Feb 6, 2016 | Uncategorized
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) attended the inauguration of the newly renovated arms and ammunition depot of the National Regulatory Entity for Security Service, Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives for Civilian Use (SUCAMEC). The depot was modernized with new furniture and high-security equipment as part of the technical assistance that UNLIREC is providing to SUCAMEC within the framework of its project entitled: Strengthening Oversight and Building Capacities for Small Arms Control and Non-proliferation in the Private Security Sector.
This renovated depot keeps arms and ammunition for civilian use in temporary custody, particularly those belonging to private security companies. A total of 16 clauses of the International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS) and 12 clauses of the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATGs) were incorporated into the redesign and remodelling of the depot, thus allowing for improvements in the physical security, access control, and storage, registration and record-keeping management of the arms and ammunition.
UNLIREC provided expert guidance on the arms depot remodelling process and donated equipment and materials to SUCAMEC, such as steel shelves, metallic doors, high-security padlocks, barcode reader and printer. Furthermore, 28 bullet traps were donated to all SUCAMEC’s offices nationwide, as well as HAZMAT signs that should be placed in the vicinity of ammunition storage as a supplementary security measure. The SUCAMEC’s arms depot is now in compliance with high-security international standards and good practices to ensure proper management of arms depots. The renovated arms depot will serve as a model for other SUCAMEC offices and private security companies nationwide, among other state agencies .
Under the umbrella of UNLIREC’s private security project, the Regional Ceentre promotes international standards on arms and ammunition management by private security companies and SUCAMEC, as a control and regulatory agency responsible for private security services in Peru, in order to prevent diversion, theft, or firearms accidents. This project is implemented by UNLIREC in partnership with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) with the economic support of the Federal Republic of Germany.
UNLIREC supports Latin American and Caribbean States in strengthening public security and the UN Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its Aspects (UN 2001 PoA).
Feb 2, 2016 | Uncategorized
As part of the integral technical assistance package that UNLIREC is delivering in Jamaica for strengthening the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), the UNLIREC team worked together with officials from FBI to provide training for law enforcement officials for the detection and handling of sensitive dual use chemical materials and improvised explosives from 2-4 January 2016 in the country’s capital, Kingston. In particular, this initiative falls under operative paragraph 3 of UNSCR 1540, which calls on States to develop and maintain appropriate effective physical protection measures to account for and secure sensitive materials in production, use, storage or transport.
During the workshop, 30 participants from seven different government agencies, including the Police Force, Defense Force, Customs, Port Authority, among others, had the opportunity to study some of the main chemicals and potential explosive material that is readily available in the island. The theoretical sessions included a basic introduction to explosives and improvised explosives, detection of sensitive chemicals, processing of crime scenes and post blast scenarios. These sessions were further complemented by practical demonstrations at the range, where instructors conducted controlled explosions to demonstrate the potential risks of some of the elements procured.
Issues such as the importance of interagency collaboration for effective border controls, dialogue and outreach with the relevant industry, control lists for dual use chemicals and sustained training were highlighted during the course.
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) is the only UN regional entity specialized in disarmament and non-proliferation in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Its main function is to translate the decisions, instruments and commitments of Member States in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation into action, at national, sub-regional and regional levels.
Jan 12, 2016 | Uncategorized
On 1 December 2016, UNLIREC presented the findings of its study entitled “Less Lethal Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean – Challenges and Opportunities” at the UN Common House in Lima, Peru, to a diverse crowd of governmental agencies, the diplomatic corps, private security companies, civil society, academia, and officials from the Peruvian National Police.
The study analyzes the approaches to less lethal weapons in the region and their role in maintaining public security. It also identifies the main actors, risks, challenges and good practices, as well as the possibility of States to incorporate less lethal weapons into the equipment of security forces and regulate their use by citizens and security companies, all the while respecting international standards of human rights and the use of force. The objective of the research is to contribute to the debate on the legality, feasibility and impact of using these type of weapons.
Less-lethal weapons are devices designed to generate a specific effect that will temporarily neutralize or incapacitate the recipient of the impact without causing death. These types of weapons are used in numerous countries in Latin America and the Caribbean by actors with an institutional mandate to maintain and monitor public order.
The study arises in the context of the institutional mandate of UNLIREC, which links disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control measures with other frameworks to promote peace and security, such as Objective 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 16 urges States to promote peaceful and inclusive societies and to facilitate access to justice, as well as create effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. While Objective 16.4, in particular, calls on States to reduce all types of violence, related death rates, and illicit arms and financial flows.
The event concluded with a dynamic debate on the different aspects to consider when improving regulation and training on less lethal weapons. In particular, the need to incorporate the control and regulation of these type of weapons within the national legal framework, identify which entities should authorize the use of these devices, and determine in which situations these weapons can and should be used.
The development of this study has been possible thanks to the financial support of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany. Through its assistance, UNLIREC supports the Latin American and Caribbean States in the implementation of the United Nations Program of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN PoA 2001).
Jan 12, 2016 | Uncategorized
A simulation exercise on maritime security was carried out by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) from 1 to 2 December in Santo Domingo. The main objective was to support the country in the effective implementation of maritime security measures through active debate and to demonstrate the need for cooperation between government departments and agencies.
A number of scenarios related to maritime security and issues relating to maritime law enforcement were presented. They addressed issues such as: threats to cruise ships; border security aspects affecting ports, airports and land border crossings; possible incidents involving weapons of mass destruction; maritime safety inspections and handling of illicit drug shipments, as well as illicit trafficking in firearms.
The exercise was organized within the context of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004), which is within the mandate of UNLIREC and within the scope of IMO maritime security measures. The resolution addresses the threat of proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, including illicit trafficking, among non-state actors, as well as their means of delivery and related materials.
This activity was made possible thanks to the contribution of the USA. and is preceded by a series of similar events held in other countries in the region led by UNLIREC and IMO, such as Grenada (2014), Trinidad and Tobago and Belize (2015) and Jamaica (June 2016).
Jan 11, 2016 | Uncategorized
From 1-3 November, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) carried out its pilot forensic ballistics collaborative competency testing exercise with the Belize National Forensic Science Service. These exercises form part of the third round of implementation under the framework of the UNLIREC’s Caribbean Operational Forensic Ballistics Assistance Package, which is made possible thanks to the support of the US Department of State and the Government of Canada.
The collaborative exercises are a series of practical and paper-based assessments on the competencies of forensic examination of small arms ammunition, forensic examination of firearms and their components and trigger pull and travel examination. The exercises – based on UNLIREC’s standard operating procedures – were developed as a preparatory step for a regional framework of competency testing. These exercises may also be used as an internal assessment tool for the forensic science institutes and laboratories of the region.
During this process, four forensic analysts from the National Forensic Science Service were assessed. These assessments also support the internal identification of existing gaps in skills, knowledge and procedures within Firearms Units in each State.
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.
Jan 7, 2016 | Uncategorized
A table-top exercise on maritime security has been held in Kingston, Jamaica (30 June-1 July), organized by IMO in collaboration with the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC). The exercise was aimed at stimulating discussions and demonstrating the need for cooperation amongst government departments and agencies using a range of evolving scenarios related to maritime security and maritime law enforcement issues. Scenarios covered included threats to cruise ships, border security issues involving ports, airports and land border crossings, incidents potentially involving weapons of mass destruction, security-related health crisis, environmental threats such as oil spills, maritime safety inspections and dealing with illicit drugs’ consignments.
The event was organized to assist the Government of Jamaica in strengthening national implementation of aspects of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) that fall within the mandate of UNLIREC and the scope of IMO maritime security measures, including those under the International Ship and Port Facilities Security (ISPS) Code and the SUA treaties covering the suppression of unlawful acts against the safety of maritime navigation. Resolution 1540 (2004) addresses the threat of proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, including illicit trafficking in nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, to non-State actors, their means of delivery and related materials.
The exercise follows a series of similar events in other countries in the Caribbean region, conducted by IMO and UNLIREC.
