From 12-16 March, 2018, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) held two training workshops on “International Standards for the Management of Arms and Ammunition Warehouses of Private Security Companies” in Guadalajara for representatives of private security companies in Mexico. These two-day technical workshops were attended by operational staff of security companies active in various states throughout the country.
In order to mitigate the risk of arms diversion, training was centred on physical security measures for the weapons storage facilities of security companies. It is well known that a major source of criminal possession of weapons is the theft and loss of arms and ammunition from both State-owned and private arms depots. These risks can be significantly reduced through the implementation of internationally-recognized standards and good practices. Therefore, a key component of effective arms control and armed violence prevention is the training of those in charge of stockpile management within their respective companies.
The UNLIREC Public Security Programme team led the workshop, focusing on, inter alia, firearms and ammunition classification, effective stockpile management, risk assessment, security plans and incident notification.
This workshop forms part of the recently launched UNLIREC project entitled Strengthening Oversight and Building Capacities for Small Arms Control and Nonproliferation in the Private Security Sector, funded by the Governments of Mexico and the Federal Republic of Germany. One of the main objectives of this project, developed in collaboration with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), is the promotion of internationally accepted standards, good practices and initiatives to strengthen good governance and arms control in the private security sector.
By providing assistance to Latin American and Caribbean States, UNLIREC contributes to the enhancement of 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 on UNLIREC, please visit (www.unlirec.org) or contact Ms. Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer (cowl@unlirec.org).