Jun 8, 2014 | Uncategorized
Within the framework of the United Nations Joint Program “Strengthening Human Security and Community Resilience by Fostering Peaceful Co-Existence in Peru” the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in close cooperation with the National Superintendence for the Control of Security Services, Arms, Ammunition and Explosives for Civilian Use (SUCAMEC) carried out a Technical Workshop for Officials of Special Operations against the Illegal Trafficking of Firearms from 6th to 8th August 2014 in Lima.
The Joint Program – implemented by five agencies of the United Nations System – supports the regional authorities of La Libertad province in districts highly affected by violence and crime through diverse initiatives of prevention, public health and improvements in public security services and justice. Within this Program, UNLIREC is leading activities to strengthen regional and local capacities for illicit trafficking and possession of firearms.
In this context, UNLIREC and SUCAMEC joined efforts to develop a program of capacity development directed at those officials involved in operations against illicit trafficking of firearms. The first workshop took place in Lima with the aim of being validated and will be replicated in the upcoming months in Trujillo.
This workshop focused on examining the nature of trafficking and illicit possession of firearms and ammunition in Peru and on strengthening the technical skills of those officials working in arms control. As a result of the workshop, 18 representatives of SUCAMEC and of the National Police of Peru were trained.
Topics included the definition and classification of firearms and ammunition, modalities of illegal arms and ammunition trafficking, stockpile management, national norms and the chain of custody of evidence as related to arms and ammunition, as well as crime scene management in the case of trafficking and illicit possession of firearms. Participants were able to combine theory with practical exercises.
This activity was made possible thanks to the financing of the United Nations Human Security Trust Fund and SUCAMEC. Through its assistance programs, UNLIREC supports States in Latin America and the Caribbean in improving public security and implementing the United Nations Program of Action to Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all of its Aspect (UN PoA 2001).
For more information on UNLIREC visit (www.unlirec.org.) Please direct all questions or inquiries to: Ms Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer, at (cowl@unlirec.org).
Jun 3, 2014 | Uncategorized
The Government of Colombia, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons (BTWC) Implementation Support Unit, organized a workshop on the sharing of best practices related to the creation of national authorities in charge of the implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). The seminar was held in Bogotá on March 6th and 7th 2014.
UNLIREC, along with international experts from the European Union, Chile, Ecuador, Argentina, Spain and the Verification Research, Training and Information Centre (VERTIC), exchanged ideas with representatives of Colombian public and private institutions and organizations on constitution, design, and duties of a special National Authority in charge of the effective application and implementation of the BWC and discussed the main challenges in terms of promoting confidence-building measures and handling measures for biosecurity and biocustody.
UNLIREC presented key findings on the article published in 2013 on both regional and global experiences about the creation of national authorities designed for the implementation of the BWC. Debates over the formation of intergovernmental commissions and/or national authorities were of particular relevance based on the fact that the Republic of Colombia is currently making legal efforts to establish such entity. Furthermore, participants had the opportunity to learn more about experiences from other countries, some of which already have specific national authorities while others only have different agencies dealing with this issue, in terms of duties, characteristics and challenges.
The participation of UNLIREC in this workshop is part of the technical and legal assistance provided by UNLIREC in the implementation of international instruments on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
For more information about UNLIREC, visit its web page [www.unlirec.com]. For any questions, contact Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer, at [cowl@unlirec.org].
May 28, 2014 | Uncategorized
In response to a request from the Government of Guyana for specialized training to help its judicial sectors address the illicit trafficking in small arms, ammunition and explosives, and – in effect – contribute to a reduction in impunity and armed violence, UNLIREC undertook a national course for judicial officers and legal practitioners from 28-30 May 2014 in Georgetown.
The specialized course trained 28 legal practitioners and law enforcement authorities on different techniques and procedures to combat illicit small arms trafficking, thus strengthening the coordination, communication and cooperation of all relevant legal operators working in this area as well as reducing impunity in firearms related-crimes.
Representatives from the Director of Public Prosecutions Chambers, Attorney-General´s Chambers & Ministry of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Guyana Police Force, and Guyana Forensics Science Laboratory were trained during this three-day course. Half of course participants were women, which represents an important step towards women empowerment in the justice and security sector, including training.
International instructors and national experts were in charge of delivering the various course modules dealing with firearms and ammunition classification; firearms proliferation and armed violence; international firearms instruments and national regulatory frameworks; inter-institutional and international cooperation; crime scene management and forensic ballistics. With the goal of applying the knowledge acquired, participants concluded the training course with a practical exercise consisting of a mock trial case involving illicit firearms trafficking and possession. The practical exercise highlighted how the proper handling of the crime scene, respect for the chain of custody, inter-institutional and international cooperation tools and resources, and a suitable criminal legal framework constitute essential elements in reducing impunity in the fight against illicit small arms trafficking.
This training course forms part of a wider UNLIREC Caribbean assistance package in operation since 2010. The assistance package contains activities aimed at improving stockpile management and weapons and ammunition destruction practices; providing legal assistance; and training security sector officials. This assistance was made possible with the financial support from the United States Government.
As the Regional Centre of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, UNLIREC serves 33 States in the region in assisting them in the development of disarmament policies and the implementation of international disarmament instruments, most notably the UN 2001 Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
For more information on UNLIREC visit (www.unlirec.org.) Please direct all questions or inquiries to: Ms Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer, at (cowl@unlirec.org).
May 22, 2014 | Uncategorized
Trujillo, 22 May 2014 – The United Nations System in Peru presents today a joint programme in human security in the city of Trujillo whose objective will be to reduce public insecurity in its various manifestations – organized crime, violence against women and the involvement of youths in criminal activities – as well as fight against corruption.
The presentation of the programme entitled Strengthening Human Security and Community Resilience via the impulse of Peaceful Coexistence in Peru will be headed by Walter Albán, Interior Minister, and Flavio Mirella, Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). In addition, local and national authorities will be attending the event.
The programme assumes a multisectoral vision of the issue of urban security and will be implemeted in the districts La Esperanza, Florencia de Mora and El Porvenir. It is expected that some 7,600 persons in these communities will benefit from the activities. The initiative will implement a selfsustainable, multisectoral, comprehensive and replicable model in order to reduce crime in Trujillo, involving the participation of neighbours, application of preventive measures and opportunities for jobs and education.
Against the increase in violent crime, juvenile delinquency, drug trafficking, human trafficking, corruption and weapons supply, this United Nations programme and the Peruvian Government seek to reduce the participation of youths in gangs, provide opportunities for professional and vocational development, as well as offer educational and health-related resources for more than 1,600 girls and young women.
Also, the initiative, led by the Joint Programme for Human Security of the United Nations in Peru, will provide technical and juridical assistance to the local authorities for the design and implementation of public policies that consider a comprehensive vision of security and that favor a better interaction between the national institutions and the local communities, as well as with civil society.
Five United Nations agencies will be in charge of implementation: the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Panamerican Health Organization (OPS) and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development (UNLIREC).
For the Peruvian government, the Ministries of the Interior, Justice, Education and Health as well as the Public Ministry, the judicial branch, the national police and the regional government of La Libertad as well as the municipalities of Trujillo, La Esperanza, Florencia de Mora, El Porvenir and representatives of civil society will participate.
The Project is financed by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security and by the Peruvian Government and will have a duration of three years. The initiative is expected to be replicable in other sectors of the region and the country.
Source: United Nations Information Centre
May 12, 2014 | Uncategorized
UNLIREC was invited by the Peruvian Congress to participate in a roundtable on small arms control and citizen security during the first week of December 2014. This roundtable was comprised of representatives from a diverse range of public institutions, small arms experts, small arms users, academics and other members of civil society who were given the opportunity to share their perspectives on the role of small arms control within the context of citizen security issues.
UNLIREC’s interventions, led by Dr. Godnick, Public Security Programme Coordinator, focused on the importance of a national strategy for small arms control based on four pillars: control and transparency in the legal small arms control trade; strengthening of institutions and their personnel to better combat illicit small arms trafficking; responsible management of national stockpiles; and a robust legal framework on the possession and use of small arms.
In addition, UNLIREC made recommendations on the new bill of law formulated by the National Superintendence for the Control of Security Services, Arms, Ammunition and Explosives for Civilian Use (SUCAMEC), acknowledging the positive aspects within the new bill, such as prohibiting the recirculation of small arms, the marking of small arms upon importation, and a call to destroy small arms used in illicit activities once the legal proceedings on these cases have been concluded. Furthermore, UNLIREC suggested addressing some of the gaps within the bill, including definitions and specification of criminal conducts as related to parts and components, illicit manufacturing, illicit trafficking and the altering of small arms markings. The final recommendation stressed the need and importance of regulating ammunition.
The new bill of law will be the subject of debate in upcoming legislative sessions. UNLIREC supports the Government of Peru in its efforts to implement international instruments on conventional arms control, including small arms and light weapons.
For more information on UNLIREC visit [www.unlirec.org]. Please direct all questions or inquiries to: Ms. Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer, [cowl@unlirec.org].
Apr 3, 2014 | Uncategorized
On 4 March 2014, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) held a legal seminar on implementing the international firearms agreements in Belmopan. The seminar was addressed to legal affairs officials from the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Attorney’s General Ministry, the Department of Public Prosecutions, Magistrates Court, Belize Police Department and National Forensic Science Services.
UNLIREC presented a comparative analysis between Belize’s legislation with existing international firearms obligations highlighting the progressive elements and crossed-checking and referencing against the country’s obligations under the various firearms-related international instruments, including the UN 2001 PoA on Small Arms and Light Weapons; UN Firearms Protocol; CIFTA Convention; and the International Tracing Instrument. UNLIREC also offered its legal expertise on the subject matter to conduct an assessment on future proposed amendments to the national firearms act and other relevant legislation, if the Government deems this appropriate.
This legal seminar aims at strengthening national efforts to implement the firearms international agreements, as well as accelerating national review and reform processes needed to modernize the national firearms acts and other related legislation, as well as reduce legal loopholes that can be used by criminals to commit firearms-related offenses.
Different State agencies discussed firearms legal frameworks and shared information and anecdotes on how the laws are being enforced in practice and what law enforcement agents – who are operationalizing the laws – perceive as the challenges and gaps posed by national legislation (e.g. low penalty charges, insufficient search and seizure powers, and lack of criminalization of certain firearms-related activities, among others).
This activity was made possible thanks to the financial support of the United States Government.
For more information on UNLIREC visit (www.unlirec.org.) Please direct all questions or inquiries to: Ms Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer, at (cowl@unlirec.org).
