Mar 28, 2017 | Uncategorized
A set of activities aimed at strengthening the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) was carried out in the Dominican Republic from 28 to 29 March 2017 as part of UNLIREC’s support to States in the region. These activities – made possible thanks to the financial contribution by the government of Canada – encompass the adoption of internal regulations in accordance with the provisions established in the Resolution, as reflected in the National Plan of Action that the Dominican Republic presented in November 2015 to the 1540 Committee.
Within this context, UNLIREC continued its technical and legal assistance related to the draft of ‘WMD Non-Proliferation Bill of Law’. UNLIREC’s technical expert was accompanied by a former member of the Group of Experts of the 1540 Committee who provided technical support in the matter. In attendance were 15 national stakeholders and legal drafters from relevant institutions (Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Energy and Mines, and Environmental Ministry) who engaged in a second lively round of discussions to identify specific issues to be covered through subsidiary regulations, as well as a roadmap for the development of these regulations. In addition, the control list to be annexed to the regulations and the definition of national authority roles and responsibilities were highlighted as priorities.
These activities represent a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to strengthen the implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004) and will enable the Dominican Republic to establish concrete objectives towards preventing WMD proliferation.
Oct 24, 2016 | Uncategorized
From 24 to 28 October 2016, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) visited Santiago, Chile to participate in the Training Course for Latin America and the Caribbean Points of Contact for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) and its related resolutions. The training course was hosted by the Government of Chile in cooperation with the 1540 Committee and its Group of Experts and supported by UNODA. The training course was made possible through funding from the UN Trust Fund for Global and Regional Disarmament Activities.
The training course aimed to provide national points of contact with an in-depth knowledge about the resolution’s obligations and its implementation challenges. In addition, it emphasized the importance of building strong networks and promoting cooperation and interaction between national points of contact. The course was conducted with presentations by members of the 1540 Committee Group of Experts and representatives of different International Organizations including OPWC, UNODC, WCO and OAS.
UNLIREC provided logistical support prior and during the training and used this opportunity to strengthen its relationship with key representatives. In addition, UNLIREC took the opportunity to present its assistance package to the region and the work it is carrying out with beneficiary States in the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004).
National points of contact play an important role in the effective implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004). The training was an excellent opportunity to share national experiences and learn from the challenges each State faces. The training for resolution 1540 (2004) National Points of Contact from Latin America and the Caribbean Region aims to become an annual regional meeting to bolster the network.
Sep 12, 2016 | Uncategorized
On 9 December, UNLIREC held consultations with the Government of Belize to discuss its Draft National Action Plan on Implementation of UNSCR 1540(2004). This meeting brought together 12 representatives from eight institutions and agencies (including the Belize Coast Guard, Defence Force, Immigration, Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), Police Department, National Security Council Secretariat, Customs & Excise Department and Port Authority).
UNLIREC presented summaries of the resolution and its main obligations, as well as of UNLIREC’s national legal study and its main recommendations for better aligning 1540 obligations with national provisions. In turn, Belize delivered a presentation on the status of implementation of the resolution in the country to date. CARICOM also provided a presentation on the relevance of the implementation of 1540 Resolution in the region, with special emphasis on Belize.
During the intense one-day workshop, the group identified and established a series of official focal points from each of the stakeholder institutions present, and discussed the content of a Voluntary National Action Plan that is to be presented to the 1540 Committee in the near future. Issues relating to the modernization of legislation, training and equipment needs, as well as assignment of specific roles and responsibilities, were addressed throughout the day.
Prior to this workshop, in July 2015, UNLIREC assisted Belize in the preliminary discussions for the drafting of the National Action Plan.
This meeting forms part of UNLIREC’s 1540 Assistance Package for Caribbean States with the financial support of Canada.
May 12, 2016 | Uncategorized
Construyendo sobre la misión previa llevada a cabo en julio, los representantes del Centro Regional de las Naciones Unidas para la Paz, el Desarme y el Desarrollo en América Latina y el Caribe (UNLIREC) regresaron a Trinidad y Tobago en noviembre y diciembre para continuar trabajando con las autoridades del Gobierno en la implementación de una legislación nacional que aborde el financiamiento de las actividades de proliferación de armas de destrucción masiva (ADM).
Los talleres sobre la elaboración de leyes se centraron en la creación de nuevas disposiciones penales para tipificar como delito el financiamiento de la proliferación e introducir nuevas penalidades para tales actividades. Asimismo, se prestó atención a la ampliación de la función, el rol y el alcance de los poderes legislativos requeridos por la Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera de Trinidad y Tobago que permitan la regulación del financiamiento de la proliferación, así como del lavado de dinero y el financiamiento del terrorismo.
Se prestó especial atención a la implementación de las Resoluciones del Consejo de Seguridad de las Naciones Unidas (UNSCR) sobre las sanciones y restricciones específicas para la República Popular Democrática de Corea (RPDC) e Irán, respectivamente. Dadas las fechas de la celebración del taller de diciembre, la publicación de la última resolución de sanciones a la RPDC (UNSCR 2321 [2016]) significó un oportuno recordatorio sobre la preocupación que ocasiona en el clima mundial de seguridad la proliferación de las ADM.
Asimismo, además de los talleres sobre la prevención del financiamiento de la proliferación, UNLIREC aprovechó la oportunidad para proporcionar apoyo en el Plan de Acción Nacional voluntario de Trinidad y Tobago (NAP, por sus siglas en inglés) que articula el plan nacional para la implementación de la Resolución 1540 (2004). Se espera que Trinidad y Tobago presente su Plan de Acción Nacional a inicios del 2017.
May 4, 2016 | Uncategorized
Dominican Republic submitted its voluntary national implementation action plan to the 1540 Committee in November 2015 demonstrating its commitment to the mandate of the UNSCR 1540 (2004) and aiding the country to implement its obligations. Within its action plan, Dominican Republic mapped out a series of specific objectives and activities as well as committed, as one of the country`s priorities, to strengthen its legal framework, including the modernization of WMD legislation.
Accordingly from 29 to 1 October 2015, a team of legal experts from UNLIREC traveled to Santo Domingo to hold a legal drafting session with Dominican counterparts. Upon request, UNLIREC’s legal specialists returned to the Dominican Republic from 5 to 6 April 2016, to follow up on the draft WMD law that was developed during the previous work-session and to provide comments and feedback. UNLIREC’s specialized legal team was joined by a former member of the Group of Experts to the 1540 Committee who provided technical support on the topic.
This work-session, which included 21 (5 female) legal advisors and representations from the various relevant institutions, focused on reviewing the draft WMD law in line with the provisions of Resolution 1540. In this regard, the discussions were focused on ensuring that the text of this document meets the obligations of this international instrument on the nonproliferation of WMD.
As a next step to this process, UNLIREC and the technical experts from Dominican Republic will continue reviewing the draft WMD law. Likewise, UNLIREC will support the country in developing additional subsidiary regulations including a national control list, once the bill of law is finalized.
This draft law constitutes a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to strengthen implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004) and will provide Dominican Republic with a solid legal basis for adopting trade controls and measures to counter the proliferation of WMD.
For more information on UNLIREC visit (www.unlirec.org). Please direct all questions or inquiries to Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer (cowl@unlirec.org).
