The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) supported the largest destruction of firearms in the history of Peru. The National Regulatory Entity for Security Service, Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives for Civilian Use (SUCAMEC) undertook the destruction of nearly ten thousand firearms in the steel company SiderPeru on 7 July 2016. UNLIREC provided technical assistance and accompaniment to this activity, which took place within the framework of the global initiative that commemorates International Gun Destruction Day on 9 July by the United Nations.
The UN, with years of accumulated experience in combating illicit arms trafficking, has concluded that the periodic destruction of weapons is the most effective way to ensure that weapons do not return to illegality and are not used to put innocent lives and the security of communities at risk. Destruction is irreversible and thus clearly contributes to the prevention and reduction of armed violence and therefore the strengthening of citizen security. In carrying out weapons destruction processes, the state sends a clear message to its citizens about its commitment to arms control.
After an exhaustive process of documentation, monitoring and verification, weapons were destroyed by smelting in the Sider Perú industrial complex in the city of Chimbote. UNLIREC accompanied the process and ensured that international arms control standards were applied in accordance with international commitments made by Peru.
Among the destroyed weapons were revolvers, pistols, shotguns, rifles and craft weapons from different regions of the country. The majority of the destroyed weapons had been seized by the Peruvian National Police in various unlawful acts and all judicial proceedings had been concluded.
Since 2002, UNLIREC has supported the Government of Peru in various weapons destruction processes and has provided transparency and technical assistance to these activities.
Source: UNLIREC