The Preparatory Committee for the Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action Conference on to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its Aspects

January 9-20, 2006
United Nations

By Martine Perret. UN photo 59786.

Global Action to Prevent War, alongside multiple NGOs working to eliminate the insidious effects of Small Arms and Light Weapons in countries across the globe, has received accreditation to monitor the process leading up to the 2006 Programme of Action (2001) Review Conference.

To read the resolution on the Programme of Action in its entirety, please click here.

Global Action to Prevent War's position on the issue of Small Arms and Light Weapons:

Point 33 of Global Action's Program Statement addresses Small arms and Light Weapons directly. We call for the of global production and trade of major weapons and small arms by 25 percent.

"Cutbacks in the international traffic in small arms will reduce the likelihood of terrorist attacks and escalation of internal conflicts into mass violence. Similarly, cutbacks in the production and trade of major weapons, which will be facilitated by the freeze and planned cuts in standing armed forces, will help defuse the major regional conflicts that account for nearly three-quarters of the international arms trade.

With a freeze or no-increase commitment in effect, the need for new weapons to replace aging systems will be reduced. This is the ideal time to begin reductions in arms production and trade. In addition, with the exception of hunting or sporting weapons, there should be no arms sales to private groups or individuals; no sales to those engaged in armed conflict unless the Security Council determines that one side is the victim of aggression; no sales to nations with bad human rights records, as determined by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; and no sales to governments that spend more on their armed forces than on health or education (unless certified as exempt because thy are victims of aggression)."

Global Action has been contributing to awareness-raising among NGOs and members of civil society by reporting on the discussion and debate within the UN on Small Arms and Light Weapons. To read the reports on the First Committee on Disarmament and International Security (October 2005) published by Reaching Critical Will, please click on the following:

First Committee SALW Week One
First Committee SALW Week Two
First Committee SALW Week Three
First Committee SALW Week Four
First Committee SALW Final Edition

By Martine Perret. UN photo 64620.

Additional Resources:

Official UN Website for the Preparatory Committee on the Programme of Action for SALW

International Action Network on Small Arms