Oct 26, 2018 | Uncategorized
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) in collaboration with the National Police of Colombia, conducted the Firearms and Ammunition Evidence Management Course (EMC) at the “Simón Bolívar” Police Academy located in Tuluá, Valle del Cauca.
In this edition of the EMC, held for the first time in Colombia, over thirty civil servants from the National Police and the Prosecutor’s Office were trained. During the course they received theoretical and practical training in identifying firearms and ammunition, good practices for ensuring appropriate crime scene management, evidence processing and analysis, as well as the correct application of the chain-of-custody system, among other useful tools to improve investigation processes and intelligence related to cases involving firearms and ammunition.
The course boasted the participation of a varied group of civil servants. Included in the group were patrollers, first responders, experts, police personnel specialized in the areas of criminal and ballistic investigation, as well as regional prosecutors from Valle del Cauca.
As part of the development of EMC and the cross-cutting theme of this course, the importance of incorporating the gender perspective in criminal investigation processes was emphasized. Similarly, participants were urged to strengthen communication and cooperation among all stakeholders in the different stages of judicial investigation in order to optimize their collective and individual efforts in dealing with firearm-related offences. Special attention should be placed on cases of gender-based violence, in this way contributing to a reduction in levels of impunity and an increase in levels of citizen confidence in justice and security institutions.
To conclude, the Director of the “Simón Bolívar” Police Academy, expressed his gratitude to UNLIREC for organizing this course, highlighting the strategic importance this kind of specialized training holds for the National Police. Not only does it align with institutional priorities, but it also contributes to the capacity building of police personnel and other civil servants, allowing them to provide better service to the communities.
This activity was prepared as part of the “Building Momentum for the Regional Implementation of A/RES/65/69 on Women, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Control” project, which is implemented thanks to the financial assistance of the Government of Canada.
Sep 26, 2018 | Uncategorized
From September 26 – October 1, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with Energy Containment Concepts of England, completed the refurbishment, training and handing over of the Indoor Test Firing Range at the Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine, Jamaica.
In 2015, UNLIREC conducted Technical Assessments of the Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine (IFSLM) to determine the Forensic Ballistics Capabilities and Future Requirements of the Governments of Jamaica. The findings of the assessment noted that in the test firing areas of both the IFS and the FLA, internal sound-proofing is required in order to protect the long-term hearing of the personnel responsible for such work.
UNLIREC engaged an internationally recognized leader in the installation of firearm ranges to supply and install acoustic surfacing panels designed to reduce and absorb reflected sound on the perimeter walls and non-skid anti-ricochet rubber mats on the floor.
The refurbished facility would significantly reduce health and safety concerns, boost the morale and efficiency of the Forensic Firearms Examiners, and improve the Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine’s forensic ballistic capacity. Test firing and function testing practices will now take place in a more secure ballistic facility.
The refurbished test firing range is one of several activities provided under the Operational Forensic Ballistic assistance package sponsored by Canada. Other assistance to Jamaica included the donation of Bullettrax bullet analysis equipment, training in forensic ballistic Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the development of an internal testing tool to prepare firearm examiners for proficiency testing and shooting incident reconstruction training.
UNLIREC, as the regional organ of the UN Office for Disarmament, seeks to advance the cause of practical disarmament in Latin America and the Caribbean as part of its commitment to support Member States in their implementation of international disarmament and non-proliferation instruments, in particular, the 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms.
Sep 17, 2018 | Uncategorized
News article to be posted on Monday, 5 November 2018.
Sep 17, 2018 | Uncategorized
News article to be posted on Monday, 5 November 2018.
Aug 23, 2018 | Uncategorized
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) continues to support State efforts to achieve effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Against this backdrop, UNLIREC and Guatemala’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized two workshops. The first aimed at establishing a National Control Authority responsible for ATT implementation (20-21 August) while the second focused on the creation of national control lists in compliance with ATT provisions (23 August). Both workshops targeted national authorities from sectors in charge of controlling conventional arms transfers or from other areas responsible for ATT implementation.
In addition, UNLIREC presented the Treaty obligations regarding the establishment of a national control system. Such a system must include not only a national control authority responsible for evaluating arms transfers but also a national control list.
Guatemala’s current situation was analyzed alongside the ATT obligations at both events. Similar examples were then presented and served as the basis for identifying the model best suited to the country’s needs and resources.
The discussions held during both workshops will continue in September at the roundtable for the development of a national control list, thereby signalling the end of the VTF project’s activities aimed at effective national ATT implementation.
Participants included the Directorate-General for Arms and Ammunition Control (DIGECAM), National Civil Police, Guatemalan Tax Authority (SAT), INTERPOL, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Interior, as well as various departments and divisions of the Ministry of Defence, such as the Military Industry, Ammunition Manufacturing, Restricted Items, Military Equipment and Military Intelligence, etc.
All project-related activities were funded by the ATT Voluntary Trust Fund (VTF), of which Guatemala is a beneficiary and in which UNLIREC, at the request of the Guatemalan authorities, is an implementing partner.
Aug 6, 2018 | Uncategorized
From August 6-9 (Belize) and 13-16 (Guyana), the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with Energy Containment Concepts of England, completed the installation, training and handing over of a 20 ft Containerized Test Firing Range to the National Forensic Science Service (NFSS) of Belize and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) respectively.
In 2015, UNLIREC conducted Technical Assessments of the National Forensic Science Service (NFSS), GPF and Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory to determine the Forensic Ballistics Capabilities and Future Requirements of the Governments of Belize and Guyana. The findings of these assessments noted similar health and safety concerns with the existing test fire facilities in both countries. In Belize, the Assessment highlighted that, test firing facilities presented health and safety issues that needed to be addressed urgently as conditions were potentially very dangerous to staff. Similarly, it was noted that the GPF test fire facilities did not meet any standards, is not fit for purpose and should be addressed immediately.
UNLIREC engaged an internationally recognised leader in the installation of Firearm Ranges to supply and commission a containerized test firing range for both countries. The ranges are lined with ballistic steel, acoustic surfacing panels designed to reduce and absorb reflected sound on the perimeter walls, non-skid anti-ricochet rubber mats on the floor, anti-ricochet ballistic tiles to slow the speed of fired projectiles on the walls and ballistic rubber bullet catchers capable of withstanding up to 5000 shots before replacement.
The cost of the containerized range for each country was US$80,000.00. The new facility would significantly reduce health and safety concerns, boost the morale and efficiency of the Forensic Firearms Examiners, and improve the National Forensic Science Service and Guyana Police Force’s forensic ballistic capacity. Test firing and function testing practices will now take place in secured ballistic facilities.
The supply of the containerized test firing range is one of several activities provided under the Operational Forensic Ballistic assistance package sponsored by Canada (Belize) and by the United States of America (Guyana). Other assistance to Belize and Guyana included a specialized Evidence Management Course, equipment and training in the creation of double casts of bullets and cartridge cases, provision of forensic ballistic Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the development of Collaborative Exercises to prepare firearm examiners for proficiency testing.
UNLIREC, as the regional organ of the UN Office for Disarmament, seeks to advance the cause of practical disarmament in Latin America and the Caribbean as part of its commitment to support Member States in their implementation of international disarmament and non-proliferation instruments, in particular, the 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms.
