From 27 to 30 September 2022, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Government of Guyana, held the National Ballistics Intelligence Management Course and a Monitoring and Evaluation Roundtable Meeting of the National Action Plan on firearms (NAP). Both activities contribute to reducing the effects of armed violence and gun crimes by strengthening the capacities of national officials to respond to them.
The National Ballistics Intelligence Management Course was opened by Mr. Robeson Benn, Guyana’s Minister of Home Affairs and Chargé d’Affaires a.i. from the Canadian High Commission, Mr Jake Thomas, who emphasized the importance of strengthened national capacity to combat illicit trafficking and firearms use, and the value of working as a region in a more coordinated manner.
The three-day training course covered topics such as firearms and ammunition identification and classification, chain of custody, which includes all procedures to protect and ensure the authenticity of evidence at crime scenes, as well as the analysis and management of ballistic information and intelligence, which could reduce impunity and prevent armed violence.
Twenty-six officials participated in the course, including five women, representing the Ministry of Home Affairs, Guyana Police Force Force, Guyana Revenue Authority and Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory involved in the investigation and prosecution of firearms crimes.
Following the course, a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) roundtable meeting was held on 30 September, to advance Guyana’s National Action Plan on Firearms (NAP). Guyana’s NAP is part of the implementation of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, supported by UNLIREC and CARICOM IMPACS, to implement actions against illicit firearms trafficking and make the Caribbean a safer region.
Six national representatives, including two women, from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Guyana Police Force, Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Guyana Revenue Authority took part in the roundtable.
During the roundtable, UNLIREC conducted the baseline assessment with Guyana, gathering detailed responses to a matrix of questions. This process allows States to have a robust foundation from which to measure their progress over the course of the Roadmap initiative. UNLIREC also presented the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, which will allow States to track progress on their NAPs and allow monitoring of the implementation of the Roadmap across the region.
The National Ballistics Intelligence Management Course and M&E roundtable contribute to the implementation of Goal 1, “Reinforce regulatory frameworks governing firearms and ammunition” and Goal 3, “Bolster law enforcement capacity to combat illicit firearms and ammunition trafficking and their illicit possession and misuse, and ammunition, and ultimately reducing firearms-related crimes and armed violence in the Caribbean” of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap.
This activity was funded by Canada and supports the implementation of international arms control instruments, in particular the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms.
On 21 September 2022, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), hosted a roundtable meeting in support of Jamaica’s National Action Plan under the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, which focused on privately manufactured firearms and the characteristics of an armed individual respectively.
The roundtable was opened by the UN Resident Coordinator to Jamaica and the Officer in charge of UNLIREC, before presenting participants with an update on the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap.
Following the introductory segment, a presentation was provided on privately manufactured firearms, also known as Ghost Guns. These are unmarked, non-serialized/self-fabricated firearms that are difficult to trace and do not comply with regulations associated with traditionally manufactured firearms. Participants discussed the various tools, materials and operating processes that are used to make illicitly, privately manufactured firearms, and the associated evidence that can be available to law enforcement when investigating cases involving privately manufactured firearms. During the discussions, participants emphasized the need to share information among the forensic labs and investigators to strengthen their capacity to respond to this new phenomenon effectively.
The second presentation and discussion focused on the characteristics of an armed individual. Participants discussed the current Jamaican Firearms Act and the proposed amendments, including who can legally possess a firearm and use a firearm. Participants also discussed the safety of law enforcement officers and other persons when responding to cases of armed violence. This included common factors which law enforcement officers and others should look out for when faced with armed suspects.
The roundtable was attended by twenty-two officials, including fifteen women, from the Ministry of National Security, Jamaica Defence Force, Jamaica Customs Authority, Firearms Licensing Authority, Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine and Jamaica Constabulary Force.
The topics reflected issues of interest identified in Jamaica´s National Action Plan under the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap and the knowledge gained will strengthen the implementation of Goals Goal 2 (Reduce the illicit flow of firearms and ammunition into, within and beyond the region) and 3 (Bolster law enforcement capacity to combat illicit firearms and ammunition trafficking and their illicit possession and misuse) respectively.
The meeting was organized in collaboration with the Government of Jamaica and forms part of the technical assistance provided by UNLIREC under the Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) initiative which aims to reduce violence and the proliferation of illicit firearms in Jamaica.
From 12 to 16 September 2022, United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) in collaboration with the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru, held a Course on Combating Trafficking in Arms and Ammunition (CTAM) for over 43 officers from Peruvian institutions responsible for implementing controls on international transfers, and other national agencies involved in combating illicit trafficking.
Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, Customs, National Police, National Intelligence Directorate, National Superintendence for the Control of Private Security Services, Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives for Civilian Use (SUCAMEC), Military Industry of Peru (FAME) and Army, Navy, and Air Force of Peru participated and shared their experiences and challenges to address this phenomenon.
“We are convinced that this course will open up a space for reflection and discussion to improve capacities in the development and adoption of national measures, as well as the application of good practices that some countries in the region are developing to reinforce the controls of firearms and ammunition, with a view to providing greater security and stability to the population,” said Milagros Winkelried, legal specialist of the Directorate of Security and Defense of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and coordinator of the National Commission against the manufacture and trafficking illicit firearms, ammunition, explosives and other related materials (CONATIAF).
Over the course of five days, presentations and discussions focused on legal and practical responses to arms and ammunition trafficking, including presentations on trafficking trends in Latin America and the Caribbean, different methods used for illicit manufacturing and trafficking in firearms, and the role national control systems and documentation for international transfers of firearms and ammunition play in combatting the problem. The course also touched upon measures which can prevent illicit brokering and mechanisms for international cooperation against illicit trafficking in firearms.
Presentations by the National Intelligence Directorate on national trends and challenges and a briefing by CONATIAF on key activities they are implementing to strengthen Peru´s capacities to prevent, reduce, and combat arms and ammunition trafficking, provided a national context and the backdrop for discussions among participants.
A highlight during the course was the live demonstration of a 3-D printer. This allowed participants to witness first-hand the risks associated with this new form of technology, which is increasingly used to illicitly manufacture firearms and which poses a series of new challenges to national responses to illicit firearms trafficking.
The CTAM course forms part of UNLIREC’s “Combatting Illicit Firearms and Ammunition trafficking in Latin America and the Caribbean” project and was funded by Germany.
For more information on UNLIREC and the support it provides to the 33 States of Latin America and the Caribbean in promoting and enhancing efforts towards global disarmament and international peace and security through regional disarmament efforts, visit www.unlirec.org.
On 29 August and from 5 to 7 September, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Governments of the Bahamas, Barbados and Grenada, carried out a Serial Number Restoration Course.
In the Caribbean, several factors hinder States to trace one hundred percent of its recovered, illicit firearms, including the age of the firearm, ineffective procedures, and the absence of serial numbers on firearms. Obliterating serial numbers on firearms is a common practice for criminals to mask their origin, facilitate trafficking and their illegal use. UNLIREC has been training Caribbean law enforcement and forensic officials to restore obliterated serial numbers to support criminal investigations, successfully trace weapons and even disband trafficking networks.
The recent four-day course consisted of recorded videos, live online demonstrations, as well as the hands-on use of Magnaflux and Chemical Etching to restore/recover serial numbers from firearms that have been submitted for analysis .
Fourteen officials, including three women, from the Royal Grenada Police Force, Barbados Police Service and Royal Bahamas Police Force participated in the training. “[…] we are now better equipped to use this additional technique in restoring obliterated serial numbers not only from firearms but also from vehicles and equipment which carry serial numbers”, a participant noted.
UNLIREC, as the regional centre of the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs, seeks to advance the cause of practical disarmament in Latin America and the Caribbean as part of its commitment to support Member States.
The Regional Serial Number Restoration Course contributes towards the implementation of Goal 3 of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, “Bolster law enforcement capacity to combat illicit firearms and ammunition trafficking and their illicit possession and misuse, and ammunition, and ultimately reducing firearms-related crimes and armed violence in the Caribbean”.
This activity was funded by the United States of America and contributes to the implementation of international disarmament and non-proliferation instruments, in particular, the 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms.
During a course organised by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) held from 21 to 26 August 2022, Colombian authorities shared their experiences in combatting arms and ammunition trafficking.
The course provided a space for inter-institutional exchange including on good practices, as well as on the importance of international cooperation, which is essential to combatting the illicit trade of arms and ammunition in all its aspects to in address its transnational nature.
This Course on Combating Arms and Ammunition Trafficking (CTAM) was delivered in coordination with the Working Group on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of the Directorate General for Multilateral Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia and provided national authorities with theoretical knowledge and necessary technical tools to implement strategies seeking to prevent and combat the illicit trafficking of firearms and their ammunitions in line with international arms control instruments.
The CTAM course was attended by a total of 29 participants representing the Colombian Foreign Ministry, General Command of the Military Forces, National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN), National Intelligence Directorate, National Planning Department (DNP), Attorney General’s Office, Military Industry (INDUMIL), Ministry of National Defence, Ministry of Justice and Law, and the National Police (PONAL).
The CTAM course consists of a series of content-specific modules including general concepts and regional context of illicit trafficking in firearms and ammunition, illicit manufacturing of firearms, control and documentation systems in international transfers, illicit brokering in firearms and ammunition, and tools and mechanisms for international cooperation.
The course encompassed national presentations from the Criminal Investigation and Interpol Directorate of the National Police, as well as the Working Group on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of the Directorate General of Multilateral Political Affairs of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For Columbia, as well as other countries in the region, the illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunitions represents a pressing challenge that puts national and public security at risk.
UNLIREC developed the CTAM course to strengthen States’ capacities in the fight against this transnational crime.
The training will assist Colombia with the implementation of international instruments and commitments in the field of arms control.
The course CTAM was funded by Federal Republic of Germany within the framework of the regional project Combatting the illicit trafficking of arms and ammunitions in Latin America and the Caribbean.
From 15 to 18 August, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Government of Jamaica, carried out the National Ballistics Intelligence Management Course, that contributes to reducing the effects of armed violence and gun crimes by strengthening capacities to combat illicit trafficking in firearms and ammunition.
The 4-day training course covered modules on Firearms and Ammunition identification and classification, Chain of Custody, Sources of Ballistic information, Ballistic information management and analysis and Ballistic Intelligence.
The Ballistics Intelligence Management course benefits law enforcement and other officials involved in the investigation and prosecution of gun crimes; including first responders, criminal investigators, forensic analysts, laboratory technicians, customs officials, intelligence officers, prosecutors, judges and other personnel working with firearms registries.
In Jamaica, twenty-three officials, including eight women, from the Ministry of National Security, Jamaica Constabulary Force, Jamaica Customs Authority and Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine participated in the training.
“[The course] planning and delivery of the practical exercise was very informative. I enjoyed it very much. It demonstrates the collaborative effort that is needed to address the issue of crime and firearms trafficking around the world.”, indicated a participant.
The course sensitizes participants to the importance of the involvement of and interaction between different authorities as part of the evidence management and ballistic intelligence cycle. The training focused in particular on enhancing the role of forensic laboratories in firearms investigations, including the generation of investigative leads and seeks to strengthen the coordination between forensic laboratories and investigative units.
The National Ballistics Intelligence Management Course contributes to the implementation of Goal 3 of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap which seeks to “Bolster law enforcement capacity to combat illicit firearms and ammunition trafficking and their illicit possession and misuse, and ammunition, and ultimately reducing firearms-related crimes and armed violence in the Caribbean.”
UNLIREC is one of three regional centre of the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs and seeks to advance the cause of practical disarmament in Latin America and the Caribbean as part of its commitment to support Member States.
This activity was made possible with funding from the United States of America and contributes to the implementation of international disarmament and non-proliferation instruments, in particular, the 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms.
