Within the framework of the Combating the Illicit Trafficking in Arms and Ammunition in Latin America and the Caribbean project, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Security of Costa Rica conducted a seminar on marking small arms and ammunition on 27 March.
The seminar boasted the participation of authorities and representatives from the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Forensic Sciences Laboratory and the Judicial Investigation Department.
Since 2017 UNLIREC has been working with Costa Rica on the standardization of arms marking protocols. During the seminar the obligations, standards and good international practices on marking as an arms control measure were addressed. The seminar provided a space for exchange among the different participating entities geared towards advancing the implementation of international commitments signed by Costa Rica regarding the implementation of arms marking and their incorporation in national law.
During the seminar there were also presentations on good practices for marking ammunition as well as different technical proposals in line with international guidelines. The activity ended with a practical component in which the participants could witness the marking of arms and ammunition with laser technology.
The implementation of this project is possible thanks to financial assistance from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.