Report on the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons Within the Commonwealth

Summary

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Introduction. Small arms and light weapons as a commonwealth priority. United nations programme of action. Recent initiatives and developments. States' existing obligations under international law. Common approaches to addressing salw problems. Considering the role of the commonwealth secretariat. Action by Law Ministers.

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Report on the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons Within the Commonwealth

Executive summary

1. The widespread availability, unregulated transfer and misuse of small arms and light weapons (SALW) gravely undermine key Commonwealth priorities in human rights, development, conflict prevention and strengthening democracy. Many Commonwealth governments are adversely affected by the uncontrolled flow and misuse of these weapons.

2. Concerns about excessive and destabilising accumulation of weapons have been consistently raised by Commonwealth Heads of Government, including in the 2003 Abuja Communiqué where Heads of Government voiced their concern about the "proliferation of small arms, ammunition, and light weapons, which had contributed to the intensity and duration of armed conflicts as well as to international terrorism".

3. SALW have also been a priority for member states through their participation in the United Nations. In 2001 a Programme of Action (PoA) was adopted with recommendations for action at the national, regional and global levels.

4. While the PoA provides a framework from which member states can take action to control SALW, a number of national, regional and international agreements and initiatives have also been launched to address these problems. From these initiatives, common approaches have emerged including: the need to make changes to domestic criminal laws and other legislation; the need for the development of minimum standards; ensuring harmonisation of legislation in geographic regions; and co-operation among states.

5. The Secretariat is strategically poised to play a significant role in further advancing the progress that has been made and to ensure that states can follow through with the commitments they have made to control the transfer and use of SALW. Law Ministers are invited to consider th...

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