On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) held an event entitled The Impact of Stray Bullets in Latin America and the Caribbean, which took place on 22 September 2014 at the UN Common House in Lima.
Members of UNLIREC’s Public Security Programme presented an analysis of reported cases of stray bullets in Latin American and the Caribbean media during the period 2009-2013. This study examines stray bullets armed violence in order to share recommendations to prevent this phenomenon.
The study documented 550 cases of armed violence caused by stray bullets – resulting in 617 victims – as reported in the media in 27 different countries in the region. The cases were classified in the following categories: a) injury or death; b) gender; c) age; and d) types of armed violence.
Minors (under the age of 18) were 45% of all victims of stray bullets, with young adults (ages 18-29) representing 21% of victims. This means that 66% of all victims of stray bullets documented were young people under the age of 30. On the other hand, 43% of victims were women. Women represent a much higher percentage of stray bullets victims in comparison with armed violence in general (less than 20%).
The study also points out that the best way to tackle armed violence in general, and stray bullets specifically, is by integrating small arms control and armed violence reduction and prevention measures as integral parts of citizen security, crime and violence prevention frameworks. Moreover, the study suggests that States adopt legislative measures to criminalize ‘celebratory fire’ (shots into the air), along with public awareness and education campaigns to address the cultural aspects of this behavior.
As a means of recommendation, States should build the capacity of law enforcement personnel on the use of force, which goes beyond tactical training and focuses on the use of firearms by considering parameters of legality, necessity and proportionality.
UNLIREC hopes that this study sheds additional light on the phenomenon of stray bullets and the potential role that small arms control, armed violence reduction and other targeted measures can play in preventing more stray bullets and the disproportionate effect they have on women and young people.
The event was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, UN agencies, state institutions, civil society organizations, academia and member from the media.
For more information on UNLIREC visit (ww.unlirec.org). Please direct all of your questions or queries to Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer (cowl@unlirec.org).