Jul 30, 2015 | Uncategorized
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) presented its new project Strengthening Oversight and Building Capacities for Small Arms Control and Non-proliferation in the Private Security Sector on 28 July 2015 in San Salvador. This project was launched during a National Executive Seminar on UN International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS) and the International Code of Conduct (ICoC) for Private Security Service Providers. Several Private Security Companies operating in El Salvador, as well as representatives of national agencies in charge of controlling and regulating this sector, participated in the event.
Private security has grown over the last years in Latin America, becoming more professional in its offer of protection and monitoring services with the use of firearms. This growth has given way to a higher demand for legal firearms and ammunitions needed by private security companies to operate. Similar to government agencies that use firearms, Private Security Companies and their agents are equally vulnerable to insecurity (thefts, attacks) and corruption (illegal selling and unlawful use of arms) which in turn can ignite the diversion of arms to illegal trafficking, and the potential for violent and criminal acts against citizen’s safety.
UNLIREC’s project, developed in partnership with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), will contribute to reducing these risks throughout training, guidance and recommendation to security companies for the purpose of helping companies improve the management and security of their arms and ammunition inventories. UNLIREC’s technical assistance is based on International standards, good practices, procedures and initiatives recognized around the world, such as the ICoC Private Security Service Providers, as well as on the ISACS.
Private Security companies interested in joining this project may do it so at no cost with the aim of increasing their capabilities and strengthening their competiveness and reputation in the market.
This project is made possible with the financial support from the Federal Government of Germany. By providing assistance to Latin American and Caribbean States, UNLIREC contributes to improving public security and effective implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN 2001 PoA).
For more information about UNLIREC, visit (www.unlirec.org) or contact Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Official (cowl@unlirec.org).
Source: UNLIREC
Jul 28, 2015 | Uncategorized
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament, and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) held a two-day training session (30 and 31 July 2015) for representatives from 26 private security companies in El Salvador as part of the Technical Workshop on Good Practices and International Standards for the Management of Arms and Munitions Inventories of Private Security Companies.
The participants received training designed to incorporate security and control procedures in facilities where arms and ammunition belonging to private security companies are stockpiled with the goal of minimizing the risk of diversion. It is well known that lost or stolen arms and ammunition, from both government and private stocks, are an important source of illegal weaponry for unlawful and criminal purposes. This risk can be significantly reduced by implementing internationally accepted international standards and good practices. Therefore, training those in charge of the storage, control, transportation, and safe-keeping of firearms and ammunition in their respective companies is a matter of vital importance in terms of control and prevention.
The workshop – delivered by UNLIREC’s Public Security Programme team – covered firearms and ammunition classification, secure storage and inventory management, risk assessment, security plans, and notification of incidents, among other topics.
This workshop forms part of a recently launched project entitled ‘Strengthening Oversight and Building Capacities for Small Arms Control and Non-proliferation in the Private Security Sector’, which is financed by the Federal Republic of Germany. One of the main goals of this project implemented in association with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) – is to promote internationally accepted standards, good practices, and initiatives, such as the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoC) and the United Nations International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS).
By providing assistance to Latin American and Caribbean States, UNLIREC supports improvements in public security and the implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN 2001 PoA).
For more information about UNLIREC, visit (www.unlirec.org) or contact Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer, (cowl@unlirec.org).
Source: UNLIREC
Jul 22, 2015 | Uncategorized
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the National Superintendence for the Control of Security Services, Arms, Ammunition and Explosives for Civilian Use (SUCAMEC), imparted a two-day training session (22-23 July 2015) to personnel from 16 private security companies. This initiative forms part of the Technical Workshop on Good Practices and International Standards for the Management of Arms and Ammunition Inventories of Private Security Companies in Lima.
Workshop participants, in charge of the storage, control and safe-keeping of firearms and ammunition in their respective companies, received training on security procedures in arms and ammunition storage installations with a view to minimizing risks and avoiding their diversion into illegal channels. It is widely known that weapons and ammunition stolen or lost from both state and private arsenals represent an important source of for criminal use. These risks can be significantly mitigated if those in charge of the control and administration of these arms deposits implement internationally-recognized standards and good practices.
The workshop covered topics, such as the classification of arms and ammunition, secure storage and inventory management, risk evaluation, security plans and incident notification, among others. Theoretical sessions were complemented by practical exercises led by the UNLIREC Public Security Programme team.
This workshop forms part of a project entitled ‘Strengthening Oversight and Building Capacities for Small Arms Control and Non-proliferation in the Private Security Sector’, which is financed by the Federal Republic of Germany. One of the main goals of this project implemented in association with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), is to promote internationally-accepted standards, good practices, and initiatives, such as the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoC) and the United Nations International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS).
By providing assistance to Latin American and Caribbean States, UNLIREC supports improvements in public security and the implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN 2001 PoA).
For more information about UNLIREC, visit (www.unlirec.org) or contact Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer, (cowl@unlirec.org).
