On 5 October 2021, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) held its first working thematic meeting for the Dominican Republic to discuss Goal 1 of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap: reinforce regulatory frameworks governing firearms and ammunition.
Following the National Executive Seminar on the Firearms Roadmap held in July, authorities expressed their interest in receiving assistance related to Goals 1 and 4, including legal assistance for the ongoing firearms regulation drafting process, specifically the inclusion of related technical specifications, norms and standards.
During the meeting, UNLIREC provided an overview of Goal 1, including the international obligations and the technical recommendations on firearms control that States must consider in relation to the Caribbean Roadmap. The link with Goal 4 “Systematically decrease the risk of diversion of firearms and ammunition from government and non-government-owned arsenals” was also highlighted, as it encompasses the implementation of legal obligations (such as for destruction or marking), and therefore has both regulatory and technical implications. A national presentation was delivered on the ongoing regulation drafting process and the potential areas for assistance and collaboration with UNLIREC.
The Roadmap for Implementing The Caribbean Priority Actions on the Illicit Proliferation of Firearms and Ammunition across the Caribbean in a Sustainable Manner by 2030 (Caribbean Firearms Roadmap), builds on Caribbean aspirations to combat illicit trafficking of firearms and enhance resilience, through support from UNLIREC, CARICOM IMPACS and other international partners, in coordination with the governments of Germany, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
This first working thematic Meeting on Goal 1, was carried out in line with 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Sustainable Development Goal 16.4 and contributes towards regional efforts to prevent illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition.
This meeting was generously sponsored by the Federal Republic of Germany.
From 27 September to 1 October 2021, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) delivered its Interdicting Small Arms, Ammunition, Parts and Components (ISAAPC) course in virtual modality. Twenty-nine (29) officials, including 16 women, from Jamaica Customs Agency, Jamaica Constabulary Force, Port Security Corps, and Ministry of National Security actively participated in the course. This course was delivered to Jamaica for the first time.
The ISAAPC course forms part of the technical assistance provided by UNLIREC within its ‘Combating of illicit Firearms and Ammunition Trafficking in the Caribbean’ project. The specialized course aims to strengthen the capacities of States to combat and prevent the illicit trafficking of small arms, ammunition and explosives that is carried out through postal shipments, packages, parcels, and luggage at entry, exit, and transit points in the country.
Based on a theoretical-practical methodology, the participants received specialized training on the fundamental aspects of X-ray technology, technical specifications of small arms, their parts and components, ammunition, and explosives. The course also included an interactive session on concealment methods being employed by traffickers in the region. Furthermore, participants received practical training on an X-ray simulation program developed by the Centre for Adaptive Security Research and Applications (CASRA), thereby enhancing and developing their capacities to detect illicit trafficking through X-ray scanners.
This specialized course, developed in line with 2001 UN Porgramme of Action on Small Arms, Arms Trade Treaty and Sustainable Development Goal 16.4, contributes to regional efforts to prevent illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition, thereby reducing firearms-related crimes and armed violence in the Caribbean.
The implementation of the ISAAPC course was made possible thanks to the financial support from the United States of America.
From 6-10 September 2021, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) delivered its Interdicting Small Arms, Ammunition, Parts and Components (ISAAPC) course in virtual modality to close to 20 law enforcement officials from the St. Kitts and Nevis Customs and Excise Department, Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force.
The ISAAPC course forms part of the technical assistance provided by UNLIREC within its ‘Combating of illicit Firearms and Ammunition Trafficking in the Caribbean’ project. The specialized course aims to strengthen the capacities of States to combat and prevent the illicit trafficking of small arms, ammunition and explosives that is occurring through postal shipments, packages, parcels and luggage at entry, exit, and transit points in the country.
Based on a theoretical-practical methodology, the participants received specialized training on the fundamental aspects of X-ray technology, technical specifications of small arms, their parts and components, ammunition, explosives, and less lethal weapons. The course also included an interactive session on concealment methods being employed by traffickers in the region. Furthermore, participants received practical training on an X-ray simulation program developed by the Centre for Adaptive Security Research and Applications (CASRA), thereby enhancing and developing their capacities to detect illicit trafficking through X-ray scanners.
This specialized course, developed in line with 2001 UN Porgramme of Action on Small Arms, Arms Trade Treaty and Sustainable Development Goal 16.4, contributes towards regional efforts to prevent illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition, thereby reducing firearms-related crimes and armed violence in the Caribbean.
The implementation of the ISAAPC course was made possible thanks to the financial support from the United States of America.
On 18-20 August 2021, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), with the financial support of the Arms Trade Treaty Voluntary Trust Fund (VFT), held a virtual workshop for Chilean customs officers to strengthen their capacities to prevent and combat illicit firearms trafficking.
During this three-day workshop, UNLIREC presented the context, characteristics, and trends of illicit trafficking of firearms in Latin America and the Caribbean and identified the methods commonly used for illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, highlighting the fact that the use of new technologies poses a challenge for national authorities and are increasing the risk of firearms proliferation.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) likewise delivered presentations on intelligence tools available for States; documents associated with international transfers, such as end-user certificates and shipment documentation; document cross-examination techniques and procedures as means to prevent diversion and to identify illicit transfers. Authorities of the National Customs Service also presented relevant cases of illicit firearms trafficking detected by customs officials.
This workshop, in which over 90 customs officers from different parts of the country participated, highlighted the important role played by customs in the prevention and combat of illicit firearms trafficking.
The United Nations Regional Center for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in coordination with the government of Panama, conducted the virtual version of the Interception Course of Arms, Ammunition, Parts and Components (ISAAPC) from August 2 to 6.
The objective of CIAMP is to work with the States of the region in their efforts to reduce and prevent the diversion and illicit trafficking of firearms, ammunition, parts, components and explosives that occur through postal shipments, parcels, packages and luggage, providing specific training for its identification using X-ray technology.
The course is aimed at X-ray scanner operators and support personnel with control and inspection responsibilities at points of entry, exit and transit. This edition had the participation of close to 30 officials belonging to the National Customs Authority, Ministry of the Presidency, National Police, National Border Service and National Aeronaval Service of Panama.
For five days, through a theoretical and practical methodology, the participants received specialized training on the identification of weapons, their parts, components, ammunition and explosives and had access to the training platform developed by the Center for Adaptive Security Research and Applications (CASRA) which has a library of threat images prepared by UNLIREC.
This specialized course, developed in line with the United Nations Program of Action on Small Arms, the Arms Trade Treaty and Sustainable Development Goal 16.4, contributes to regional efforts to prevent illicit trafficking in firearms and ammunition, and thus reduces crime related to firearms and armed violence in the Caribbean.
The implementation of this project is possible thanks to the financial support of the Government of Germany.
From 12-23 July 2021, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Guatemalan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a Specialised course on firearms investigations from a gender perspective (FIGP) to close to 30 officials.
Thanks to the cooperation of the Ministry of the Interior, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Judicial Studies School, an interinstitutional group was formed, consisting of officials from the women’s office and the office against femicide; judges from the femicide court, violence against women, and sexual violence; investigators from the National Police, specifically from the femicide department, Department for Crimes against Life, and the division specialising in criminal investigation.
The course, as well as helping to sensitize participants on the importance of incorporating a gender perspective into tackling crimes committed with firearms, strengthens the technical knowledge of the scientific method of criminal investigation and interinstitutional cooperation in these fields.
The diverse nature of the group emphasized one of FIGP’s objectives: strengthening staff coordination and cooperation to optimize individual and collective efforts to tackle crimes related to violence against women and firearms.
The course was carried out virtually and separated into six interactive conferences, in which participants could present their experiences and converse with UNLIREC instructors. Theoretical and technical aspects of criminal investigation were discussed in detail, as well as the way in which the gender perspective as a method of analysis helps us reach conclusions free from stereotypes, grounded in objective technical or scientific studies that are based on relevant theory. Case studies were conducted to highlight the absence of a gender perspective, which violates the rights of victims and their families.
During the training, emphasis was placed on the use of firearms to commit different types of violence against women, not only as a murder weapon, but also as a means to threaten, intimidate and coerce. The training stressed the importance of the correct management of a crime scene and of firearms and ammunition as physical evidence in investigations from a gender perspective. The course shared good practices with participants and urged them to strengthen interaction and cooperation across the different stages of judicial investigation, to optimize individual and collective efforts to tackle crimes related to firearms with special attention given to cases of gender-based violence. This helps to reduce levels of impunity and improves justice and security institutions.
This course forms part of the ‘Support for the integration of the gender perspective in policies, programmes and action in the fight against trafficking and the misuse of small arms’ project, funded by the European Union.
