(Lima) – Within the cooperation framework established between the Organization of American States (OAS) and UNLIREC, a study has been undertaken to ascertain the extent to which the Inter-American Convention Against Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Materials (CIFTA) has been implemented. UNLIREC completed a comparative legislative study for 12 States in the region. The studies will be presented at the Third Conference of the States Parties to be held in Washington DC on 14-15 May 2012.
Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela all formed part of the study. In the case of Guatemala and Panama, having already participated in the 2010 Central American study, they were updated to reflect the new national legislation on firearms, ammunition and explosives. The studies on the Central American States were presented by the OAS and UNLIREC in connection with the working meeting entitled “legislative progress to prevent and combat illicit firearms trafficking in Central America” in September 2011 at the SICA headquarters in El Salvador.
It is important to note that CIFTA is currently the only legally binding regional instrument for Latin America and the Caribbean, and has been ratified by 31 States in the region. The Convention emphasizes the need for permits or licenses for export, import and transit and the strengthening of checkpoints for exports, among others.