Nov 25, 2020 | Uncategorized
On Wednesday 25 November, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and in the framework of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) and the Women’s Office of the Supreme Court of Justice in Argentina held a video conference on “Firearms and Gender-Based Violence: Bridging the Gap”.
The event was aimed at judges, prosecutors and officials of the Judicial Branch of the various jurisdictions in the country. More than 70% of the 280 participants were women. This is very encouraging given that promoting greater participation, representation and training of women in firearms control is one of the purposes of UNLIREC’s Program on Women, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Control.
In this regard, the following international guidelines were mentioned: 2030 Agenda: SDG 5 and SDG 16; Res. AG 65/69; Res. CS 1325; CEDAW; UNPoA; among others. These not only underpin UNLIREC’s promotion of the greater participation of women in the sector, but also warn about the influence of firearms on gender-based violence against women and promote regulatory and policy changes that will account for and address this scourge.
In recent years, UNLIREC has conducted various Legal Studies that analyze and compare the national regulations of different countries in the region, on control and regulation of firearms and ammunition; regulations to prevent violence against women; and criminal and procedural codes. The purpose of the studies is to observe whether there is a regulatory crossover, for example, whether laws for the protection of women include specific measures for cases of firearms use, or whether arms control includes the variable of family and/or gender-based violence within its restrictions when issuing permits.
The conference highlighted the case of Argentina, its advances and regulatory crossovers, the policies implemented by the firearms control agency, the importance of producing disaggregated, statistical information on feminicides according to the commission mechanism and even according to the characteristics of the firearm.
Attendees were able to share concerns and interest in the subject matter addressed via the platform’s chat function. At all times, emphasis was placed on the importance of coordination and cooperation among the institutions with responsibilities in both areas: prevention of violence against women and care for victims, and control and regulation of firearms and ammunition.
This activity formed part of UNLIREC’s Program on Women, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Control, supported by the Government of Canada and the European Union.
Nov 24, 2020 | Uncategorized
On 24 November 2020, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) and the Caribbean Community’s Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), in collaboration with the Government of Grenada and the Government of Germany, hosted a virtual Executive Seminar for the Advancement of Grenada’s National Action Plan for the implementation of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap.
The ‘Roadmap for Implementing the Caribbean Priority Actions on the Illicit Proliferation of Firearms and Ammunition across the Caribbean in a Sustainable Manner by 2030’ (Caribbean Firearms Roadmap), adopted by Grenada, consolidates and builds upon the 2019 actions adopted by Caribbean Heads of Governments on addressing the illicit trafficking of firearms in the region.
Grenada became the fourth Caribbean State to have initiated concrete actions contemplated in the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap to create its National Action Plan (NAP). Nine (9) representatives of the Ministry of National Security and Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Grenada Police Force, Public Prosecution Department and Customs and Excise Division along with members of the German Embassy, UNLIREC and CARICOM IMPACS participated in the NAP Executive Seminar. Participants discussed the Roadmap and steps needed to map out Grenada’s priorities, plans and timelines for implementing the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap. The successful implementation of the Roadmap will require both the concerted efforts of national authorities, as well as the timely, targeted and coordinated support of regional and international partners and donors.
The Roadmap serves as a base document for Grenada in the elaboration of its National Action Plan (NAP). It includes four main goals, each of which incorporates pre-defined actions and targets, recommended performance indicators, all in alignment with a timeline, which runs from 2020 to 2030, to coincide with the culmination of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
UNLIREC and CARICOM IMPACS, as the main implementing partners, will lend technical assistance in the elaboration of the NAPs and in their successive implementation. The governments of Canada, Germany, United States of America and the United Kingdom have pledged support to the implementation of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap.
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 instruments, in particular, the 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms.
Nov 23, 2020 | Uncategorized
On 23 November 2020, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) and the Caribbean Community’s Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), in collaboration with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, and the Government of Germany, hosted a virtual Executive Seminar for the Advancement of Antigua and Barbuda’s National Action Plan for the implementation of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap.
Antigua and Barbuda has adopted the ‘Roadmap for Implementing The Caribbean Priority Actions on the Illicit Proliferation of Firearms and Ammunition across the Caribbean in a Sustainable Manner by 2030’ (Caribbean Firearms Roadmap), which consolidates and builds upon the 2019 actions adopted by Caribbean Heads of Governments on addressing the illicit trafficking of firearms in the region.
Antigua and Barbuda, along with two other Caribbean States, initiated concrete actions contemplated in the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap by taking steps to create its National Action Plan (NAP). A total of 25 representatives of the Ministry of National Security and Labour, Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy and Customs and Excise Division, along with members of the German Embassy, UNLIREC and CARICOM IMPACS participated in the NAP Executive Seminar. Participants discussed the Roadmap and steps needed to map out Jamaica’s priorities, plans and timelines for implementing the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap. The successful implementation of the Roadmap will require both the concerted efforts of national authorities, as well as the timely, targeted and coordinated support of regional and international partners and donors.
The Roadmap serves as a base document for Antigua and Barbuda in the elaboration of its National Action Plan (NAP). It includes four main goals: (1) reinforce regulatory frameworks governing firearms and ammunition; (2) reduce the illicit flow of firearms and ammunition into, within and beyond the region; (3) bolster law enforcement capacity to combat illicit firearms and ammunition trafficking and their illicit possession and misuse; and (4) systematically decrease the risk of diversion of firearms and ammunition from government- and non-government-owned arsenals. Each goal incorporates pre-defined actions and targets, recommended performance indicators, all in alignment with a timeline, which runs from 2020 to 2030, to coincide with the culmination of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
UNLIREC and CARICOM IMPACS, as the main implementing partners, will lend technical assistance in the elaboration of the NAPs and in their successive implementation. The governments of Canada, Germany, United States of America and the United Kingdom have pledged support to the implementation of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap.
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 instruments, in particular, the 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms.
Nov 20, 2020 | Uncategorized
On 20 November 2020, UNLIREC carried out a Workshop to assist Chilean authorities responsible for drafting the national Regulations of the Law that implements the Biological Weapons Convention (Law 21.250). The event was supported by “UNODA’s Trust Fund for Global and Regional Disarmament Activities – in support of resolution 1540 (2004)”, financed by the Government of Canada, and it was organized with the technical support of the. Director of Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.
Discussions among the over 50 participants (25 women) evolved around the following topics: the basis for national legislation to control biological agents and assets that can be used for both legitimate (e.g. medicine) and illegitimate purposes (biological weapons proliferation); best practices to prevent the diversion and misuse of biological agents and toxins (biosecurity), and relevant measures contained in the US legislation that could be of interest for Chile. In addition, a fruitful exchange of views was held on criteria for defining the content of a national control list of biological agents and toxins, as well as the requirements for the authorization of the legitimate use of such items.
Moreover, the workshop facilitated dialogue on needs and further steps that need to be taken to strengthen the national implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention and United Nations Security Council resolution 1540. In this regard, the event contributes to Chile’s efforts to comply with its international obligations regarding the non-proliferation of biological weapons.
For more information on UNLIREC, visit www.unlirec.org. Please direct all questions or inquiries to: Ms. Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer at cowl@unlirec.org.
Nov 20, 2020 | Uncategorized
On 20 November 2020, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Governments of Barbados, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago, hosted a Webinar for Forensic Laboratory Directors and Firearm Examiners on The Impact of COVID-19 on Firearm Examination.
The onset of the COVI-19 pandemic has affected every type of workplace, however, little has been done to identify the unique challenges for forensic firearm examination or the mitigating strategies employed by forensic ballistic laboratories. The COVID-19 Webinar explored the challenges faced by Caribbean forensic ballistic laboratories in light of the pandemic, the steps taken to mitigate the transmission of the disease and good practices implemented in forensic ballistic laboratories around the world.
The Webinar also reviewed findings from research conducted by UNLIREC’s Forensic Ballistics Technical Advisor on the topic across forensic ballistic laboratories in the United States, Europe and the Caribbean. During the webinar, UNLIREC shared key responses to survey questions received from 38 laboratories, in 25 countries on challenges faced and good practices implemented to mitigate COVID-19 transmission and ensure an efficient working environment. The webinar also provided an opportunity for Laboratory Directors and Senior firearm examiners from the participating countries to share their experiences on managing staff during the pandemic, firearms caseload management, sanitization and protective measures to mitigate transmission, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) being implemented to ensure a safe and efficient working environment.
In total, 25 firearms examiners, including 7 women, from Royal Bahamas Police Force, Royal Barbados Police Force, Royal St Christopher and Nevis Police Force, Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory, Trinidad and Tobago Forensic Science Centre, and Trinidad and Tobago Police Service participated in the webinar.
The webinar forms part of the Phase 3 of the Operational Forensic Ballistics technical assistance provided to the Caribbean States, with the financial support of the Government of the United States.
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 instruments, in particular, the 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms.
Nov 16, 2020 | Uncategorized
Illicit arms trafficking is one of the main threats to security worldwide. In this context and as part of the technical assistance that UNLIREC provides to Latin American and Caribbean States to help strengthen their capacities to combat and prevent this scourge, from November 16 to 20, 2020, the Interdicting Small Arms, Ammunition, Parts and Components Course (ISAAPCC) was held virtually, directed at El Salvador’s X-ray operators who perform control and inspection functions at entry, exit and transit points in the country.
In recent decades, criminal networks have been identified as using different modalities to illegally traffic small arms, parts, components and ammunition across country borders, using postal mail systems, parcels, household goods, baggage, air cargo, among others.
This specialized course trained 30 X-ray operators from the Borders Division of the National Civilian Police (PNC), Executive Autonomous Port Commission (CEPA) and Customs General Directorate of El Salvador.
Based on a theoretical-practical methodology, this group of operators received training on the fundamental aspects of X-ray technology, technical specifications on small arms, their parts and components, ammunition, as well as on explosives and concealment methods. Participants also received practical training via an online platform developed by the Centre for Adaptive Security Research and Applications, whereby they developed their skills to effectively recognize these types of threats.
It should be noted that this specialized course has been designed considering international standards and good practices on the importance of continuous training for X-ray scanner operators, to achieve optimal levels of security at strategic points, thus helping to reduce the levels of criminality and violence associated with firearms.
This new virtual edition of the ISAAPCC was made possible thanks to the financial support from the German Government.
