody process, provide practical training on best practices to process a scene under investigation, and increase the knowledge base of the relevant legal framework.
The EMC training was led by international subject matter experts and contained modules on ‘Firearms and Ammunition Identification’, ‘Legal Considerations in Criminal Investigations’, ‘Evidence Management at the Crime Scene’, ‘Evidence Examination and Analysis in the Laboratory’, ‘Intelligence and Investigation Tools’, as well as field exercises. Participants also benefitted from presentations by the Senior State Counsel, Director of Public Prosecutions, on the national legislative context to prosecute firearms-related offenses and by INTERPOL on addressing firearms trafficking, firearms tracing, and investigative tools available.
The Police Commissioner, Provost of the Police Academy, Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Forensic Science Centre, and the Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy, attended the launch of the EMC at the Police Academy in Port of Spain. 35 justice and law enforcement participants, including firearms examiners, forensic laboratory personnel, crime scene investigators, intelligence police officers, police prosecutors and public prosecutors were trained during the course. Training on best practices for collecting, packaging, and transferring firearms and ammunition found at a scene under investigation increases the capacity of security sector officials to manage potential evidence in a way that is deemed admissible in a court of law, and ultimately allows for a reduction in impunity in firearms-related cases.
The Executive Meeting with senior leadership of the Ministry of National Security discussed the recommendations made in UNLIREC’s 2015 National Assessment of Trinidad and Tobago’s forensic ballistics capabilities. The meeting also reviewed the recommendations that have been implemented as well as areas for future assistance.
Both the EMC and NEM are part of UNLIREC’s Caribbean Operational Forensic Ballistics Assistance Package, which is made possible thanks to the support of the governments of Canada, Germany, and the United States of America.
UNLIREC, as the regional organ of the UN Office for Disarmament, 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.
Feb 26, 2018 | Uncategorized
UNLIREC representatives travelled to Paramaribo, Suriname to co-host a National Action Plan (NAP) finalisation workshop alongside Suriname’s Ministry of Defence. The workshop also devoted a number of afternoon sessions to select themes that corresponded with UNSCR 1540 implementation topics such as the creation of an inter-institutional mechanism, role and function of a national authority and the development of national control lists.
The workshop provided a forum for select group of representatives from national authorities including the Ministries of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Attorney-Generals and Police and Trade. The workshop was also attended by a UNSCR 1540 Expert who was able to provide valuable insights that contributed to the enhanced development of Suriname’s NAP.
UNLIREC’s technical assistance was provided to Suriname as part of UNLIREC’s Programme for Strengthening the Capacities of States in Latin America and the Caribbean to Implement UNSCR 1540 (2004).
Feb 22, 2018 | Uncategorized
On 22 February 2018, a special workshop was held in Trinidad and Tobago to launch a preview of UNLIREC’s latest publication, the UNSCR 1540 Licensing Guide.
The event brought together representatives from a broad range of national authorities including the Ministries of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Customs, Attorney-General and Legal Affairs, Health, Trade and Industry, as well as representatives from the Financial Intelligence Unit and Strategic Services Agency.
The purpose of the UNSCR 1540 Licensing Guide is to provide States in the Latin American and Caribbean region with a practical tool that is complementary to UNLIREC’s signature publication from 2017, the UNLIREC Guide to Control Lists. Both topics were centerstage for the workshop and stimulated interesting dialogue amongst attendees on practical implementation aspects, dual-use goods and technologies, operational practises and regional trends.
The workshop was possible due generous funding provided by the Government of Canada as part of UNLIREC’s Programme for Strengthening the Capacities of States in Latin America and the Caribbean to Implement UNSCR 1540 (2004).
Feb 19, 2018 | Uncategorized
On 19-20 February, representatives from 9 Caribbean States attended a Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Third Review Conference on the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (RevCon3).
Through the support of the European Union, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and its regional arm, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) were able to organize this meeting held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Trinidad.
During the two-day discussions, the participating States deliberated on the key features of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in the region, as well as the strategies to counteract this phenomenon. They also devised plans to identify priorities in view of the upcoming RevCon3 that will take place in New York City on 18-29 June of this year.
These discussions were fuelled by the contributions of the President-designate of the RevCon3, Ambassador Jean-Claude Brunet, representatives of UNODA and the Non-Governmental organization Small Arms Survey. The main topics addressed were the fight against illicit arms trafficking; border controls at sea and in transit and transshipment; the prevention of the diversion of small arms and light weapons; stockpile management; the marking of firearms; reporting on national instruments; mechanisms to facilitate information exchange among the States; ammunition controls; and the challenges that arise in the effort to counteract the illicit arms trafficking that is associated with the development of new technologies.
The Meeting concluded with the national delegations’ being given the opportunity both to interact with Ambassador Brunet in an informal setting and to privately discuss their future plans.
Feb 13, 2018 | Uncategorized
On 13-14 February, representatives from 18 Latin American States attended a Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Third Review Conference on the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (RevCon3).
Through the support of the European Union, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and its regional arm, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) were able to organize this meeting held at the United Nations Common House in Peru.
During the two-day discussions, the participating States deliberated on the key features of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in the region, as well as the strategies to counteract this phenomenon. They also devised plans to identify priorities in view of the upcoming RevCon3 that will take place in New York City on 18-29 June of this year.
These discussions were fuelled by the contributions of the President-designate of the RevCon3, Ambassador Jean-Claude Brunet, representatives of UNODA and the Non-Governmental organization Small Arms Survey. The main topics addressed were the prevention of the diversion of small arms and light weapons; stockpile management; marking, registration and destruction of firearms; mechanisms to facilitate information exchange among the States; ammunition controls; and the challenges that arise in the effort to counteract the illicit arms trafficking that is associated with the development of new technologies.
The Meeting concluded with the national delegations’ being given the opportunity both to interact with Ambassador Brunet in an informal setting and to privately discuss their future plans.
Feb 5, 2018 | Uncategorized
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) continues to support State efforts to facilitate the effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). On 5-6 February, UNLIREC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala held a Technical Workshop on the Evaluation of Transfers and Reports of conventional arms.
During the mission, focus was placed on national authorities from sectors in charge of controlling conventional arms transfers or from other areas responsible for ATT implementation. As such, 25 representatives from various state entities participated, including the Directorate-General for the Control of Arms and Ammunition (DIGECAM), National Civil Police, Customs Authorities (SAT), the Ports, Airports and Border Checkpoints Division (DIPAFRONT), the Ministry of National Defence, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The UNLIREC team likewise presented the obligations arising out of the ATT, in particular those concerning export assessment. Guidelines were presented on how to establish an evaluation system aligned with the ATT and with conventional arms importation. Furthermore, the requirements of presenting the initial and annual reports established under the Treaty were addressed, as were the steps to be taken in the upcoming months in order to advance the practical application of the ATT, both at the policy level and in other relevant areas.
This event further served to formally launch the joint ATT project in Guatemala, sponsored by the Arms Trade Treaty Secretariat’s Voluntary Trust Fund, of which Guatemala is a beneficiary and in which UNLIREC, at the request of the Guatemalan authorities, is an implementing partner. Through this project, Guatemala and UNLIREC are building on the activities and efforts to effectively implement the Treaty that were introduced in a previous assistance and cooperation package in 2015.
