From 21 to 24 November 2016, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) advanced its project activities related to strengthening the oversight and building capacities for small arms Control and non-proliferation in the private security sector in Costa Rica.
The main objective of the mission was to improve the management of stockpiles of arms and ammunition for private security companies based on the International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS) and the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATGs). The implementation of these standards contributes to preventing weapons diversion.
During the mission, UNLIREC assessed the level of compliance of the ISACS and the IATGs in five Costa Rican security companies and made recommendations to adapt their stockpile management of arms and ammunition to comply with such standards.
Likewise, UNLIREC held meetings with government authorities to discuss the incorporation of the secondary marking of arms belonging to private security companies. Marking weapons is one of the most important measures in the arms control field, as it contributes to their traceability and record keeping. Upon request of the Government, UNLIREC will support the secondary marking process from a technical perspective within the current project framework.
This project is funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and is implemented in collaboration with the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF). The goal of this project is to promote good governance within the private security sector and promote arms and ammunition control measures in line with international standards and good practices.
Through this assistance package, UNLIREC supports Latin American and Caribbean States in the strengthening 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).