Within the framework of the United Nations Joint Program “Strengthening Human Security and Community Resilience by Fostering Peaceful Co-Existence in Peru” the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in close cooperation with the National Superintendence for the Control of Security Services, Arms, Ammunition and Explosives for Civilian Use (SUCAMEC) carried out a Technical Workshop for Officials of Special Operations against the Illegal Trafficking of Firearms from 6th to 8th August 2014 in Lima.
The Joint Program – implemented by five agencies of the United Nations System – supports the regional authorities of La Libertad province in districts highly affected by violence and crime through diverse initiatives of prevention, public health and improvements in public security services and justice. Within this Program, UNLIREC is leading activities to strengthen regional and local capacities for illicit trafficking and possession of firearms.
In this context, UNLIREC and SUCAMEC joined efforts to develop a program of capacity development directed at those officials involved in operations against illicit trafficking of firearms. The first workshop took place in Lima with the aim of being validated and will be replicated in the upcoming months in Trujillo.
This workshop focused on examining the nature of trafficking and illicit possession of firearms and ammunition in Peru and on strengthening the technical skills of those officials working in arms control. As a result of the workshop, 18 representatives of SUCAMEC and of the National Police of Peru were trained.
Topics included the definition and classification of firearms and ammunition, modalities of illegal arms and ammunition trafficking, stockpile management, national norms and the chain of custody of evidence as related to arms and ammunition, as well as crime scene management in the case of trafficking and illicit possession of firearms. Participants were able to combine theory with practical exercises.
This activity was made possible thanks to the financing of the United Nations Human Security Trust Fund and SUCAMEC. Through its assistance programs, UNLIREC supports States in Latin America and the Caribbean in improving public security and implementing the United Nations Program of Action to Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all of its Aspect (UN PoA 2001).
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).